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Arts advocacy isn’t easy. Despite the challenges facing arts and culture today, ALAS created a powerful moment to unite our region and champion the value of creativity in shaping communities. Now more than ever, lending our voices to arts advocacy can inspire change and ensure a sustained cultural landscape for future generations. We all want to feel more informed, empowered, and supported—and know we’re not tackling it alone. The good news? Advocating for the arts doesn’t have to be intimidating.
Staying informed on key issues affecting arts and culture and being surrounded by community can make all the difference. Don’t just take our word for it—explore how this important transformative work comes to life.
Where It Began
Since 2011, Creative West has brought together arts advocates from the 13 western states—including members of the Leaders of Color Alumni Network, the Western Arts Advocacy Network, and our Board of Trustees—for a two-day seminar in Washington, D.C., also known as the Arts Leadership and Advocacy Seminar or ALAS.
During the seminar, participants engage with members of Congress and their staff on Capitol Hill, engage with policymakers, learn best practices, and build strategies to support and advance the arts at a local and national level.
Guided by our mission to make the arts accessible to every community, ALAS has become a cornerstone in our efforts to unite arts advocates and share knowledge with the field. Since its inception, the seminar has grown and empowered hundreds of leaders, amplifying their voices and driving meaningful change in their communities.
Moving Minds, Changing Spaces: ALAS 2025
This year’s ALAS was held March 3-5, 2025. It was especially exciting as we welcomed our friends from the Pacific jurisdictions (PJs), including American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). As first-time participants, the PJs brought fresh perspectives, enriched discussions, and deepened knowledge-sharing on key issues. They also had the chance to connect, exchange ideas, and learn from others’ experiences.
Over two days, 98 participants engaged in 71 meetings with congressional offices from 13 states and three Pacific jurisdictions. The first session, on March 3, explored federal-state partnerships in the arts. On March 4, participants delved into what arts advocacy looked like in the 199th Congress.
On the seminar’s second day, participants gathered for a closing reception to share insights from their meetings with congressional staff and discuss the next steps in advancing arts advocacy in their states. Many shared personal stories about how the arts have impacted them, their families, and communities, spanning regions, states, and the nation. The evening was filled with gratitude, determination, and meaningful knowledge-sharing about what resonated most with policymakers. Their voices tell the story best.
Jessi Wasson, Deputy Director & WAAN Chair, Washington inspirieren
“Advocacy for the arts broadly is important because artists don’t have the time to do so for themselves, and of course, we always want to invite artists into that work, but they also need a voice when they cannot be there themselves. Thank you, Creative West, because none of this would be possible if you guys weren’t here. Most of us are very small, little organizations, some of which are completely volunteer-run, and we do not have the funds or resources to come to D.C. and do this work that is so important to every community in our state, so to have someone like Creative West bring us here making it so easy, affordable, and doable is incredible.“
Andrea Hansen, Executive Director, Kern Dance Alliance
“Once I graduated from grad school, I spent a lot of time lobbying on behalf of the Americans for the Arts. I was walking the halls of the Capitol building and meeting with legislators, and that was 20 years ago, so to be back here doing that same work in a different capacity in a place where I’m so passionate about not only about my work but my hometown, it’s heartwarming that I’m here. Thank you for having me!”
Claire Blaylock, Operations Director, Cultural Advocacy Coalition Foundation of Oregon
“Advocacy is important because it gives arts leaders and artists a chance to draw attention to the impact of their work. Arts is not extra and it’s not optional, it’s essential. Having conversations about impact with people who have the ability to make decisions is absolutely vital.”
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David Holland, Deputy Director, Kreativer Westen
“Arts advocacy is essential—now more than ever. While this moment demands urgency, advocacy has always been a sustained and vital effort. Without it, the rich landscape of arts and cultural experiences across the Creative West region and the nation would not exist as we know it.
ALAS is one of the most dynamic and impactful ways we demonstrate that coalition-building across ideological lines and lived experiences is not only possible but also essential to the vitality of our sector and the strength of our democracy.”
How to Get Involved
ALAS is able to thrive because of the incredible energy and dedication of its participants. From joining congressional meetings to engaging directly with legislators, the voices of our region play a crucial role in advocating for arts and culture. This network continues to grow, demonstrating the power of collaboration and collective action.
Advocating for the arts is a commitment. This work is ongoing, and you might wonder how to get involved and make a difference in your own community. You’re not alone. Here are a few ways to get started:
- Contact Your City Officials
Your city leaders are often the first step in creating change locally. Reach out to your mayor, city council members, or cultural departments to express the importance of arts programs in your community. Share stories and data about how the arts positively affect your area’s education, economy, and community well-being.
- Find and Contact Your State Representatives
Use our Quorum page to locate and contact your state representatives. This tool makes it easy to identify who represents you and how to share your views on arts funding and policies. Clear communication with state-level policymakers can help shape budgets and legislation that impact the arts.
- Join or Support Arts Advocacy Organizations
Many organizations work tirelessly to keep the arts thriving. Joining a group or supporting their efforts with your time or donations can amplify arts advocacy campaigns. Whether it’s a state-based advocacy network or a national group like Amerikaner für die Künste, your involvement helps build momentum.
- Engage in Grassroots Efforts
Host or attend community events focused on the arts. Grassroots movements are powerful because they’re personal and bring people together. You can lend your voice to spotlight the importance of arts and culture and the need for sustained support they provide to the creative economy. From art walks to advocacy workshops, mentoring programs to city council meetings, community voices are most powerful together.
- Share Resources
Advocacy starts with knowing the facts. Read the latest reports and data about arts impacts and share resources like webinars, reports, or advocacy guides with your networks to broaden awareness and action.
Together, We Achieve More
On behalf of everyone at Creative West, we want to give a shout-out to all the participants who have attended ALAS since the program launched 14 years ago, and a big welcome to the new faces who joined us this year and the many future participants who will continue to grow and shape this incredible community.
Let’s keep envisioning, creating, and striving toward a future where the arts are accessible to everyone. Together, this vital work will continue to inspire generations to come.
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