WESTAF is now Creative West. Read all about it.

Mark Sink Retrospective Exhibition Opening - Patricia McCrystal
Mark Sink Retrospective Exhibition Opening - Patricia McCrystal

Photo Credit Patricia McCrystal

Our Work

Advocacy for the Arts

We amplify the work of creative organizations by building arts policy systems that can be delivered anywhere and invest in and strengthen state and federal-level advocacy to support public-sector involvement in the arts. We partner with coalitions and regional and national networks to connect and mobilize artists, administrators, public officials, advocates and influencers to build awareness of arts-related issues and drive action on legislative and regulatory change.

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Policy Priorities

The arts and cultural policy and advocacy landscape is sprawling and complex, with numerous potential policy issues and decision-making taking place at every level of government. In ongoing dialogue with our stakeholders and partners, Creative West has identified several key policy priorities: supporting local, state, and federal cultural agencies; bolstering the creative economy and creative workers; advancing equity and justice; and investing in creative infrastructure.

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Action Center

Creative West provides the latest advocacy updates, drives impactful campaigns, and monitors state and federal legislation. In our grassroots advocacy action center, we rally arts advocates, track the moves that matter, and keep you in the know every step of the way.

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Advocacy Partners

Creative West works in partnership with the broader arts, nonprofit, and creative industries sectors to strengthen public-sector involvement in the arts. As a leading member of national coalitions like the Cultural Advocacy Group, BIPOC Led Arts Advocacy Coalition, Creative States Coalition, National Arts Policy Alliance, and Grantmakers in the Arts Policy Committee, we’re connected with partners both regionally and nationally on year-round advocacy efforts.

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State Advocacy Funds

For over a decade, WESTAF has distributed funds (generated from its earned income) to each state in the West to support advocacy on behalf of the state’s arts agency. From essential capacity-building support for state arts advocacy organizations and funding top-tier advocacy work and training and cutting-edge public affairs technology to organizing arts advocacy days and summits, our goal is to provide each state with funds to meet their needs and support their unique advocacy activities.

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Western Arts Advocacy Network (WAAN)

With the support of Creative West, the Western Arts Advocacy Network (WAAN) was founded in 2020 and brings together leaders from statewide arts advocacy organizations and key advocates from across the West to share best practices, build advocacy capacity, and support arts advocacy.

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Arts Leadership and Advocacy Seminar

The Arts Leadership and Advocacy Seminar empowers arts leaders with the tools and knowledge to effectively engage in federal advocacy for the arts. Engage with policymakers, learn best practices, and build strategies to support and advance the arts in your community and nationwide through our learning opportunities and biannual fly-in to Washington, D.C.

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Go For Broke - Four Rivers Cultural Center

Photo Credit Four Rivers Cultural Center

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Photo Credit Blake Jackson

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Copyright Lila Lee

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Photo Credit Blake Jackson

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Pacific Jurisdictions

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Photo credit: Ceylon Mitchell

ARTS ADVOCACY WORK

By the Numbers

In FY24, Creative West invested over $1.1 million in direct funding to support regional and national arts infrastructure (advocacy, policy, and programming) through the State Arts Agency Innovation Fund, Pacific Initiative Funds, State Advocacy Funds, FestPAC Delegation Support Program, Performing Arts Discovery, and Greater Bay Area Arts and Cultural Advocacy Coalition Organizing and Policy Fellowships.

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Arts advocates brought together in Washington DC for the 2023 Arts Leadership and Advocacy Seminar

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Consulting projects for state arts agencies, state governments, and advocacy partners in our region since 2021

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Meetings with advocacy groups & lobbyists since 2021 in our region

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U.S. House & Congressional meetings in our region in 2023

Web Services powered by

Creative West

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CaFÉ is an online application submission system that strives to make art opportunities available to all by offering arts organizations an affordable submission platform and artists an easy way to apply.

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GO Smart is an affordable grants management software that offers pre- and post-application forms, panel reviewing, and data reporting for grantmakers.

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The Public Art Archive (PAA) is a free, searchable, and continually growing online database of completed public artworks throughout the U.S. and abroad, with a suite of resources and tools built for managing public art collections.

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ZAPP provides art fair and festival administrators with a suite of tools to digitally collect and jury applications, manage booth payments, and communicate with applicants all in one easy-to-use digital platform. Artists can apply to hundreds of shows nationwide through a central website.