Explore Our Impact Map
Creative West champions creativity and culture across our region and beyond. We are committed to supporting the arts, culture, and the creative economy by being a thought partner through consulting services, research, and strategic initiatives that enrich our communities through public policy and organizational practice innovation.
Photo credit: Ceylon Mitchell
Creative West has long offered consulting services to member states and national colleagues on special projects, studies, and strategic responses to unexpected challenges. With years of professional expertise blended with a touch of creativity, the organization has undertaken nearly 150 consulting projects for state arts agencies in the West and other state and national clients since 1997.
Historical projects include an organizational assessment of the Wyoming Arts Council; implementing operating efficiencies at the California Arts Council; a statewide arts education assessment covering Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming; and the development of Alaska Cultural Trust scenarios for governance and funds allocation.
Since 2020, Creative West has completed nearly 70 consulting engagements with state and national partners including, policy and legislative analyses, program reviews, research briefs, and consultation on selecting public affairs consultants.
Creative West is at the forefront of exploring more equitable economic models that foster creativity. By understanding and promoting the economic value of the arts, we contribute to sustainable growth and community resilience.
We believe in nurturing social infrastructure that supports creativity across diverse communities. Our initiatives aim to build inclusive cultural environments that empower artists and engage the public.
Discover key findings from our seminar on enhancing arts access and engagement in rural communities.
Explore how cultural contexts influence creativity and innovation. Creative West’s research and initiatives highlight the cultural diversity that enriches our creative landscape.
Delve into our research findings on cultural dynamics and their impact on creative expression.
Web Services powered by
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.
GO Smart is an affordable grants management software that offers pre- and post-application forms, panel reviewing, and data reporting for grantmakers.
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.
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.
