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.
Major projects in recent years include:
- The development of the State of Washington’s Creative Economy Strategic Plan for the Department of Commerce
- A national study of the creative economy and economic recovery in collaboration with the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies
- A Creative Industry Visioning Session for the Utah Cultural Alliance, Utah Division of Arts and Museums, and Utah Department of Cultural and Community Engagement, engaging arts and cultural leaders across the state
- Two phases of strategic plan implementation processes with the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts
- Facilitation of the planning process for Washington’s statewide arts education partnership, ArtsforAll.
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.
Economic Models for Creativity
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.
Creative Economies and Economic Recovery Study
Social Infrastructure for Creativity
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.
Arts and the Rural West Seminar Report
Cultural Contexts for Creativity
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
Creative West
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.