WESTAF is now Creative West. Read all about it.

Our Work

Events & Convenings

Creative West events and convenings unite our wide-ranging networks to foster a thriving arts and culture sector across our region and beyond.

Explore our dynamic events and join us in shaping the future of arts and culture.

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Point of Contact

Brittany Howell, she/her/hers

Events Manager

brittany.h@wearecreativewest.org

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External Event

Creative Vitality Summit

The Creative Vitality™ Summit is a signature event dedicated to exploring the intersection of arts, culture, creative economy, and economic, social, and technological change. This summit convenes artists, government and philanthropic leaders, and other creative professionals for insightful discussions, dynamic networking opportunities, and collaborative sessions to enhance creative vitality within our communities.

Join us in engaging with thought-provoking panels and contributing to the collective effort to foster a thriving creative sector.

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External Event

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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External Event

Greater Bay Area Arts and Culture Advocacy Coalition

The Greater Bay Area Arts and Culture Advocacy Coalition brings together diverse voices from the arts and culture sector in the Greater Bay Area to advocate for equitable policies that support artists, arts and cultural organizations, and communities in the region. Participate in this collaborative effort to influence cultural policy and funding.

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Internal Convening

Executive Director Forums

The Executive Director Forums provide a platform for executive leaders of state arts agencies to share experiences, discuss challenges, and explore innovative approaches to cultural policy. These forums foster peer learning and collaboration among this vital leadership network.

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Internal Convening

Board Meetings

Creative West’s Board Meetings are essential for governance, strategic planning, and decision-making. Our Board of Trustees meets in locations throughout the region and connects with the communities we serve during these important gatherings. Attend or review the outcomes of these important gatherings to stay informed about the latest developments and initiatives.

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Photo Credit Blake Jackson

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Photo credit: Ceylon Mitchell

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Photo Credit Creative West

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Photo Credit Ifong Chen

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Photo Credit Ceylon Mitchell

Looking Back

Arts + the Rural West Seminar

The Arts + the Rural West Seminar explored the unique challenges and opportunities for the arts in rural communities in the West. This seminar highlighted innovative approaches to fostering cultural vitality in rural areas. .

Cultural Policy Symposia

Cultural Policy Symposia convened thought leaders and policymakers at 18 different in-person gatherings over decades to discuss and develop strategies for advancing cultural policy. These symposia provided a forum for in-depth exploration of critical issues affecting the arts sector.

Events & Convenings

By the Numbers

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Registrations for the Creative Vitality Summit in the past 2 years

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Creative Vitality Summit 2022 attendees

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Virtual ALAS Registrations for 2021-2024

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.