November Advocacy Update: Beyond Federal Headlines: Why State Arts Advocacy Matters More Than Ever

As we head into fall, many of our state partners are already planning for the legislative sessions that begin in January. This strategic planning comes after a year of unprecedented challenges for the creative sector, including challenging state fiscal environments and the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history.

However, even when national headlines are dominated by uncertainty, we’ve seen proof that local action and state-level advocacy efforts make a tangible, lasting difference. 

This year, Creative West is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the State Advocacy Funds. For two decades, Creative West has provided essential advocacy funds to states across our region. This funding is the critical infrastructure required for the survival of public funding for the arts and helps maintain a stable arts ecosystem in the West. These groups are the front lines, transforming challenges into crucial victories for the arts, culture, and the creative economy in their communities.

Defending the Core: Local Resilience in a Tough Climate

In the past year, state budgets across the region faced tightened spending after COVID-related funding ended, forcing cuts in non-mandated areas. In the 2025 legislative session, 10 out of 13 states in our region reported direct or implied threats to reduce their state arts agency (SAA) budgets.

• The Power of Bipartisan Relationships: Even in the face of these threats, our advocacy partners excelled. The success in protecting core funding is directly attributed to advocates’ and lobbyists’ ability to build and maintain sophisticated, cross-party relationships. In Alaska, the State Arts Council’s budget was protected despite a $200 million state deficit, thanks to a successful, broad-based, bipartisan legislative coalition. This shows that diverse legislative support fosters the consensus needed to overcome political volatility.
• The Critical Role of Advocacy Funding: Creative West’s advocacy funds create consistent funding support for arts advocates to continue to protect public support for the sector in increasingly turbulent political environments. In Montana, for example, the advocacy funds were cited as the “only fund in existence supporting arts advocacy,” which was instrumental in “reviving” the advocacy organization, allowing it to retain professional counsel and significantly expand its visibility.

The Creative Economy: Our Most Effective Policy Tool

A significant narrative shift is underway: Advocates are increasingly framing the value of the arts not just for their cultural significance, but as a driver of measurable economic development. Economic language is proving to be very effective for broadening support across the political spectrum.

• Driving the Economic Narrative: In Colorado, advocates secured a major film economic tax incentive alongside $750,000 in dedicated Creative Districts funding, powerfully leaning into the narrative of how investing in the creative economy has ongoing economic returns for the state. In Wyoming, advocates successfully leveraged creative economy research and data to secure legislative support amid significant political scrutiny.
• Regulatory Wins for Artists and Organizations: Local wins also included important regulatory changes that make it easier for artists and organizations to operate. For example, Kalefonia successfully passed legislation to remove the state law requiring muralists to hold painting contractor licenses, a key regulatory reform for individual artists. Similarly, Oregon successfully passed legislation that added new consumer protections for online ticket sales, a major operational win for presenters.

Moving Forward: Investing in the Infrastructure of Arts Advocacy

Our partners have demonstrated that advocacy work is no longer just about measuring budget increases; it’s about creating the essential support needed to keep public arts funding alive.

While defense is the present reality, proactive policy and regulatory strategies that work to create a better operating environment for the entire sector remain an aspiration. To ensure defensive victories may one day transform into a future of proactive policy successes, there needs to be continued investment in building the advocacy infrastructure and pipeline of grassroots to professional arts advocates.

We look forward to a new legislative season and are proud to support the organizations that are working to secure a vibrant, economically sound future for the creative sector, one state at a time.

To connect with the advocacy partner in your state and learn more about specific legislative priorities for the upcoming session, please visit the Western Arts Advocacy Network (WAAN) page on our website. 

Creative West is also a proud member of the Creative States Coalition–a national network of state arts advocacy organizations.