Capacity building

Creative West builds the capacity of arts advocates and arts advocacy organizations by providing training, research, and legislative data to help them engage effectively with policymakers. Our programs provide the knowledge and skills needed to champion arts-related issues. By offering these educational opportunities, Creative West works to ensure that advocates are well-prepared to engage with stakeholders, influence policy, and mobilize communities to support the creative sector.

Network building

Collaboration is key to amplifying advocacy efforts. In building these networks, we facilitate joint initiatives, shared resources, and increased visibility for important issues that Creative West supports.

Creative West is an active member of several coalitions that span the national arts service and creative economy sectors who work to advance federal arts and cultural policy. We support the work of the Western Arts Advocacy Network, a coalition of statewide arts advocacy groups in the West.

Creative West also, on occasion, supports the development of local arts advocacy initiatives in the region such as the Greater Bay Area Arts and Cultural Advocacy Coalition. Through fostering community and collaboration, we help advocates build support systems and tap into shared expertise.

Access to resources and tools

The right resources and tools are key to successful advocacy. Creative West offers helpful resources including research reports, policy briefs, and toolkits to guide advocacy strategies and actions. We also provide technical assistance to craft custom advocacy strategies in the region and provide financial support to arts advocacy work in the region.