Creative West

One week left to apply! ⏳ Applications for the National Arts Futures Fellowship close Sunday, Oct. 4 at 11:59 p.m. MT.

Free program. Seed funding. A national network ready for you to be a part of.

Complete your application → https://creativewestgrants.gosmart.org/

Tomorrow's the day! There's still time to grab your spot.

Our webinar on how Colorado passed A-Corp legislation happens tomorrow, September 22, from 4–5 p.m. Mountain Time. If you've been meaning to RSVP, this is your last chance.

We won't just cover what passed. We'll walk through the honest, step-by-step story of how it happened — the partnerships, the strategy, and the practical moves you can take to advance similar legislation in your own state.

You'll hear from two people who were in the room:

🎙️ Josh Blanchard — Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade
🎙️ Meredith Badler — Colorado Business Committee for the Arts
🎙️ Moderator: Cynthia Chen — Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs, Creative West

If moving arts and culture policy forward where you live matters to you, this hour is worth holding.

Join us tomorrow at 4 p.m. MT. We'd love to have you there. RSVP here: https://westaf-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mbBy7eDARMCXZ___e1U6Pg #/registration

⏰ One week to go — and your seat is waiting!

Our webinar on how Colorado passed A-Corp legislation is almost here: Monday, September 22, 4–5 p.m. Mountain Time. If you've been meaning to RSVP, now's the moment — the deadline is close.

This isn't just the story of what passed. It's an honest look at how it happened: the partnerships, the strategy, and the real work behind turning an idea into policy you can carry back to your own state.

You'll hear from two people who were in the room:

🎙️ Josh Blanchard: Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade
🎙️ Meredith Badler: Colorado Business Committee for the Arts
🎙️ Moderator: Cynthia Chen — Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs, Creative West

If advancing arts and culture where you live matters to you, this hour is worth holding.

RSVP now — we'd love to have you with us. https://westaf-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mbBy7eDARMCXZ___e1U6Pg #/registration

Applications are officially OPEN. 🎉 Step into your power as a civic leader and cultural innovator through the National Arts Futures Fellowship. Free program, $250–$1,000 in seed funding, national network.

Apply before Oct 5 → https://creativewestgrants.gosmart.org/

Join us for one of our upcoming information sessions on September 17:

🔗 Register for 11 a.m. MT’s Session: https://westaf-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/Qq--nFeIS-Ca_c0el1B2Fw

🔗 Register for 6 p.m. MT’s Session: https://westaf-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/9xXrtiL5RWG7IbUGSUDONQ

The Alaska State Council on the Arts is redefining accessibility in the arts! Through their partnership with GO Smart and the innovative work of Charlie Sears, ASCA is using AI to make arts programming more inclusive and impactful.

Discover how they’re streamlining grant administration while leading the charge for accessibility through Charlie's groundbreaking tool, The ALT Text Company (https://alttextcompany.com/).

Read the story: https://www.gosmart.org/fostering-creativity-and-accessibility-with-the-alaska-state-council-on-the-arts/

Fostering Creativity and Accessibility with the Alaska State Council on the Arts - GO Smart™ Longtime GO Smart client and passionate advocate for the arts, the Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA) is making a significant impact on the western region’s creative industries. Based in Anchorage, Alaska, the Council is dedicated to its mission: “Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA) rep...

Something big is on the way for arts and culture leaders. 🌱 The National Arts Futures Fellowship returns September 14—a six-month program rooted in democracy, wellness, and belonging.

Start dreaming up your personal action project now, and we will see you on the 14th!

Arts Service Organizations (A*Os) are essential connective tissue within the arts ecosystem. Help tell their story by taking the ADC Consulting 2026 National A*O Survey!

The knowledge generated through this research will be open data and belong to and benefit the field, helping organizations, artists, and arts workers better find, understand, advocate for, and support one another.

Access the survey at consultingadc.com/2026NationalA*OSurvey.

🗳️ Take the survey
📄 Download a copy of all the questions
❓ Find the FAQs
🎟️ Explore the raffle prizes you can win
🎉 Register for a Survey Taking Party
👀 and much more!

Our friends at the National Coalition Against Censorship are hosting their 8th Annual Curatorial Workshop, "Curating from the Blacklist"—a timely gathering for arts professionals navigating today's censorship pressures. Presented with the Japanese American National Museum and the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy, it's a space to share strategies, learn from peers, and support artistic freedom.

Here's what to know:

📅 Thursday, October 15, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
📍 Little Tokyo, Los Angeles (in-person only, limited capacity)
🎟️ $85 fee includes light breakfast and lunch
🏢Open to curators and artistic directors, independent or institution-based

Applications close Monday, September 7—so there's still time to apply.

If you're working through these challenges, this is a room worth being in. Apply today: https://ncac.org/project/arts-culture-advocacy/8th-annual-curatorial-workshop