Creative West

Today we honor Juneteenth—a day that celebrates Black freedom, resilience, and culture.

At Creative West, we recognize the profound contributions of Black artists, creators, and cultural bearers whose work enriches our communities and shapes our collective future. As we reflect on this day, we recommit to advancing equity and uplifting Black voices throughout the arts and culture sector.

If your organization is ready to bring live touring artists to your community, now is the time to review the 2026-27 program guidelines and get your application in. TourWest is a competitive grant program, supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, that helps arts organizations across the Creative West region connect people with live performance.
The deadline to apply is June 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. MT.

Head to GO Smart to review the program guidelines, prepare materials, and complete your application.

Apply: tourwest.gosmart.org

History was recently made in Colorado. 🎨

The state has become the first in the nation to pass A-Corp (Artist Corporation) legislation—a meaningful step forward for artists and the creative economy.

This new framework gives artists real tools to protect their work, build sustainable creative businesses, and find strength in collective power. It's a recognition of something we've long believed: artists are essential to our communities and our economy.

As CBCA Deputy Director Meredith Badler put it:
"The A-Corp concept will provide a new blueprint for artists to better protect and leverage their creative work. It elevates the value of artists and their creative businesses and provides a framework for more collective power. The creative industries are a vital part of Colorado's economy, and we're excited to be first in the nation to pass this legislation."

Policy shapes what's possible for artists. Colorado is creating a new path—and we're proud to see it lead.

What could this mean for artists in your community? We'd love to hear your thoughts.

Congratulations to the 21 organizations awarded the 2025-26 Access grant!

This initiative provides current Creative West grantees with funding to implement practical, impactful accommodations—such as ASL interpretation, assistive listening devices, and large-print materials. By taking these steps, arts spaces can foster deeper empathy, open dialogue, and broader community participation.

Discover the full list of awardees and learn more about their commitment to an accessible arts sector:http://www.wearecreativewest.org/meet-the-awardees-making-the-arts-more-accessible

Only 24 hours until our June Capacity Building webinar!

Designed for organizations, programs, or groups interested in strengthening how they evaluate and communicate their work, this session explores how to collect meaningful data with empathy, develop community-informed metrics, and translate outcomes into clear, authentic impact stories.

Will you join the conversation? Register here: https://wearecreativewest.org/2026-capacity-building-webinar-series

📍Discover open calls, grants, residencies, and more — all in one place. The new Creative West Opportunities Portal launches June 23! ⭐ Follow us for updates and be the first to explore endless creative opportunities.

The 2026–2027 TourWest application is now open 🎉

If your organization brings live performances to your community — or has been looking for support to make it happen — this grant opportunity is for you!

TourWest is a competitive grant program, supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, that helps arts organizations across the Creative West region bring touring performers to their communities.

Application Deadline: June 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. MT

Apply today: https://ow.ly/U5OS50Z7IOj