Support Arts and Cultural Sector Growth through Advocacy and Policy Change

The Creative States Coalition (CSC) initiates, supports, strengthens, and elevates action for arts sector growth at the state and local level through collaboration, education, capacity building, and public policy development for creative sector advocacy organizations.

Our Programs

programs

  • Monthly Meetings

    CSC monthly meetings provide state/regional level art and cultural advocates with professional development, capacity-building tools, and networking opportunities with other members of the CSC

  • Advocacy Resources

    State level resources for arts advocacy tools, training, event planning, as well as federal updates and communication materials.

  • Organizational Resources

    Shared peer resources to manage and grow 501c3 and 501c4 organizations.

  • Annual Convening

    Travel stipends and planning for our Annual National CSC Convening including workshops, topical speakers, and in-person networking opportunities with food, fellowship, and fun.

Our Guiding Principles

  • We bring together arts and cultural advocacy leaders from across the country, fostering partnerships that strengthen and elevate collective efforts toward arts sector growth at state and local levels.

  • We provide resources and learning opportunities for advocates, equipping them with the knowledge and tools necessary to engage in impactful advocacy for the arts, culture, and creative industries.

  • Our coalition is committed to enhancing the ability of arts organizations, creative workers, and policymakers to advocate for sustainable and equitable policies. We support the growth of the arts advocacy field through strategic capacity-building initiatives.

  • We develop public policy that empowers the arts and culture sector. Through informed advocacy, we aim to influence policy at the local, state, and national levels, ensuring a more equitable and robust cultural landscape.

Empowering Arts Advocacy Across the United States

We prioritize giving State and Regional arts advocacy leaders the tools, resources, and connections they need to succeed.

Learn More

 Our Impact 

What our community says about being
part of the movement.

  • Jim Speirs, Arts South Dakota

    “The launch of the Creative States Coalition has been an outstanding development for our national arts advocacy efforts. It has filled a critical gap in support infrastructure, offering new networks, resources, and a unifying platform that empowers state-level advocacy. I am grateful for this initiative and the renewed energy and coordination it brings to advancing the arts across the country.”

  • Mollie Cashwell, Cultural Alliance of Maine

    “CSC is hands down responsible for CAM's growth and the speed at which we were able to establish ourselves as a start-up and fill the arts advocacy void in our state. This coalition has allowed our small, brand-new organization to achieve early policy and community organizing wins and avoid rookie errors, powering our continued growth and sustainability.”

  • Julie Baker, California for the Arts

    “The Creative States Coalition stands as an indispensable asset within the landscape of arts and culture advocacy. Its significance lies in the unique provision of a nationwide peer network, a forum where professionals dedicated to advancing the arts and cultural sector can connect, collaborate, and, crucially, exchange best practices. This capacity for shared learning and mutual support is profoundly valuable for individuals and organizations.”

  • Chris Kiley, Texans for the Arts

    “Being such a diverse nation, meeting with peers across the country is so important to address national issues. There is no substitute for the insights we get from each other - what works locally; what our shared challenges look like in very different landscapes; and how do we chart a collective path forward that champions creativity as essential to the nation.”

  • Manny Cawaling, Inspire Washington

    “Creative States Coalition is where thoughtful and expansive political strategy can happen. Together we set our sights on the big picture and collaborate on solutions. I have on obligation to deliver for my state community but we can't accomplish anything without a big national team. More personally, the camaraderie, understanding, and shared experiences inspire me to keep marching forward.”

  • Rychetta Watkins, Memphis Music Initiative

    “Creative States Coalition has been a vital lifeline for MMI. As a small arts intermediary in a progressive city within a deeply conservative state, CSC provides critical access to national arts policy insights and trends in state and local arts organizing and advocacy. The knowledge, strategies, and tools we gain through CSC’s meetings and briefings strengthen our ability to support not only our grantee network in Memphis, but also peer intermediaries across the city and state.”