Ready to Make
an Impact?

By joining the Creative States Coalition, you’ll become part of a powerful network of arts advocates, cultural leaders, and policy changemakers working at the state and national levels. Members gain access to exclusive resources, shared data, advocacy tools, and a community committed to advancing the role of the arts in civic life.

The Benefits

Collective Voices

Advocating for a robust creative economy for all with a collective of advocates across the nation

Building Power

Establishing networks to develop best practices in creative economic development and collective impact. 

Gain Access

Member access to creative business tools and resources to increase creative business sustainability. 

Meet Our Members

supporters

  • 4A Arts
  • ADC Consulting
  • Alabama Arts
  • Arkansas Arts

How to Become
a Member

Membership is pay at a level
appropriate to your organization
and is easy as 1-2-3

Enter Your Membership Amount

We recommend $250 annually
(although you pick)!

1

Confirm Your Payment

Thank you for seeing our value!

2

Sign Up For Our Monthly Meetings

You can opt out of these
communications at any time.

3

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.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Contact us here.

  • CSC is currently funded through memberships and by seed grants from the six Regional Art Organizations (ROA) – Arts Midwest, Mid-America Arts Alliance, Mid-Atlantic Arts, New England Foundation for the Arts, South Arts, and Western States Arts Federation; as well as through the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

  • Membership in the Creative States Coalition (CSC) offers access to a national network of arts advocates, professional development opportunities, and advocacy support to strengthen the creative sector. Members benefit from strategic partnerships, resource sharing, and capacity-building programs that enhance organizational effectiveness. CSC also provides visibility, funding insights, and innovative solutions to drive systemic change and elevate the arts nationwide.

  • CSC Membership is ‘pay-what-you-can’ at a level appropriate for your organization. We recommend a $250 annual membership contribution.