Contact:
Eduardo Robles
eduardo@caforthearts.org
Senior Manager of Communications
916. 520.6049 ext. 102
For Immediate Release
Back by popular demand! California for the Arts, a leading statewide arts advocacy organization, presents the second annual CA Arts & Culture Summit and Arts Advocacy Day in Sacramento, building on creative sector momentum around the essential role of artists in workforce development, climate change, health + wellness, and the economy.
Sacramento, CA - Join CA for the Arts for the second annual CA Arts & Culture Summit in Sacramento on Tuesday, April 16. The Summit will take place during CA for the Arts 6th Annual Arts, Culture & Creativity Month (ACCM) with this year’s thematic focus “Art Work is Real Work.”
The Summit produced in partnership with Unseen Heroes, a Sacramento based community driven events and marketing agency, will bring together over 350 arts advocates, cultural policy thought leaders, public and private arts funders, artists, creatives, educators, culture bearers, teaching artists, students, public officials, and creative industry representatives from across the state to reinforce the movement to prioritize arts, culture, and creativity as essential for California’s key initiatives including, equity and justice, education, workforce development, health, climate resilience, and economic mobility. The summit will also address thriving working conditions for artists, culture bearers, and creative workers.
With the creative industries contributing 225 billion + dollars to the California economy, it is up to the creative sector to ensure policies are in place for the sustainability and growth of its industry and to build public awareness of the intrinsic value of arts, culture, and creativity as not only a public good – transforming communities and individuals – but also its role as a driver of prosperity for the California state economy.
This CA Arts & Culture Summit isn't just another event; it's a transformative experience tailored for arts leaders across disciplines and practices. By facilitating exchange between fellow professionals who share a passion for creativity, we are fostering a movement of arts champions dedicated to impact and change through innovative strategies and solutions.
Summit panel discussions will cover diverse topics from leading voices in the field, including arts & health, economic justice, climate change, artists on artist’s work, youth engagement, affordable housing/work space, cultural equity, civic engagement, public art, and more with an emphasis on the public policies and advocacy needed to support the creative industries and workforce.
CA for the Arts is pleased to announce Nataki Garrett as this year's distinguished keynote speaker. Nataki Garrett brings a wealth of expertise and visionary leadership as co-Artistic Director of One Nation/One Project and the national Arts and Health initiative #ArtsforEveryBody.
Featured panelists include: Deborah Cullinan, Chris Appleton, Indre Viskontas, Ph.D., Tamaira “Miss Tee” Sandifer, Heather Heslup, Arianna Chavez, Roshaun Davis, Nikko Kimzin, Nurit Siegel Smith, Nicole Hendrix, Marcus Mitchell, Tiara Amar, Jamie Hand, Penelope Oliver, Josiah Bruny, Can Foster, Clarity Cooper, Jaya King, Megan Van Voorhis, Sharmi Basu, Ken Ikeda, Keith McNutt, Sean Fenton, Sam Bempong, Venecia Prudencio, Christina Simpson, Silvi Alcivar, and Jennifer Laine.
Workshop leaders include: Tasha Golden, Ph.D., Letty Kraus, Jessica Mele, Adelaide Kuehn, Abe Flores, Lena Wolff, Miriam Klein Stahl, and Jackie Melendez. And featured presenting organizations include: California Arts Council, Arts in the Parks, City of San Diego & SDRACC, Measure P, Fresno, and Creative Corps/Kern Dance Alliance.
We are especially excited to offer a unique workshop, “Arts on Prescription: Move You from Idea to Action”, led by Dr. Tasha Golden, Ph.D., Director of Research at the International Arts + Mind Lab. In this interactive workshop, participants will explore the integration of arts and health, focusing on the concept of "arts on prescription" and practical applications in healthcare. Emphasizing the transformative power of arts and culture, the session aims to inspire creativity, foster collaboration, and develop innovative healthcare approaches through actionable activities and discussions. Tasha will also be a featured panelist on our “Arts and Health” Panel.
View all Summit panel and workshop offerings here
In addition to the Summit on Wednesday, April 17, CA for the Arts invites the public to join arts advocates from around the state for a rally at the capitol for Arts Advocacy Day. The rally will feature dozens of speakers and performers before participants meet with state legislators to build momentum from the 23-24 legislative session with the passage of AB 812, a bill to ensure artists affordable housing in cultural districts; and a budget inclusion of $1million for a multi-agency creative economy task force and strategic plan to lift up the issues facing the sector in 2024 and beyond.
About California for the Arts (CA for the Arts)
California for the Arts is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary advocacy service organization focused on building resources and public awareness of the value and impact of arts, culture and creativity across California.
