Regional Conversations are convenings that take place across the state of California each year. They bring together artists, arts leaders and workers, creative entrepreneurs, community organizers, and supporters of arts and culture to hear updates on legislation affecting the sector, to learn about advocacy, and to share what is impacting arts and culture in communities small and large. 

The program began in 2019 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its catastrophic impact on arts and culture as a way to quickly disseminate information and to speak to colleagues in each region about business model shifts, funding sources, and reopening challenges. The issues that arose related to identifying local networks and issues, access to funding, and advancing equity and visibility of the field continue to be pressing. Thus, Regional Conversations remain important spaces to ensure resources reach communities and to continue to build advocacy within the arts and culture sector in ways that benefit not just the field, but local communities.