West Where We Come True
We are Creative West
In 2024, WESTAF proudly rebranded as Creative West, unveiling a name and identity that more deeply reflect our mission to support creativity and communities across the Western region.
This transformation was the culmination of months of collaboration among stakeholders, board members, and staff, blending innovative thinking with a shared vision for the future.
Creative West embodies our belief that creativity is essential—not only to enrich lives but also to drive equity, justice, and regenerative action. With a focus on artists, cultural organizations, and arts agencies, we continue to build equitable systems of funding, technology, policy, and advocacy that empower healthy and thriving creative communities.
Serving a vast and diverse region that spans the Arctic Coast to the Pacific Islands, Creative West remains committed to fostering artistic innovation and cultural impact. This rebranding underscores our ongoing dedication to advancing creativity and community-defined goals across the West and beyond.
To mark the unveiling of our new identity, Creative West produced a captivating video featuring poet laureate Hakim Bellamy performing an inspiring spoken word piece on the organization’s past and future.
WESTAF turned 50
To mark its 50th anniversary in 2024, WESTAF undertook a yearlong celebration of its history and accomplishments, culminating in its rebranding to Creative West. Staff meticulously explored archives, cataloging decades of physical and digital records to preserve the organization’s legacy. This project ensured that WESTAF’s story remains accessible for future generations, reflecting a respect for its historic contributions to the arts.
Additional anniversary projects included the creation of a video series charting WESTAF’s evolution, the debut of the “50 Artists” contest celebrating creativity across the region, and a dynamic social media campaign showcasing archival moments. These initiatives highlighted WESTAF’s commitment to innovation and its dedication to fostering creativity in the West.
The anniversary also marked a significant transformation as the organization transitioned into Creative West, reflecting a renewed mission to empower equitable systems of funding, advocacy, and cultural impact. This milestone bridged WESTAF’s rich history with its ambitious vision for the future, affirming its steadfast dedication to the creative vitality of communities across and beyond the Western region.
Documentary
WESTAFer Natalie Villa, with the support of fellow colleagues, Samantha Ortega and Natalie Scherlong, crafted a multipart YouTube documentary series highlighting WESTAF’s remarkable 50-year history. Across nine episodes, the series celebrates WESTAF’s legacy, from its origins in 1974 to its leadership in technological innovation and advocacy for equity in the arts. Featuring insights into its regional impact and the vibrant communities it serves, the series concludes with WESTAF’s transition into Creative West. This collection offers a comprehensive look at five decades of empowering creativity and shaping the cultural landscape of the Western region and beyond.
Creative West President & CEO Christian Gaines Serves as Chair of the US Regional Arts Organizations
Creative West belongs to a national collective of six place-based nonprofit US Regional Arts Organizations (USRAOs) created in the 1970s and 1980s. Together, they design, activate, and operate national arts initiatives, encourage and support collaboration across regions, states, and communities, and maximize public and private resources invested in arts programs. Creative West President & CEO Christian Gaines currently serves as Chair of the USRAO collective.
As intermediaries and service providers, the RAOs are deeply connected to their regions and have a practice of working collaboratively. RAO partners include the National Endowment for the Arts, state and local arts agencies, arts advocacy groups, arts organizations, businesses, and foundations like the Mellon Foundation, the Wallace Foundation, and the Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies.
Over time, RAOs have evolved in response to the shifting needs and priorities of their regions. Today, they leverage public and private partnerships and funding to create and deliver programs across multiple disciplines. With a reach that spans borders, the USRAO collective plays a crucial role in strengthening the arts infrastructure across the country.
West is a Destination
Grants, Awards & Programs
Creative West empowers artists and culture-makers with direct, practical resources, delivered regionally.
Alliances, Advocacy & Policy
Whether you’re an artist, cultural organization, or community leader, our networks offer a platform for growth, learning, and shared success.
Convenings
We unite our wide-ranging networks to foster a thriving arts and culture sector across our region and beyond.
Technology Platforms
We develop platforms and tools that transform the way artists and organizations approach their work. See how our technology platforms equitably build bridges in the arts in 2024.
See our FY24 Growth Statistics by clicking on the logos below.
Financial Summary
The FY24 financial summary provides a detailed breakdown of the organization’s income and expenses, categorized by key areas of operation. It offers a clear view of how resources were allocated and revenue was generated throughout the fiscal year.
Creative West gratefully acknowledges and deeply thanks our supporters, partners and individual donors for their financial contributions, vision, guidance and — most of all — believing in our mission to serve diverse audiences and enrich the lives of local communities, providing access to the arts for all.