This episode of The Nonprofit Report features the leadership of Creative West, a regional arts discussing their mission to expand creative opportunity and cultural equity across 16 Western states and U.S. jurisdictions.
Guests:
Christian Gaines, President & CEO
Bassem Bejjani, Board Chair
Interview by: Mark Oppenheim
Key Points:
- Creative West, formerly Western States Arts Federation, recently rebranded to reflect its evolving mission and identity.
- The organization supports 16 Western states and jurisdictions, including Alaska, Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands.
- Their focus is on equity-centered systems in funding, technology, and policy across arts and culture.
- Creative West emphasizes the economic power of the arts, contributing $1.2 trillion to the U.S. GDP and employing over 5 million people.
- Programs include grants, technology platforms, advocacy, storytelling, and convenings.
- The organization works to expand access for historically overlooked communities, including Pacific Islander and Indigenous artists.
- Grantmaking is evolving to prioritize trust-based, liberatory practices.
- Creative West aims to develop an ethos recognized across all its programs, users, and partners.
Other Points on Creative West:
Creative West’s transformation from a traditional regional arts agency into an equity-driven convener and service provider reflects a broader evolution in how arts institutions engage communities. The organization now serves as both a policy advocate and a technological backbone for creative institutions across the West.
Board Chair Dr. Bassem Bejjani brought a unique perspective as a physician and geneticist, connecting creativity to biology, evolution, and social development. He noted that art is not a luxury—it’s a necessity for human expression, communication, and empathy. The arts, he argued, are core to innovation in every field, including science and medicine. This interdisciplinary view reinforces Creative West’s mission to value all forms of creativity, from visual and performing arts to craft traditions and cultural practices.
Creative West is intentional about recognizing art forms often excluded from mainstream institutions—like tattoo artistry, sail making, and oral traditions. The organization partners with diverse communities to ensure cultural representation and economic investment; they are building a more inclusive arts landscape by investing in innovation, honoring cultural diversity, and empowering artists across the Western U.S. and Pacific.