When Institutions Choose Care

I’m still carrying so much pride and gratitude from this convening. Being in community with so many artists, organizers, and culture-bearers — all moving with purpose, joy, and spaciousness — reminded me of the deep power of gathering with intention. For Creative West, co-hosting this convening wasn’t just a partnership; it was a values-aligned act of solidarity. Our work is rooted in democracy, wellness, and belonging, and supporting AAC’s presence on the West Coast felt like a natural extension of that commitment.

As someone who helped build AAC from its earliest days and now leads programs at Creative West, this convening was profoundly meaningful. I’ve watched AAC evolve from a spark into a national ecosystem-shifting network. To co-host in Los Angeles (and in the state that raised me) — a city in the Creative West region, rich with history, multiplicity, and creative lineage — felt both ancestral and future-facing. It affirmed that our communities are expansive, interconnected, and more powerful when our institutions choose to collaborate with clarity and care.

I also want to honor my Creative West colleagues, Josh Ellis and Marcelina Ramirez, who played critical roles in making this convening possible. They were the first reviewers of all submitted session applications — bringing thoughtful discernment, equity-centered judgment, and deep alignment with the values behind this gathering. And on the ground in Los Angeles, both served as site visit coordinators and essential on-the-ground support, ensuring our community members felt held, oriented, and welcomed throughout the experience.

What we created together — AAC and Creative West and every partner who brought their gifts forward — was more than an event. It was a reminder of what collaboration rooted in trust and integrity makes possible. It was a testament to the brilliance and resilience of our people. And it was a commitment: to keep showing up for one another, across regions and roles, in ways that nourish, connect, and sustain us.

I’m grateful to have been part of this moment — and even more grateful for the future it’s pointing us toward.

Warmly,
Anika Tené
Director of Grants, Awards and Programs
Creative West