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Advocacy is Healing Community

June 19, 2025 | CA for the Arts

Healing Through Advocacy: Artists as Second Responder

In times of crisis, artists are second responders. We inspire hope, step in to help communities heal and rebuild, and contribute to overall health and well-being. As arts and culture are under attack nationally, advocacy is crucial, and we need your help so we can continue showing up for you and continue cultivating these healing communities we all need now.

Calling ALL MEMBERS: Help us raise $13K in just two weeks to keep CA Arts Advocates fighting for policies where arts, culture, and creativity drive real change. Forward to your network or donate TODAY to fuel the fight for artists, communities, and the future of the arts! Even $5/month can go a long way!

At the Heal Dena event on April 12th. Left to right: Josiah Bruny, CEO & Founder, Music Changing Lives, NeFesha Yisra'el, Director of Programs, CA for the Arts; Jennifer Kuo, Arts & Health Initiative Consultant, CA for the Arts; Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer; Lucas Foster, World Creativity Day, Tracy Hudak, Director of Field Engagement & Advocacy, CA for the Arts; and Marialyce Pederson, Altadena Creative and Fire Survivor.

"“...It was inspiring to see long-standing organizations pivot and prioritize their efforts as well as newly formed initiatives that stepped up quickly to act. As an example, Music Changing Lives, founded by the board president of California Arts Advocates, Josiah Bruny helped with relief distributions and are still hosting recurring events called Heal Dena by providing supplies and resources. It speaks to the cross-sector collaborations between nonprofits, local government, and small businesses coming together..."

Jennifer Kuo, on the recovery efforts from the recent LA wildfires

In 2020, with the generous support of our members at The Music Man Foundation, we started developing our Arts & Health Initiative. Earlier this year, we released our Introduction Guide to Arts & Health, led by Arts & Health Consultant Jennifer Kuo, MPH, CHES®.

Arts & Health Initiative

The Arts & Health Initiative recognizes the arts as a powerful tool to enhance the health and well-being of our communities.

Learn More

Introduction Guide to Arts & Health

Learn More About How the Arts Intersect with Health & Wellbeing! This guide compiles resources and showcases existing programs and groundbreaking research.

Learn More

When We Advocate Together, We Heal Together

Your membership fuels our work. It empowers us to support artists, activists, and advocates so that they can continue showing up for their communities. Become a member or renew today for as little as $5/month. A little each month goes a long way for the future!

Your membership supports:
Free year-long programming and webinars
Year-round direct lobbying in Sacramento
Grassroots organizing and training
Strategic communications and free toolkits

Healing Communities Can Also Be Online!

Connection and camaraderie are more important than ever, and we are looking to launch our Member Online Community this summer. We understand our state is vast and online communities can spark greater connections in the future, such as our 2026 Summit! Members: if you’d like to help shape our community, let us know your thoughts!

Arts is Health, Culture is Healing, and Creativity is Hope

We were intentional about choosing Health, Healing, & Hope as our theme for this year’s CA Arts & Culture Summit to highlight the vital role that arts and culture, artists, and culture bearers play in facilitating community wellness and recovery.

The current moment requires swift action, and artists are being called to serve as second responders. In order to show up for others, we must also show up for ourselves. So in the spirit of self care, we've created this Healing & Hope playlist. Enjoy!

Spotify

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YouTube

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Celebrate Healing Thru Arts & Culture This June!

As we celebrate healing through the arts, let's lift up the communities that need our support the most and also take time to take care of ourselves! Check out some amazing events taking place throughout the state this month: