In 2026 Arts, Culture & Creativity Month (ACCM) will be guided by the theme Boundless Culture & Creativity: The Essence of Freedom, with the sub-theme Building Joy, Action + Power.

At its heart, creativity is freedom itself, the boundless capacity to imagine without limits, shape culture, and drive change. Culture and creativity together embody resilience, resistance, and renewal, fueling the movements that transform our communities.  

Through ACCM 2026 programming, we will explore how boundless imagination and cultural practice translate into tangible results: Joy (healing and thriving), Action (advocacy and organizing), and Power (collective voice and influence). From experiential sessions that embody creativity without limits to convenings that highlight knowledge sharing, coalition building, campaigns, and cultural organizing, ACCM 2026 will showcase arts in action as a force for civic engagement, movement building, and community transformation.

As a pivotal election year unfolds, our focus is on highlighting how advocating for arts and culture safeguards the future, solidifying its recognition as essential work that everyone should champion. From the spontaneous expressions of street art to the meticulously crafted works of literature and music, every act of creation contributes to the rich tapestry of human experience, inspiring collective action and fostering a deeper sense of connection and shared purpose.