At CA For the Arts 3rd Annual Arts & Culture Summit, our keynote presentation features a conversation with Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson, an esteemed expert in cultural policy and arts administration, and Julie Baker, CEO of CA for the Arts and CA Arts Advocates.

Dr. Jackson shares insights from her extensive 35 year career including experiences and work ranging from nearly 20 years at the Urban Institute, a Washington, DC-based national public policy research organization and efforts in higher education and the nonprofit sector to her tenure as Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, emphasizing the critical role of artists, culture bearers and the creative process in enhancing community well-being.

This conversation inspires attendees to envision new ways of integrating arts & culture into every facet of community and economic development. It also highlights the essential roles that arts workers play in enriching our lives while showcasing innovative approaches to building healthier communities. We discuss ways to reframe the creative economy to include economic acknowledgments of health benefits, aligning with 2025's summit theme: Health, Healing, & Hope.