08/27/2026
Last week, the CA for the Arts dream team came together for our annual staff retreat in beautiful, historic Santa Barbara. As a fully remote team, this time together deepened our collective purpose, strengthened how we work, nurtured our culture of care, and reconnected us with the statewide mission that drives our work.
From Nevada City, Sacramento, Oakland, Fresno, the Inland Empire, and Los Angeles, we came together to question our processes, challenge our assumptions, and dream bigger about what’s possible. Most importantly, we asked: Are we creating the impact our California communities need, and how can we deepen regional representation?
Because our work is more than programs, campaigns, or policy. It's about expanding access, advancing equity, and building a California where arts and culture are a powerful force for justice, belonging, and thriving communities. We left with more than ideas and organizational connection. We left rooted, energized, and ready to turn our collective purpose into greater social impact across California.
Thank you to Center Stage Theater, John from Drumtime Facilitated Drum Circles, and Jeff for the photoshoot!
