CALIFORNIA’S CREATIVE
ECONOMY STRATEGIC PLAN
May 6, 2026
Presented by Creative Economy
Workgroup Member:
Alejandro Gutierrez Chavez
Arts Connection- Arts Council of San Bernardino
County
We are San Bernardino County’s arts agency and our
mission is to advance the arts, culture, and creative
economy across San Bernardino County.
● Arts Education
● Workforce Development
● Public Art
● Advocacy and Policy
CREATIVE ECONOMY
Strategic Plan Briefing
ESTABLISHING THE
WORKGROUP
AB127 2023/24
The council shall establish the
California Creative Economy
Workgroup, upon appropriation by
the Legislature, to develop a
strategic plan for the California
creative economy, with members as
provided in this section.
LEGISLATIVE GOALS FOR THE STRATEGIC PLAN
• Attracting creative economy business
• Retaining talent within the state
• Developing marketable content that can be exported for national and international consumption and monetization
• Reach marginalized communities
• Incorporate diversity of California
THE CREATIVE
ECONOMY STRATEGIC
PLANNING PROCESS
CREATIVE ECONOMY WORKGROUP
STATEWIDE CROSS SECTOR OF
CREATIVE INDUSTRIES AND INTERESTS
Nonprofit
arts and
culture
Advocacy Film
Economics
and business
development
Labor Philanthropy
Gaming Academia
Government
Artists
CREATIVE ECONOMY WORKGROUP MEMBERS
• Institute for the
Future onboard
• Background research
• Foresight webinar
with CEW
PHASE 1 PROJECT ACTIVITIES
• CEW #1: Foresight
• Expert and creative
worker conversations
• IFTF Research Report
• CEW #2: Insight
• Synthesis of
Action Areas
• CEW #3: Action
• Synthesis, Write,
& Release Plan
• Disband CEW
NORTH STAR
Lead an inclusive and
resilient creative economy
that empowers artists,
cultural workers, and
entrepreneurs to drive
culture, creativity, and
innovation.
SIX PRIORITY
ACTION AREAS for
California’s Creative
Economy 2025-2035
• 30+ townhalls across 8 regions
• Participant feedback
• Community survey (intended)
• Multi-media stories
• Dedicated website
• Toolkits
• Peer and field knowledge building
• Piloting/Prototyping
ENGAGEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
NEXT STEPS
Support Local Jurisdictions in Implementing
● Development of Cultural District Strategic Plans
● Support implementation for local jurisdictions public art programming
● Collaborate in the development of apprenticeships and workforce development programs for creatives