A partner post between California Humanities, CA for the Arts, the California State Library, and the California Arts Council
This October, we come together once again to celebrate National Arts and Humanities Month. Our shared theme—Where Joy Meets Justice—reminds us that the arts and humanities not only inspire creativity and imagination, but also build civic belonging, preserve living cultures, and strengthen resilience within our communities. In California, joy and justice are deeply intertwined: joy acts as a form of resistance and healing, while justice paves the way for a more open, empathetic, and inclusive society. Together, these values are woven into the stories, traditions, and cultural practices that shape our state’s creativity and intercultural heritage.
This year’s national call—Stories Unite Us—aligns beautifully with California’s own theme, highlighting how storytelling is both an act of joy and a pursuit of justice. When we share our lived experiences through the arts and humanities, we create understanding, bridge divides, and strengthen the civic fabric that holds our communities together.
Throughout the month, our partner organizations will highlight the tangible ways the arts and humanities make a difference in civic life—whether through community engagement, access to information, cultural preservation, or creative advocacy. From local libraries to statewide initiatives, each partner contributes to advancing joy and well-being in California communities.
California Humanities
As the state’s nonprofit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, California Humanities has worked for 50 years to uplift voices and stories seldom heard. Our mission is to connect Californians to ideas and one another in order to understand our shared heritage and diverse cultures, inspire civic participation, and shape our future.
This October, we explore Where Joy Meets Justice through the Collective Joy Project, featuring Chanowk Yisrael of Yisrael Family Farm in conversation with host mariana moscoso. Held on the farm, this month’s program highlights how cultivating land, food, and community can also cultivate joy as a pathway toward justice and belonging.
Looking ahead, we invite you to continue the journey with our partners at Zócalo Public Square for How Does Art Connect L.A.? This dynamic conversation brings together Open Mike Eagle, Vanessa Ragland, Jasmine Williams, and Sasheer Zamata at Union Station to explore how art—through laughter, rhythm, and storytelling—can unite or divide us, and what it means to keep the soul of a city alive through creativity.
Then, in November, join us for the next episode of the Collective Joy Project on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at noon, where we’ll continue to explore how joy connects Californians across place, culture, and experience.
President & CEO Rick Noguchi reminds us,
“In California, our cultures are our superpower. Through the arts and humanities, we find justice, joy, and the shared stories that unite us. They remind us of our common humanity, helping us listen, learn, and build bridges of understanding across our communities. By celebrating our stories, we strengthen the spirit of belonging that defines California.”
California for the Arts
CA for the Arts is California’s statewide arts advocacy organization dedicated to increasing resources and raising public awareness of the value and impact of arts, culture, and creativity. We believe arts and culture are vital to societal well-being and central to community life. Our work advocates for embedding arts and culture into broader policy changes. Through public awareness campaigns and programs, we are shaping the story of a California future where diverse artistic expressions and creative strategies are supported and everyone feels a sense of belonging.
This October, we want to highlight our Arts + Health Initiative, a series of webinars and publications designed to showcase how the arts are a powerful tool for community well-being.
➡️Register for upcoming webinars, including:
- Exploring Dance/Movement Therapy and Community Dance for Health and Healing | Tuesday, October 21 @ 12:00 pm.
- Exploring Art Therapy and Community Art-Making for Health and Healing | Thursday, November 20 @ 2:00 pm.
- Exploring Drama Therapy and Community Theater for Health and Healing | Wednesday, December 10 @ 12:00 pm.
➡️View past Arts + Health webinar recordings.
➡️ Download our Introduction Guide to Arts & Health that compiles resources and highlights existing programs and innovative research.
Julie Baker, CEO of CA for the Arts and California Arts Advocates, sends this message:
“The arts and humanities help us heal and better understand each other as a society. They serve as a public good that advances well-being, tolerance, and civil liberties, such as freedom of thought and expression. Publicly funded arts and humanities are rooted in the principles of a Great Society, which aimed to give communities greater access to arts and culture. We must protect and invest in the arts and humanities. They are the beacon of hope to guide society from the perils of isolation and intolerance.”
California State Library
The California State Library celebrated its 175th year in January. From its earliest days, the Library has been committed to preserving and sharing the state’s diverse histories and cultures—helping Californians connect with credible information, one another, and their communities. In the most recent years, the State Library has hosted webinars sharing the story of the Hmong Diaspora, California’s Environmental Heritage, Blackness through Poetry, and many others available on our YouTube channel.
In addition to serving state employees and government, the State Library supports California’s public libraries through grants that strengthen community life, promote equitable access to resources, and spread joy. Programs such as Lunch at the Library, Seed Libraries, and Parks Passes across the state embody the Library’s mission to foster belonging, creativity, and lifelong learning.
Deputy Director Rebecca Wendt echoes this sentiment of storytelling: “Arts and humanities use various media to tell stories that help us understand who we are. Libraries collect and share stories, sparking creativity and connecting communities through culture and history. National Arts and Humanities Month 2025 reminds us that these are not luxuries, but essentials for finding understanding and common ground, and inspiring who we can become.”
California Arts Council
In 2026, the CAC turns fifty! From its inception, the state arts agency of California has served a critical role in advancing the arts in communities throughout the state. The Council is facilitating a process to honor artists who have contributed to the cultural fabric of California and grantees from the most recent cycle of funding have been invited to dedicate a performance or project to our list of festivities. Our year-long celebration will recognize the resilience, adaptability, and the transformative power of public funding that the CAC contributes to California’s cultural landscape. Kicking off this celebratory year, up to ten new Cultural Districts will be announced in December of 2025, as well! Check out our historical timeline and tune in for all the great activities that will be taking place statewide next year.
The California Arts Council (CAC) is actively working to ensure the creative economy supports this vital intersection of joy and justice in every community. From October 21-23, 2025, having just concluded the work of the Creative Economy Workgroup of California, the CAC will present at the California Forward Economic Summit in Stockton, CA. By engaging with public and private economic development partners and attending breakout sessions, the CAC will represent and support the needs of California’s creative economy in advancing the idea that the arts are not just a source of joy, but a powerful engine for economic justice and community resilience.
Following the summit, the CAC is hosting a Public Meeting on October 24, 2025, at the San Bernardino County Museum in San Bernardino, CA. The public meeting will focus on which programs to open for FY26-27. These critical decisions shape future funding that directly supports arts organizations and cultural practices statewide.
This official meeting of the Council is open to the public, with opportunities for public comment both in person and online. Councilmembers and staff will be present to engage and hear from community voices across the state, ensuring that the CAC’s work reflects the needs and stories of all Californians.
Executive Director Brazell of the California Arts Council reminds us of our charge,
“For nearly five decades, we, at the California Arts Council, have remained steadfast in our commitment to strengthening the cultural infrastructure and creative pathways for artists across all 58 counties. We do this because we know that art is more than just inspiration; it is a catalyst for civic well-being. The arts are the vital, triple-bottom-line partners that weave these values into the fabric of our state.”
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In closing, through our collective efforts, we celebrate National Arts and Humanities Month by centering the stories, ideas, and cultural expressions that show us where joy and justice meet in California and beyond.
