Senate Arts Champion

Angelique Ashby, California Senate District 8

Senator Angelique V. Ashby is the first woman elected to represent Sacramento in the California State Senate in more than 20 years. Prior to joining the legislature, she was elected to the Sacramento City Council, where she served for 12 years. She was the sole woman for more than half of her tenure, and is the only member in city history to serve as Vice Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem for 8 years.

During her time on City Council, she secured millions to fund schools, community centers, parks and fire stations. She brought thousands of high-wage jobs to the Sacramento region, by attracting a Fortune 100 company.

Assembly Arts Champion

Chris Ward, 78th Assembly District

Assemblymember Chris Ward, is a dedicated public servant who has proudly served the San Diego community for over a decade. Representing San Diego and El Cajon in the California State Assembly, he chairs the Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Internet Media Committee and the LGBTQ Caucus. A champion for housing, climate change, and LGBTQ+ rights, he’s delivered transformative legislation like California’s first community solar program and policies combating ghost guns and doxing.

Artist Champion

Jaya King

Jaya King is a Sacramento-based multidisciplinary artist whose two-decade career spans studio practice, arts education, and public murals. Her work ranges from semi-abstract painting and monochromatic portraiture, to large-scale public art.

Through this work, she has become increasingly involved in arts advocacy, championing the visibility and rights of working artists in their practice. She served as a public voice for California muralists during the passage of SB456, including testifying before Senate and Assembly legislative committees.

Legacy Award

Sharon Quirk-Silva, 67th Assembly District

Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva serves as California’s 67th Assembly District representative, which includes the communities of Anaheim, Artesia, Cerritos, Cypress, Buena Park, Fullerton, Hawaiian Gardens, and La Palma. The Assemblywoman is currently serving her sixth term as a representative in the California State Assembly.

She currently sits as the Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration, and is a member of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. She also sits on the following Assembly standing committees: Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism, Budget, Revenue and Taxation, as well as Housing and Community Development. 

Legacy Award

Ben Allen, California Senate District 24

California State Senator Ben Allen represents the 24th Senate District, covering the Westside, Hollywood, South Bay, and Santa Monica Mountains communities of Los Angeles County. Ben was first elected in 2014 and is now serving his third term in the State Senate.

Ben chairs the Senate's Budget Subcommittee #2 (Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy) and co-chairs the Legislature's Environmental Caucus, is a member of the Legislative Jewish Caucus, chairs the Legislature's Joint Committee on the Arts, and the Senate Select Committee on Aerospace and Defense. He previously served as Chair of the Environmental Quality Committee (2019-2024), Chair of the Education Committee (2017-2019) and Chair of the Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee (2015-2016).

Alejandro “Alex” Torres, Vice President and Co-Founder, Golden Bear Strategies

Alejandro “Alex” Torres is Vice President and Co-Founder of Golden Bear Strategies and serves as a lobbyist for the California chapter of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), where he advocates on behalf of hundreds of independent music venues, promoters, and festivals across the state.

With more than a decade of experience in California’s legislative and regulatory landscape, Alex is known for his hands-on, “sweat equity” approach to advocacy, building coalitions, shaping policy, and delivering results in high-stakes environments. His work spans the creative economy, housing and infrastructure, healthcare, wildfire resilience, and economic development, with a particular focus on protecting and strengthening California’s independent arts and music ecosystem.

He is based in Sacramento, where he remains deeply engaged in advancing policies that support California’s artists, venues, and creative communities.

Dr. Anne Huang, CEO, World Arts West

Dr. Anne Huang is the CEO of World Arts West, a San Francisco-based arts organization that serves the largest world dance network in the US through artist services, performance presentations, and collective advocacy. In 2019, she was appointed as the first person color and cultural artist to lead World Arts West. Under Dr. Huang’s leadership, World Arts West greatly expanded the accessibility and reach of the World Arts West Dance Festival, launched its first grantmaking initiative, and instituted pioneering programs such as the Arts Equity Research Project, and Grants Accelerator Program, an one-of-kind program that helps cultural artists access grants funding.

As a thought leader with deep knowledge of challenges and solutions for cultural artists in the 21st century, Dr. Huang is a sought after consultant for culturally-specific capacity building methodology and resource equity in philanthropy. She has been a National Association of Latino Arts & Culture Advocacy Leadership Fellow, and Greater Bay Area Arts Coalition Organizing Fellow. Dr. Huang is the former Board Chair for Dance/USA, the national service organization for dance. 

Bob Lehman, Executive Director, San Diego ART Matters; Vice Chair, San Diego County Arts & Culture Commission

Bob Lehman is Executive Director of San Diego ART Matters, the region’s leading arts advocacy organization, where he champions policies and investments that strengthen the creative economy and expand access to arts and culture. Previously, as Executive Director of the San Diego Museum Council, he represented more than 120 museums and cultural institutions, including 30 binational partners, and grew the organization into one of the nation’s largest regional museum associations.

Lehman serves as Vice Chair of the San Diego County Arts & Culture Commission and sits on the boards of California Arts Advocates and California for the Arts, advancing advocacy at the local, state, and national levels. With more than 25 years of leadership, his work bridges arts, policy, and community impact—supporting artists, securing resources, and elevating the role of culture in civic life. A nationally recognized LGBTQ+ leader and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he brings a lifelong commitment to equity, access, and public service.

Assemblymember Chris Rogers, 2nd Assembly District

Assemblymember Chris Rogers proudly serves California’s 2nd Assembly District, which encompasses Eureka, Arcata, and Santa Rosa. Before joining the State Assembly, Chris made a significant impact as a Santa Rosa City Councilmember and Mayor, where he led efforts in wildfire recovery, housing affordability, and environmental sustainability. Known for his collaborative leadership style, Chris has been instrumental in securing resources to support small businesses and protect vulnerable communities during challenging times.

Chris holds degrees from UC Santa Barbara and Sonoma State University, where he developed a passion for policymaking and community engagement. He brings this passion to the State Assembly, focusing on creating a modern and equitable rural economy, healthcare access, and driving climate action. A lifelong resident of Santa Rosa, Chris is dedicated to preserving Northern California's natural beauty while ensuring its residents a prosperous future.

Donald Gensler, Art in Public Places Manager, Sacramento Office of Arts and Culture

Donald Gensler manages the City of Sacramento’s Art in Public Places program.  He develops and leads program opportunities for artists that center community engagement and artists’ creative voice at the intersection of public space, neighborhoods, and the creative economy within the City of Sacramento.  He is both an attorney and practicing visual artist with a passion for and experience in making and managing public art projects as well as advocating for artists and artists’ rights.

For thirty years, he has worked as a visual artist in community arts, private, public, and non-profit art programs in Arkansas, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, California, and internationally in Dublin, Ireland.  He was an Adjunct Professor of Public Art in the School of Architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY and was a Lecturer for ten years at the University of Pennsylvania School of Design where he also worked with Mural Arts Philadelphia, painting murals and developing social justice centered arts programing.  

Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes, City of Sacramento

Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes is a passionate advocate who brings extensive experience to her role with the City of Sacramento. Previously, she served as a County Board of Education trustee, where she tirelessly worked on behalf of 245,000 Sacramento students, advocating for improved education funding and equity. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Community and Regional Development from UC Davis, she played a pivotal role in narrowing opportunity gaps among public school students through President Obama's Initiative on Educational Excellence.

In addition to her educational background, Karina has a strong foundation in private sector recruitment and has served as Chief of Staff to then Vice Mayor Angelique Ashby. This diverse experience equips her with a comprehensive perspective, enhancing her effectiveness as Vice Mayor. As a proud Latina, Karina is deeply committed to highlighting diversity, family values, and community engagement throughout her leadership journey.

Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, 28th District

Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas is a lifelong advocate for working families whose career began in journalism and labor organizing. Raised by a single mother who was a veteran and registered nurse, she saw firsthand the economic challenges facing working people. She went on to organize with Service Employees International Union and played a key role in the Justice for Janitors campaign, helping thousands of workers secure higher wages, health benefits, and job protections.

Before joining the California State Senate, she co-founded the Los Angeles Black Worker Center, a nationally recognized model for worker justice and racial equity. In the Senate, she has led major efforts to strengthen worker protections, expand access to union careers, and advance equitable economic development in South Los Angeles. As Chair of the Senate Labor Committee, she continues to champion legislation focused on labor rights, affordable housing, workforce equity, and community investment. Her work reflects a deep commitment to economic justice and opportunity for historically underserved communities.

Pam Breaux, President and CEO, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies

Pam joined the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) in 2015. As president and CEO, she works with the association’s board of directors and staff to advance NASAA’s policy and programmatic mission to strengthen America’s state and jurisdictional arts agencies. A native of Lafayette, Louisiana, Pam has held leadership positions at the local, state and national levels.

Before working in state government, Pam was executive director of the Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana and managed southwest Louisiana’s Decentralized Arts Funding Program. She has served on the boards of the U.S. Travel Association, the U.S. National Commission on UNESCO, NASAA, South Arts and the Louisiana Board of International Commerce. Pam is currently a member of the Grantmakers in the Arts board. She graduated from McNeese State University with a B.A. in English and earned an M.A. in English and folklore from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Rachel S. Moore, President and CEO, The Music Center

Rachel S. Moore is president and CEO of The Music Center, the $80 million organization that operates L.A.’s performing arts center on behalf of Los Angeles County, including the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Jerry Moss Plaza and Gloria Molina Grand Park. Together, these venues represent more than $3 billion in county assets. Committed to deepening the cultural lives of all Angelenos, Moore oversees programming that reflects and responds to the region’s diversity, impacting more than 400,000 people annually, including an acclaimed dance series, the largest arts education program west of the Mississippi serving 150,000 students and educators annually, and free and low-cost programming. Moore joined The Music Center in 2015 from American Ballet Theatre, where she rose from dancer to CEO. She is the author of The Artist’s Compass and recipient of the 2025 Los Angeles Times Executive Leadership Award.

Sarah Lyding, Executive Director, The Music Man Foundation

Sarah Lyding serves as Executive Director of The Music Man Foundation. In this role, Sarah has led a reimagining of the Foundation’s mission, transitioning its support to organizations using music to achieve systemic change. Through that effort, she has established relationships with leading governmental, music, health and academic institutions including the World Health Organization, LA Phil, LA Opera, the NeuroArts Blueprint, Jameel Arts & Health Lab, and UC San Francisco.

Under Sarah’s leadership, the Foundation has developed numerous grant programs and has awarded more than $22 million to 80 organizations, including the Meredith Willson Awards which offer support to organizations using music to achieve systemic change; a music therapy grant program for Southern California-based organizations; relief grants for music education programs after COVID-19-related shutdowns, and the Strengthening the Sector advocacy grant which supports initiatives to increase public funding for the arts, advocate for arts education and pro-artists policies, and raise awareness about the impact of arts on health and wellbeing.

Sean Fenton, Executive Director, Theatre Bay Area 

Sean Fenton is the executive director of Theatre Bay Area and an arts professional with over two decades of experience in the San Francisco Bay Area theatre community. An award-winning actor, Sean has performed at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, San Francisco Playhouse, 42nd Street Moon, Ferocious Lotus Theatre Company, Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra, and more. He has been a guest speaker and panelist for TYA/USA; a production supervisor and communications manager for Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre; and a director, music supervisor, and performer for Bay Area Children’s Theatre.

As director and manager for the Intrinsic Impact program at WolfBrown, Sean provided audience research services to arts organizations across the continent, including Arts Club Theatre Company, Center Theatre Group, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cornerstone Theatre Company, Silk Road Rising, and more. Sean combines his experience as a theatre artist with expertise in research, program development, and community outreach. He is a passionate advocate for building a more equitable and inclusive theatre community that is both artistically vibrant and financially empowered. Sean is a graduate of Stanford University, a member of Actors' Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA, and a board member for CA for the Arts and CA Arts Advocates.

Dr. Veronica Alvarez, Executive Director, Create CA

Born in Michoacán, Mexico, Dr. Veronica Alvarez is an educator, historian, and arts advocate. She believes that access to arts education is a social justice issue. Veronica has worked with students of all ages and in teacher professional development, where she led arts integration and English Language Learner learning opportunities for teachers from 70 school districts in LA County. Currently, she is the Executive Director of Create CA. Previously, she was the Executive Director of Community Arts Partnership with a special appointment in the Critical Studies Department at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). Prior to CalArts, she was in the museum field for over 20 years, working at the Getty and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Veronica has served as a US Department of State English Language Specialist in Serbia and in the State Department of Cultural Affairs in Chiapas, Mexico, and has led sessions on using art for English Language Development with museums across the country. Veronica has a BA in liberal studies and MA in Ancient Greek and Roman history from CSUN. She received her doctorate from Loyola Marymount University’s Educational Leadership for Social Justice Program.

Camden Aschbrenner, CA Thespians

Camden Aschbrenner is deeply involved in theatre and student leadership, with a strong interest in creativity and connection. Whether working behind the scenes or helping lead events, Camden is dedicated to building community and making a positive impact.

Jackson Bergener, CA Thespians

Jackson Bergener is a California State Thespian Officer and high-impact student leader from Orange County, maintaining a 4.6 GPA while excelling in a rigorous AP and Honors curriculum. He serves as an ASB class representative and high school ambassador, while leading on the Thespian Board and performing in musical theatre and select choir. A passionate advocate for the arts, theatre in schools, environmental change, and LGBTQ+ inclusion, Jackson uses his platform to promote accessibility, representation, and community.

Zoey Carrillo, Truckee High School

Zoey Carrillo is a junior visual artist enrolled at Truckee High School just accepted into the California State Summer School for the Arts - Visual Arts Department for the 2026 summer session. She has a powerful voice. She is thrilled to have this opportunity and is already planning on attending Arts Advocacy Day with her mother.