CA Arts & Culture Summit 2026

CA for the Arts is excited to announce its flagship ACCM event: the 4th Annual CA Arts & Culture Summit. The Summit will take place on April 19 - 20, 2026, in Sacramento, at both the Memorial Auditorium and the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center.

Cover: CA Arts & Culture Summit 2025, photo by Doug Cupid

ABOUT THE
CA ARTS & CULTURE SUMMIT

The CA Arts & Culture Summit will be guided by the theme Boundless Culture & Creativity: The Essence of Freedom, with the sub-theme Building Joy, Action + Power.

At its heart, creativity is freedom itself, the boundless capacity to imagine without limits, shape culture, and drive change. Culture and creativity together embody resilience, resistance, and renewal, fueling the movements that transform our communities.  

Through summit programming, we will explore how boundless imagination and cultural practice translate into tangible results: Joy (healing and thriving), Action (advocacy and organizing), and Power (collective voice and influence). From experiential sessions that embody creativity without limits to convenings that highlight knowledge sharing, coalition building, campaigns, and cultural organizing, the summit will showcase arts in action as a force for civic engagement, movement building, and community transformation.

As a pivotal election year unfolds, our focus is on highlighting how advocating for arts and culture safeguards the future, solidifying its recognition as essential work that everyone should champion. From the spontaneous expressions of street art to the meticulously crafted works of literature and music, every act of creation contributes to the rich tapestry of human experience, inspiring collective action and fostering a deeper sense of connection and shared purpose.

This year, CA for the Arts is excited to launch our first-ever Pre-Summit Convening on Sunday, April 19th, a full-day gathering designed to create space for deeper dialogue, strategy-building, and relationship-rooted learning ahead of the Arts & Culture Summit.

Watch Last Year's Summit Trailer

 

Ticketing

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION

Opens February 2, 2026

  • Member: $275
  • General Admission: $325
  • Champion*: $550
  • Artist & Student**: $190

REGULAR REGISTRATION

Opens after the first 100 tickets are sold

  • Member: $325
  • General Admission: $375
  • Champion: $600
  • Artist & Student: $190

LATE REGISTRATION

Begins April 6, 2026

Registrations submitted after April 6, 2026 at 5:00 PM will incur a $50 late registration fee to help cover additional administrative and event costs.

*Champion: This ticket level supports production of the CA Arts & Culture Summit and allows us to offer our Artist Worker ticket pricing. A portion of this ticket level is tax deductible.

**Artist & Student: Are you an artist or a student? This ticket level is designed to reduce barriers to entry for this event, so that anyone who would like to attend the CA Arts & Culture Summit is not prohibited by cost. Please help us keep this cost available for those who need it most; if you are able to purchase a full-price ticket, please do so.

Captains Discount: Advocacy Day Captains receive a discount code for $50 off registration price upon approval of their application.

MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNTS & PRICING

 

Before registering, check whether you or your organization is a member of California for the Arts or California Arts Advocates. Members are eligible for discounted Summit tickets. To confirm your membership, individuals can check this page, or you can email membership@caforthearts.org.

Not a member? Join today.

Available by discount code or with staff assistance.

  • Members contributing $500–$999: 2 tickets at the member rate
  • Members contributing $1,000–$2,499: 4 tickets at the member rate
  • Members contributing $2,500 and above: 10 tickets at the member rate

GROUP DISCOUNT

 

  • Enter the discount code "Group10+" below. After you enter the first registration, you will add additional guests. The discount price will apply after you enter your 9th additional guest.
  • You will be required to add name and email for guests. They will be able to modify the rest of their registration later.  If you have a large group and need assistance entering the names and emails contact Teri at the email below.

REGISTRATION POLICIES

 

  • All sales are final. No refunds are available after purchase.
  • If you are unable to attend, you may donate your ticket or transfer your registration to another attendee.

 

For assistance with discounted, group, or donations registrations, please contact Teri@caforthearts.org.

ABOUT THE
LOCATIONS

Sacramento Memorial Auditorium

Experience the latest in music and arts in a historical setting. The renovated Memorial Auditorium combines timeless surroundings with state-of-the-art capabilities to provide the perfect backdrop for a wide range of shows.

1515 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814

SAFE Credit Union Convention Center

From Broadway hits to indie up-and-comers. From hole-in-the-wall treasures to culinary icons. The epicenter of Sacramento is the SAFE Credit Union Convention & Performing Arts District.

1401 K St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Learn more about their accessibility features here.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Sponsor ACCM

Interested in supporting ACCM? Our Sponsorship Package outlines all the ways you or your organization can help support this statewide celebration of arts, culture, and community. With flexible sponsorship opportunities to match every level of giving, there’s a place for everyone to contribute and make an impact in the arts.

For more information, please contact NeFesha Yisra'el, Director of Programs, at nefesha@caforthearts.org.