Celebrating Three Decades of Creative Collaboration: CWF Transforms into Creative Power Awards
On April 17, 2025, 150 Creative Work Fund (CWF) artists, organization leaders, and philanthropic peers gathered at SOMArts in San Francisco for “Celebrating CWF, Celebrating You,” a milestone event honoring three decades of creative collaboration and unveiling our exciting new direction.
A Legacy of Collaborative Innovation
The Creative Work Fund’s story began more than 30 years ago with a simple but powerful vision: to support artists and organizations working together to create new works of art. In September 1994, the Columbia Foundation, Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, Miriam and Peter Haas Fund, and Walter and Elise Haas Fund launched CWF with this collaborative spirit at its core.
More recently, CWF has operated as a program of the Walter and Elise Haas Fund and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Over the past three decades, we’ve awarded $17.8 million in grants to artists and community organizations, fostering creative partnerships that have enriched the Bay Area’s cultural landscape. Every person who joined us for this celebration was part of CWF’s illustrious history.
An Unforgettable Celebration
The day began with a visual journey through CWF’s history, featuring a reel of artists and projects spanning three decades. Jamie Allison, Walter & Elise Haas Fund Executive Director, joined me for opening remarks that honored our enduring commitment to arts and artists while recognizing CWF grantees as integral to our past and future.
The joy in the room was evident as we brought together artists and organizational leaders from our earliest funded projects alongside current grantees, past and present funding partners, staff members, and trustees. This gathering embodied the collaborative spirit that defines our work.
Throughout the day, we heard powerful recognition and storytelling from Frances Phillips, Paul S. Flores, Genny Lim, Rhodessa Jones, Sean San Jose, Meklit Hadero, Desi Mundo, Sharmi Basu, Oscar Lopez, and Olivia Malabuyo Tablante. The program was elevated by captivating performances from Yosimar Reyes, Francis Wong, and Kayatta Patton, while La Cocina nourished us with exceptional food and La Femme Papi kept the energy alive with upbeat DJ sets.
Listening, Learning, and Evolving
This celebration represents just one facet of our 30th anniversary recognition. Last year, we initiated our commemorative efforts by streamlining our application process to a single step and launching a comprehensive community engagement initiative in partnership with Authentic Arts and Media.
Through extensive listening sessions and a community survey, we engaged with previous and current CWF grantees to understand what artists and organizations need today. We asked hard questions about where we need to reimagine and refresh our work and processes. We listened carefully to the responses.
The message was clear: let’s honor what we’ve heard and act on what’s important to artists and your lived experiences.
Introducing the Creative Power Awards
Based on your feedback, the Creative Work Fund is transforming into the Creative Power Awards, a bold evolution that addresses the needs you’ve shared with us.
Enhanced Financial Support
We heard that our grants, while meaningful, still under-resourced both artists and organizations. Award amounts may have ranged in size from $33,000-$50,000. In response, we’re doubling our investment with $100,000 grants to artists and separate $75,000 grants to nonprofit organizations.
Redefining Collaboration
While collaboration remains central to our success, we learned that authentic impact should be defined by the collaborators themselves. You told us that artists and organizations want recognition for the ways collaboration is already intrinsic to who you are and how you work. Collaboration will continue as a hallmark of our program, but with this deeper understanding of its organic nature.
Artist-Centric Approach
Your calls for more artist-centric approaches have shaped our new direction. The Creative Power Awards will remain multidisciplinary, continue focusing support on Bay Area artists and organizations, and champion a shift from viewing art as a product to honoring the arts as essential work.
Expanded Partnership
We also heard your desire for us to facilitate meaningful connections and increase our influence in the field. The philanthropic peers present at our celebration represent a network of funders committed to backing arts, culture, and equity. In this spirit, the Hewlett Foundation is joining us as co-funders of the Creative Power Awards. Just as artists and organizations don’t work in isolation, neither do we.
Trustee Support and Future Vision
We brought your feedback directly to our trustees, who unanimously approved doubling our commitment to Bay Area artists and arts organizations. Together, we recognize that a healthy arts ecosystem is foundational to a healthy society, and this investment reflects our shared values and vision.
This gathering was more than a celebration; it was a pivotal moment to honor both the history and future of our work with the very people who have shaped what we’re becoming. The Creative Power Awards program celebrates arts and culture, highlighting it as a necessary element to Community Well-being.
What’s Next
To stay informed about the Fund’s new strategic direction focused on Community Well-being and to receive updates on the Creative Power Awards, join our newsletter list here.
