The AZ Creative Communities Institute (AZ CCI) offered small teams, made up of diverse members of Arizona communities, a unique opportunity to explore the many ways creativity can be put to work for positive community impact. AZ CCI teams became part of an active learning network, learning from and with local and national experts, as well as peers from other Arizona cities, towns, and neighborhoods.

Nine teams formed the inaugural AZ CCI cohort, initially convened in 2017 and engaged for 2+ years. Teams participated in intensive training and multidirectional mentorship, and received funding support for community-engaged arts-based projects that were devised and implemented in locations across the state.


AZ Creative Voices

AZ Creative Voices is a nine episode podcast series that chronicles the AZ CCI experience. Producer Regina Revazova takes listeners on a tour of participating communities, highlighting the challenges and successes of this creative partnership; the potential of community-engaged work; and the many discoveries within teams and across the learning cohort as participants strengthened their collaborative skills.

Learn more about Team Barrio Anita and their community.

Listen to “AZ Creative Voices podcast: Barrio Anita” on Spreaker.

Learn more about Team Casa Grande and their community.

Listen to “AZ Creative Voices podcast: Casa Grande” on Spreaker.

Learn more about Team Douglas and their community.

Listen to “AZ Creative Voices podcast: Douglas” on Spreaker.

Learn more about Team Eastlake and their community.

Listen to “AZ Creative Voices podcast: Eastlake” on Spreaker.

Learn more about Team Flagstaff and their community.

Listen to “AZ Creative Voices podcast: Flagstaff” on Spreaker.

Learn more about Team Globe and their community.

Listen to “AZ Creative Voices podcast: Globe” on Spreaker.

Learn more about Team Tempe and their community.

Listen to “AZ Creative Voices podcast: Tempe” on Spreaker.

Learn more about Team Yuma and their community.

Listen to “AZ Creative Voices podcast: Yuma” on Spreaker.

Learn more about the AZ CCI from the institutional partners behind it.

Listen to “AZ Creative Voices: Partners” on Spreaker.


The Arizona Creative Communities Institute is an initiative of the Arizona Commission on the Arts and Arizona State University’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, with guidance from Southwest Folklife Alliance, an affiliate nonprofit of the University of Arizona.


AZ Creative Communities is funded in part by a grant from the Surdna Foundation, awarded to the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University as part of its Thriving Cultures grant program.

Additional support for AZ Creative Communities Institute learning sessions provided by Arizona Community Foundation.