Creative Economy Candidate Forums Bring Community Voices to the Center
In May, the San Bernardino Arts Collaborative, in partnership with the JustSB Coalition and community partners across our city, hosted two nonpartisan Creative Economy Candidate Forums at the Garcia Center for the Arts. Over two evenings, residents, artists, small business owners, educators, youth advocates, and community leaders gathered alongside candidates for Mayor and First Ward City Council to engage in meaningful conversations about the future of San Bernardino.
At Arts Connection, we believe the arts are deeply connected to the issues that shape our everyday lives. The creative economy is about more than arts organizations. It includes the small businesses that give our neighborhoods character, the young people searching for pathways into meaningful careers, the activation of public spaces, and the stories and cultures that define who we are as a community.
Together with our partners, we developed a series of nonpartisan questions centered on issues community members identified as priorities. Candidates were asked about supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs, expanding youth internships and creative workforce opportunities, strengthening STEAM and film pathways, exploring community-led cultural districts, addressing housing and community stability, and creating partnerships that activate parks, libraries, and public spaces through community programming.
These forums were designed as voter education opportunities and spaces for civic dialogue. As 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, the hosting partners did not endorse, oppose, rate, or rank candidates. Instead, our goal was to help residents better understand the perspectives of those seeking public office and to elevate the role arts, culture, and creativity play in building a thriving San Bernardino.
We are grateful to the San Bernardino Arts Collaborative, the JustSB Coalition, Inland Congregations United for Change, Inland Empire Prism Collective, Inland Empire Community News, Future First, our translators, volunteers, and everyone who worked behind the scenes to make these conversations possible.
Most importantly, thank you to every resident who attended, tuned in online, submitted questions, and participated in the democratic process. Civic participation matters. It happens when neighbors gather, ask thoughtful questions, listen to one another, and imagine together what is possible for our city.
If you missed the forums or would like to revisit the conversation, we invite you to watch the livestream recordings and learn more about the questions that were asked.
Thank you for helping us continue to build a San Bernardino where arts, culture, and community voices help shape our collective future.
