The Next 60
The Next 60 is our vision for a stronger, more sustainable performing arts ecosystem across the Western United States and Pacific Rim. That includes working together with our partners to invest in the next generation of leaders, telling the story of the Western arts ecosystem, and taking part in regional and national conversations about the future of the performing arts.
Join us!
Photo by Alex Takamine and pictures the inaugural recipients of the Marcelo Avilés Scholarship with Linda Lucero and Cristina Ibarra of Yerba Buena Gardens Festival.
Our Plan
Our role is more than a conference; we are a community. The Strategic Plan we adopted in August 2024 puts us on a path of transformation and impact. Over the next four years, where we will strengthen equity, expand membership, retool the conference model, invest in ongoing professional development, and build resilience.
Much has changed since our last plan. In addition to addressing our core functions, we also plan to explore new roles that are essential if our community is to thrive in the post-pandemic world. These new areas include advocacy, market development outside of the conference, and international exports.
Together, these strategies position us to advance a thriving performing arts community in the West, one that meets the challenges of our time and lays the foundation for the Next Great Performance.
We invite you to join us on this journey. You can learn more about how we plan accomplish our goals and where you can plug in by accessing the reports below.
Creative West: Founding Partner in The Next 60
Creative West is our founding partner in The Next 60. In 2026, Creative West made a $200,000 unrestricted investment in WAA to strengthen WAA's long-term viability, rebuild strategic capacity, and sustain WAA's service to presenters, artists, agents and audiences throughout the region.
“WAA is an essential part of the connective tissue the keeps our performing arts ecosystem strong. It links presenters, artists, and agents across diverse and faraway communities that might otherwise work in isolation. We’re proud to partner with WAA so that we can strengthen the field for the years ahead."
-Christian Gaines, President & CEO of Creative West.
The partnership goes beyond funding. Creative West and WAA share a commitment to field-building. Together, we will work on:
Leadership pathways for arts professionals under 40, including the Marcelo Aviles Scholarship Fund and 40 Under 40.
Organizational stability and year-round service to WAA members.
Strategic planning for a reimagined, community-embedded conference model