This year was an important milestone for CaFÉ’s parent organization, Creative West. Not only did it undergo a brand and name change, transforming from its previous identity as WESTAF (Western States Arts Federation), but it also celebrated its 50th anniversary. In this blog post, we look back at CaFÉ’s beginnings and position within Creative West’s history.
When Creative West was founded as a nonprofit art service organization in 1974, it aspired to be a force in advancing arts and culture across the western United States. Over the last five decades, it developed innovative programs, fostered regional and national partnerships, and continually evolved to meet the changing needs of the arts sector.
One of its ambitious evolutions was creating technological solutions for arts organizations and artists. Among the first projects developed were Circuit Riders (a telephone and online consultancy service), ArtsComputer (a computer and software leasing program for arts administrators), ArtJob (an e-newsletter and website with arts-focused job listings across the U.S.), and ArtistsRegister (an online database connecting artists to collectors, gallery owners, curators, and more). While these early programs were eventually phased out, they paved the way for Creative West to launch those that still exist today.
There was once a time when artists had to mail in paper applications, along with images of their artwork on photographic slides, to galleries, art festivals, and other art organizations that would review them. However, in 2003, the manufacturer of slide projectors, Eastman-Kodak, announced it would discontinue the machines. This created a need, specifically in the art festival industry, to adopt a new technology that allowed a standardized, digital method for reviewing artwork. That need was answered by Creative West in 2004 when it launched ZAPPlication, an online application system designed specifically for art fairs and festivals. In 2005, Creative West followed suit again by launching CallforEntry (CaFÉ). Closely mirroring the ZAPP infrastructure, CaFÉ was designed to provide a digital application and adjudication platform for all arts opportunities—not just festivals.
Right: Photo of an old postcard advertising WESTAF’s website, ArtistsRegister.Com
Want to know more about Creative West’s early technology projects? Watch these two episodes from the WESTAF Turns 50 documentary series:
A Visual Journey Through Time
CaFÉ launched in March 2005 and soon hosted calls for entry for public art programs, gallery exhibitions, artist residencies, and more!
In 2007, CaFÉ partnered with the Public Art Network (PAN) and brainstormed how to combine the best features of CaFÉ with WESTAF’s ArtistsRegister to create a database of projects selected for PAN’s Year in Review.
While the partnership did not proceed, this imagined project shifted WESTAF’s focus to creating the beloved Public Art Archive (PAA). Today, public artists can submit their work to the PAA through CaFÉ!
The site has undergone many changes over the years, and our team continues to make updates and enhance the experience for artists and administrators.
Since its launch, CaFÉ has been committed to making art opportunities available to all by offering arts organizations an affordable submission platform and providing artists with an easy way to apply.
We are thankful for the artists and arts administrators who have been and will be a part of our story.
Connecting Artists with Growing Opportunities
Over the past two decades, CaFÉ has continued to grow beyond its initial scope to support a wider range of opportunities. Browse the list of calls any day, and you’ll see gallery exhibitions, online showcases, artist-in-residence programs, public art commissions, workshops, and sculpture walks — the list goes on. As the platform supports an expanding range of opportunities for artists, it also supports the emerging jury formats, from in-person deliberations to online and asynchronous reviews. Throughout time, CaFÉ, and its sibling platform ZAPP, have continually adapted, ensuring that artists and organizations alike have access to efficient, innovative solutions in an ever-evolving landscape.
CaFÉ’s Role Within Creative West
CaFÉ plays a vital role in supporting artists and arts organizations while advancing Creative West’s mission of systemic innovation and cultural impact. As a regional arts nonprofit, Creative West reinvests the revenue generated by CaFÉ into programs that empower artists, culture bearers, and creative organizations to achieve community-defined goals. By connecting artists to opportunities and streamlining processes for arts organizations, CaFÉ supports sustainable arts careers and strengthens organizational capacity. This aligns with Creative West’s broader commitment to advancing equity, justice, and regenerative action. With its technological systems, Creative West not only facilitates creative opportunities but also drives transformative change in the arts, ensuring its impact extends far beyond the West.
The Road Ahead for CaFÉ and Creative West
Looking ahead, CaFÉ will remain an affordable and accessible solution for arts organizations, empowering them to connect with artists anywhere. Building on its strong technological foundation, Creative West will continue exploring new ways to empower creatives. Through it all, the team behind these missions remains committed to sharing the stories of its users and championing the transformative power of art in communities everywhere.
Mark Sink Retrospective Exhibition Opening, Photo courtesy of Patricia McCrystal
