S6:E5 What is the return on imagination? Danielle Brazell, Executive Director, California Arts Council
Guest
Danielle Brazell
In conversation with
Stephanie Fortunato
Stephanie Fortunato, speaks with Danielle Brazell, Executive Director of the California Arts Council, about the state’s cultural districts programme, California’s first creative economy strategy, and why public investment in culture should be measured not only in economic impact, but also in imagination, innovation, and inspiration.
Date of Recording
3 April 2026
Date of Publication
7 May 2026
[00:00:00]
Danielle Brazell: And when we talk about ROI, everybody's going to be like, return on investment, what are the gross receipts, right? How much economic impact? But I'm really interested in this idea of what is the return on imagination. What is the return on innovation? And what is the return on inspiration?
[00:00:21]
THEME MUSIC
[00:00:26]
Stephanie Fortunato: Hello, and welcome to The Three Bells. This podcast is one of a series brought to you by AEA Consulting for the Global Cultural Districts Network, in which we explore the relationship between cultural and urban life – how culture contributes to urban vitality, and how the city influences culture.
I'm Stephanie Fortunato, Special Projects Director for GCDN.
Across the world, cultural districts sit at the crossroads of creativity, community and civic life. These districts reveal how culture shapes the identity of a place and how cities and communities navigate change.
Today, we're heading to California, a place whose cultural diversity and creative economy have global influence. Joining me is Danielle Brazell, executive director of the California Arts Council. An artist, teaching artist, presenter, and arts administrator, Danielle has spent her career working at the intersection of arts, policy and community. From leading Arts for LA, a regional arts and arts education advocacy organisation, to serving as general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs – where she was responsible for the largest budget and staffing allocation in the history of the agency, elevating the department and creativity, and providing a direct benefit to LA's 4 million residents and 50 million annual visitors.
Danielle is passionate about the ways arts, culture, and creativity advance civic belonging, equity, economic prosperity, and social connectedness. In her current role, she oversees the state agency supporting arts and culture across California, including the California Cultural Districts programme and the state's new creative economy strategy.
Danielle, welcome to The Three Bells.
[00:02:11]
Danielle Brazell: I’m so happy to be with you, and after that intro, I feel like I need a nap.
…
About our Guest
Danielle Brazell, is Executive Director of the California Arts Council. An artist, teaching artist, presenter, and arts administrator, she has held leadership roles across advocacy, local government, and the cultural sector, including at Arts for LA and the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. She now leads the state agency supporting arts and culture across California, including the California Cultural Districts programme and the state’s new creative economy strategy. +
