Voices is a series connecting Phoenix community members through conversations about the importance of arts and culture in our city. Hear from local leaders, thinkers, and changemakers as they explore how the arts create a more vibrant, connected, and creative Phoenix—and why a strong creative community is essential to our future.
REGINA NIXON
Executive Director
Phoenix Conservatory of Music
- arts education leader
- music educator
- creative youth development champion
- nonprofit strategist
- community builder
What feels uniquely “Phoenix” artistically?
Phoenix, at its core, holds the spirit of constant creation and reinvention. Phoenix is still actively defining its cultural identity. Artists here are not simply preserving a legacy—they are building one.
Our arts community reflects the diversity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit of the people who call this city home. We see influences from Indigenous cultures, Latino traditions, immigrant communities, and contemporary innovation all existing side by side. That creates space for experimentation and collaboration that feels distinctly “Phoenix.”
I’m especially inspired by how artists, educators, and cultural organizations often work across disciplines and sectors. Whether it’s music, visual arts, dance, or storytelling, there is a willingness to create opportunities where none existed before in innovative ways. Phoenix’s artistic identity is still being written, and that sense of possibility is what makes it so exciting and effervescent.
What changes would you like to see in Phoenix—cultural, economic, or civic—that would help arts and culture thrive?
Arts and culture needs to be recognized not as an enhancement to community life, but as essential infrastructure. Just as we invest in transportation, parks, and public safety, we should invest in the creative systems that help people connect, learn, and belong.
That means sustained public funding, affordable creative spaces, and stronger pathways for artists to build viable careers in Phoenix, and celebrating both the for profit and nonprofit sectors of the creative economy. It also means ensuring that every young person, regardless of zip code or income, has access to meaningful arts learning experiences.
Phoenix has grown tremendously over the last two decades. The next step is making sure our cultural investment grows alongside our population. A thriving arts ecosystem contributes to economic development, workforce attraction, tourism, education, and community well-being. When we invest in artists and cultural organizations, we are investing in the future of our city. And when that investment is mirrored across sectors- corporate, public and private – we have a sustainable model that can give so much more back than it is “given.”
What does a culturally-thriving Phoenix look like in 20 years?
Twenty years from now, I hope Phoenix is recognized nationally as a city where creativity is woven into everyday life. A culturally thriving Phoenix is one where artists can afford to live and work, where arts education is accessible to every child, and where cultural organizations, both for profit and nonprofit, reflect and celebrate the full diversity of our community while being fully supported by corporate, public and private funds.
I envision neighborhoods connected by vibrant creative spaces, public art, performances, festivals, and community gathering places. I see a city where young people can pursue artistic careers without feeling they must leave Arizona to find opportunity.
Most importantly, I hope Phoenix becomes known for using arts and culture as a tool for education and youth development, community building, innovation, workforce and economic development. When people from different backgrounds can share stories, experiences, and creative expression, they develop a stronger sense of belonging. A place where creativity breeds innovation. That kind of cultural vitality doesn’t just enrich a city—it strengthens its future. It affects education and quality of life—two elements needed to bring in companies and workers. That leads to a sustainable, healthy ecosystem.
When all of these elements mix together it helps to create a city that is a destination experience, sustainable, thriving and uniquely its own. But it all happens by truly giving the creative sector the resources it needs to be innovative, absorb risk, and support its thriving workforce.
Regina is the Executive Director of the Phoenix Conservatory of Music, a nationally-renowned Creative Youth Development organization that provides a continuum of high quality music education and experiences to nearly 2,000 students annually. Regina has been with the organization since 1999 and has served in myriad leadership roles in the arts and culture community, including as a former Vice Chair/Chair of the Phoenix Arts Commission and former Friends of Phoenix Public Art board member.
