Do It Yourself Advocacy: In The Field – MassCreative’s Arts Matter Advocacy Day March 25th (Boston/MA)

You don’t need a Political Action Committee (PAC) to have an impact on local, state, and federal politics. Sure, sure, it’s an effective tool, but never underestimate the power of citizen artists working together. Elected officials want to know what those they represent want and/or need for their communities. They also need their constituents to re-elect them to office. Organized citizens and advocates can make a difference on policies and funding decisions. They can also push the margin of victory (or defeat) at the ballot re-election box.

Two great opportunities to engage in Do It Yourself Advocacy (or DIYA as we call it at MALC) are coming up. We profiled the first one yesterday: http://artistsunderthedome.org/malc/issues/do-it-yourself-advocacy-in-the-field/

Today, we’ll preview the second one: MassCreative’s Arts Matter Advocacy Day, March 25th!

On Wednesday, March 25th, MassCreative will convene Arts Matter Advocacy Day at the Massachusetts State House (Boston). Connect that day with your State Senator and State Representative to advocate for arts and culture in the Commonwealth (Please see the information below from MassCreative on how you can take part!)

Even if you can’t attend, you can still contact your your state senator and state representative and let them know how much arts and culture matters to you and to our state! (Learn how to contact who represents you: http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.aspx)

For an in depth review of familiarizing yourself with your elected officials, check out: DIYA – MA Knowing the Political Players- Part One

A key advocacy point during MassCreative’s event will be to increase the Budget Line Item for the Mass Cultural Council (MCC) in both the House Budget and the Senate Budget.

See our DIYA blog post about the budget: http://artistsunderthedome.org/malc/diya/diya-budget-process/

(Note Governor Baker level funded the MCC in his budget http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/news/gov_budgetFY16.asp )

From MassCreative:

To RSVP and more info: http://www.mass-creative.org/amadrsvp

There is also a set time on the 25th for Youth Arts Advocacy (from 3:30 to 5:30  p.m.). You need to rsvp at this link: http://goo.gl/forms/WQLei0tiJq

On March 25, MASSCreative will bring together the creative community for Arts Matter Advocacy Day to show our state political leaders that arts matter in Massachusetts.

Join arts, cultural, and creative leaders and supporters for a morning at the Citi Wang Theatre in downtown Boston and an early afternoon at the State House. After a morning of mingling, celebrating arts & culture, and sharpening our advocacy skills at the Wang, we will travel together in an “Arts Matter March” to the State House. When we arrive, we will meet with our legislators about arts and cultural issues, including the state budget. Together, let’s send the message: arts matter in Massachusetts.

Program:
9:00-10:00: Registration and breakfast reception
10:00-10:30: Welcome
10:30-11:30: Prep for legislative meetings
11:30-12:30: “Arts Matter March” from Citi Wang Theatre to State House
12:30-2:00: Meetings with legislators*
3:30-5:30: Youth Arts Matter Advocacy Day. RSVP here: http://goo.gl/forms/WQLei0tiJq

*Snack bags will be provided on the way out for the “Arts Matter March”. You may grab lunch on your own between legislative meetings.

WHEN
March 25, 2015 at 9am – 2pm

WHERE
Citi Wang Theatre and Massachusetts State House
270 Tremont St
Boston, MA 02116
United States