Do It Yourself Advocacy: In The Field

Having an impact on local, state, and federal politics doesn’t require millions of dollars. Ok, sure, millions of dollars is helpful, but never discount the power of citizens 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’ll be profiling them for the next week. Get involved and make your voice heard.

#1: National Arts Advocacy Day – March 23 – 24th

Each year, Americans for the Arts sponsors a national gathering and lobbying day in Washington D.C. On March 23 – 24th, artists of all disciplines, arts advocates, and arts supporters will gather in our nation’s capitol to let D.C. policy makers know how much they value arts & culture: http://www.americansforthearts.org/events/arts-advocacy-day.

Check out their video showing why you can make the difference on Capitol Hill this March: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek8q1o0400A

Even if you can’t get to D.C. for this, you can still contact your two U.S. Senators and your Congressperson to let them know that the arts are important and need to be supported! (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

And of course, you can push National Arts Advocacy Day via Twitter. Tweet using the hashtag #AAD15 to spread the word.

Link to Americans for the Arts legislative handbook (pdf)

From the Americans for the Arts:

Congress Needs to Hear from You!

Attend Arts Advocacy Day: The National Arts Action Summit

March 23–24, 2015
Washington, DC

Between budget battles and divisions over education reauthorization, it is slated to be a busy spring on Capitol Hill this year for policies affecting the arts and arts education. In the coming weeks, leaders in Congress will offer their own budget proposal for the fiscal year 2016 and will further consider bills to replace the outdated federal education legislation, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Your legislators need to hear from you during these deliberations—don’t miss the chance to join artists and fellow advocates in telling your arts story to Congress at Arts Advocacy Day!  http://www.americansforthearts.org/events/arts-advocacy-day

Did you miss our new video showing why you can make the difference on Capitol Hill this March?