The Power to Create Change: Arts Advocacy 101 October 26, 2018 South Providence Public Library
Who We Are Mollie Flanagan Maggie Anderson Individual Artists Director, Program Director Arts in Education Elena Calderón Patiño Todd Trebour Community Arts Organizations Program Director Program Director
What We Do RISCA supports arts and culture in Rhode Island by providing grants, programs, and services to artists and organizations throughout the state. * Two grant deadlines a year – October 1 and April 1. * Take a handout – and connect with a RISCA staff member today or in the future!
Ruby Lopez Harper Director of Local Arts Services Americans for the Arts
Why We Are Here TODAY u What we have been hearing from you. u RISCA’s role in advocacy. u Your role in advocacy. u National Arts and Humanities Month. u Ruby visiting = serendipity!!
What We Are Doing TODAY u What Is Your Arts and Culture Story? Part 1 Exercise with Maggie and Todd. u Arts Advocacy 101 with Ruby. u Question and Answer Session. u Evaluation Forms. u Time Permitting – More Networking!
What Is Your Arts and Culture Story? Part 1 u Purpose of exercise: u To help you connect with one another. u To help you draft how you might open a conversation or letter about the importance of the arts. u Importance of story AND data in advocacy.
EXAMPLE 1: Todd Part 1: STORY OF SELF – What has led you to do the arts and culture work you do? u My name is Todd u I struggled with being an incredibly shy person.
EXAMPLE 1: Todd u And then this happened: I was cast as the delivery boy in the mandatory 6 th grade musical. I requested that role because all I did was come on stage, sing a song, and leave without speaking. u And now: It was the first time I really did something scary, and was pushed outside my comfort zone – and I haven’t stopped pushing ever since .
EXAMPLE 2: Maggie Part 1: STORY OF SELF – What has led you to do the arts and culture work you do? u My name is Maggie. u I dreamed of being an accountant.
EXAMPLE 2: Maggie u And then this happened: I am the child of a single mom who worked two jobs. Our time together was often spent engaging in the arts, which I now understand was an escape for her and came to be an escape for me. I’ll always remember the first time I saw Les Mis. u And now: I know that because of the transformative power of the arts, access is the right of every child.
EXERCISE TIME!
Arts Advocacy 101 What does it mean, Why does it matter, What can I do about it? October 26, 2018 Ruby Lopez Harper, Director of Local Arts Services Americans for the Arts
Who is Americans for the Arts?
What is Advocacy? u ADVOCACY u LOBBYING u The act or process of u Conducting activities advocating or aimed at influencing supporting a cause or public officials and proposal especially members of a legislative body on u Act of building legislation support/community base
So, can my NPO lobby? Nonprofits can: u u Lobby during an election cycle, so long as they remain IMPARTIAL u Invite candidates to events, but they must give all candidates seeking the same office EQUAL OPPORTUNITY to speak u Take positions on POLICY ISSUES so long as they stay focused on the issue and not candidate campaigns Nonprofits cannot: u u Endorse or speak out against candidates or political parties u Contribute to campaign funds u Distribute third-party statements that favor or oppose candidates Advocacy can be indirect in the form of education, information sharing, and media or direct in the form of lobbying. Either way, effective advocacy is based upon relationships. Nonprofits should call upon their allies, such as board members, volunteers, funders and clients, to help advocate for their cause.
RESOURCES u Americans for the Arts u Rhode Island State Pages https://www.americansforthearts.org/by-location/rhode-island u Appropriations, Creative industries report, ArtsIndex (local/ national) u Public Opinion Poll https://www.americansforthearts.org/by-program/reports-and- data/research-studies-publications/public-opinion-poll u What Americans say about the arts in 2018 u Social Impact Explorer https://www.americansforthearts.org/socialimpact u “Arts and” resources, case studies, fact sheets, definitions
What is advocacy? u Storytelling u Casemaking u Connecting u Acknowledging u Being a brand ambassador u SHOUT OUTS!!
What can I do? u Send a letter to your Governor and elected local officials u Send a thank you letter to your funder u Add a call out in your newsletter or website u Regular check-ins with your funders about your success u Give your board and staff talking points u Give your program participants talking points or social media posts What are YOU doing? What can YOU do?
Arts Action Fund www.artsactionfund.org/pages/join The Arts Action Fund is the only national organization that mobilizes Americans in the fight for arts funding and arts education. We’re building a nationwide army of citizen activists who will help guarantee that arts-friendly public policies are adopted at the federal, state, and local levels. Add your voice! u Donate to the Arts Action Fund Help the Arts Action Fund advance the arts and arts education in your community and across the country. u Become a Member Annual membership is free. Join the movement to advance the arts and arts education in your community and across the country. u Support Pro-Arts Representatives Review the Congressional Arts Report Card which grades all current Members of Congress on their support for the arts. u Tell a friend Spread the word and share what you’ve found with your friends. You can even customize the message, if you’d like. u Contact Your Legislator Two minutes! That’s all it takes to tell Congress to support the arts and arts education.
QUESTIONS?
Ruby Lopez Harper THANK u 202.371.2830, x2079 YOU!! u rharper@artsusa.org u www.AmericansfortheArts.org
Finishing Your Arts and Culture Story u Part 2: STORY OF US u What information + data was shared today that could help you discuss your work’s impact? u What stories do you have from people who have been impacted by your work u Part 3: STORY OF NOW u What do we need to do?
What Next? u Fill out your Evaluation Form NOW! u Look for a follow-up email from RISCA with a link to an Advocacy Resources page on our website. u Check out Americans for the Arts resources. u Finish What is Your Arts and Culture Story? Exercise. u Join either our Arts Administrators of Rhode Island or Artists and Creatives of Rhode Island Facebook Groups. u Start your advocacy!
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