| Advocacy
Basics |
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Advocacy
is about communication and building relationships. The
more successful you are in each of these endeavors,
the more successful your advocacy efforts are likely
to be. |
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Develop
relationships on all levels of government: local, state,
and federal. Remember that federal legislation can affect
state and local government, but no level of government
is more important than another. Local government is
a good place to get started in being a communicative
citizen. |
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Keep
your legislators informed and up-to-date about your
activities, accomplishments and events. Provide them
with information, contacts, and referrals so they can
find out more. |
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Know
your legislators. Find out all you can about their special
interests and favorite causes. This information will
help you tailor your presentation to legislators' personal
interests. Find out what committees legislators are
on so that you can target the right official for your
issue and know who can make or break a piece of legislation.
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Address
legislators who are already supportive of arts and culture,
as well as those who are not supportive. Keep them informed
as issues change or legislation moves. |
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Make
sure that the legislator or legislative office that
you are communication with knows that you are a constituent. |
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Be
personable. Friendly, charming contacts will keep the
lines of communication open and relaxed. Be polite and
appreciative. |
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Keep
it simple and stick to one issue at a time. Long lists
of issues can cause the most important issues to get
lost in the crowd. Focus your legislators by prioritizing
one or a few related issues. |
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Get
to know legislative staff. The aides to an elected official
are powerful influences on the official. They assemble
and analyze the research and data that later forms the
presentation of an issue to the legislator. A staff
member on your side is a powerful ally. Keep in mind
that legislative staff can change frequently, so be
sure to stay current and offer to brief new staff about
your issues and concerns. Find out who on the legislator's
staff is responsible for arts and culture research and
issues. |
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Always
provide accurate information when communicating with
an elected official. Don't be afraid to admit you don't
have the answer to a question; promise to research the
answer and get back to them. Misinformation given hastily
can be damaging. |
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Try
to get a commitment. Be direct about what action you
feel is appropriate and try to get a commitment from
the official as to what he/she will do. |
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| Communicating
with your Legislators |
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There
are several methods of contacting elected officials:
letter and fax, phone call, e-mail, and by personal
visit. Communication by any method can seem intimidating,
but remember, the legislator needs your well-researched
and organized thoughts to make decisions that will be
appropriate and benefit you, your patrons, and your
audience. Do your homework and take time to organize
a persuasive presentation. Decide which method is the
most appropriate under your circumstances and for your
needs. |
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Ten
tips for writing to your legislators |
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Ten
tips for communicating with legislators via telephone |
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Tips
for personal visits with legislators |
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Additional
tips for communicating with elected officials can be
found on the AFTA
website. |
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| Sample
Testimony for Legislative Hearings |
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The
opportunity to provide testimony to state legislative
committees is an excellent way to make connections with
legislators, connecting the all important facts and
figures with personal stories and experiences. The following
are examples of arts and culture related testimony: |
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Sample
oral testimony presented by Philip Horn, Executive Director
of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts to the Pennsylvania
House of Representatives Urban Affairs Committee on
May 15, 2008. |
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Sample
oral testimony presented by Bill Valerio, Assistant
Director for Administration, Philadelphia Museum of
Art to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Urban Affairs Committee on May 15, 2008. |
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Sample
oral testimony presented by Kim I. Plyler, Director
of Marketing and Public Relations, ArtsQuest in Bethlehem,
PA to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Urban Affairs Committee on May 15, 2008. |
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Sample
of written testimony submitted by Joanne Riley, President,
Cultural Alliance of York County to the Pennsylvania
House of Representatives Urban Affairs Committee on
May 15, 2008. |
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Full
transcript of that hearing on the economic impact of
the arts in Pennsylvania including testimony from Greater
Pittsburgh Arts Council CEO Mitch Swain (starting on
page 25). |
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| Facts
about the Economic Impact of the Arts And Culture Sector |
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Successful
advocates need to be prepared to back up their passionate
arguments and personal anecdotes with meaningful facts
and figures. The following information will assist
you in making the case for arts and culture on the
local, state and national levels.
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Nationally |
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$166.2
billion in economic activity generated |
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5.7
million full-time equivalent jobs supported |
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$12.6
billion in Federal Income tax revenue |
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In
Pennsylvania |
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$1.99
billion in state economic activity generated |
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61,985
full-time equivalent jobs supported |
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$282.98
million in government revenue |
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In
Allegheny County |
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$341.56
million in local economic activity generated |
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10,192
full-time equivalent jobs supported |
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$33
million in local and state government revenue |
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Source:
Arts & Economic Prosperity III: The Economic
Impact of Nonprofit Arts and Culture Organizations and
Their Audiences. For more information about this
study visit the AEPIII page
of our website.
Copyright 2007 by Americans for the Arts (www.AmericansForTheArts.org). |
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| Building
an Advocacy Network |
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Successful
advocacy efforts are rarely the result of the actions
of only one organization or individual. To increase
your chances of success it is important to get as many
people involved in your advocacy effort as possible.
When building your advocacy network it is important
to: |
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Involve
your board and staff members |
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Make
friends with the media |
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Involve
your member and their board and staff |
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Elicit
support from anyone who supports your cause |
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Work
with local, state and national partners |
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Use
all of your personal networks |
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| Advocacy
Links |
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AFTA
Arts Action Center
- Americans for the Arts is the nation's leading nonprofit
organization for advancing the arts in America. Their
website contains a wide variety of useful tools and
information for the arts advocate. |
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Arts
Advocacy Checklist - Courtesy of the National Assembly
of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) |
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Arts
on the Line: Tools for the Arts Advocate - Articles
and resources, speeches, advocacy links. The aim of
AOTL is to give surfers quick and easy access to the
best of this information as well as access to original
materials that might help in making the case for stronger
and more vibrant arts communities. |
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Citizens
for the Arts in Pennsylvania - The only statewide
multidisciplinary arts organization committed to advancing
the arts in Pennsylvania through advocacy, programs,
and services. |
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