Can't make it to Madison for Arts Day 2010?
You can still speak up for the arts in Wisconsin!
True, effective advocacy is a daily activity. Here's what you and your staff members, board members, volunteers, and other constituents can do on Arts Day and throughout the year!
1) Connect with your legislators
- Drop off a poster of your work or organization at the legislators' office in Madison or in the district.
- Arrange a meeting with the legislator when he/she is in the district, or invite the legislator to an event produced or presented by your organization. Legislators almost always go home for the weekend, often extending the visit from Friday through Monday. Click here for legislative contact information.
- Send a letter letting the legislator know about why the arts are important
to the people in his/her district, and about the work that you do to
make a difference. You can also:
- Fax a message.
- Make a phone call.
- Send an email.
- Send an artwork.
Your purpose in connecting with these legislators is to make sure they know about the public value of the arts, arts education and creative economy in their districts.
2) Promote the value of the arts, arts education and creative economy with your local media and throughout the community
- Write an op-ed piece for your local newspaper.
- Meet with the editorial board of your local newspaper(s).
- Invite the press to an event or meeting featuring the arts in your community.
- Invite the Mayor, City Council, County Board, school board to an event
- Feature a program insert with information about the value of the arts.
- Post information about the arts on FaceBook, LinkedIn, Twitter.
Click here for template messages related to the 2010 Arts Legislative Agenda, to write a legislative message, letter to the editor or op-ed.
How to contact your state legislators
- State Senate contact information
- State Assembly contact information
- Don't know who your state legislators are? Find out here!
Building and sustaining relationships with elected officials and decision-makers
- Advocacy Strategies to help build and sustain relationships
- Ten Tips for Making an Impact on Your Legislator