2010 Election Season - speak up for the arts, arts education and creative economy!
Actions for arts advocates
Candidates
Issues, information, resources, tools
2010 is a very important election year in Wisconsin, and therefore it is an important year for envisioning the future. It's critical that the candidates - on all levels - know that now, more than ever, investment in the arts, arts education and creative economy is not separate from the overall priorities of the state-it's vital to the overall health and well-being of the people of Wisconsin. We want them to include the arts, arts education and creative economy in their ideas, dreams and plans.
The general election is on Tuesday, November 2. This is the moment - to make sure that Wisconsin's candidates know that the arts are "part of the solution," and, to help them use that information as they campaign in their districts, and after the election as the governing begins.
Actions
What can you do to educate candidates
about the arts, arts education and creative economy? Plenty!
Arts Wisconsin has the resources to help Wisconsin arts activists speak up with candidates on all levels. Here's what artists, performers, staff members, board members, volunteers, and other advocates can do to bring the arts, arts education and creative economy to get the arts front and center:
1) Know your candidates. Check:
- your local media
- WisPolitics.com
- The Wheeler Report's 2010 election site
- We The People
- Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Election 2010
- Wisconsin State Journal Elections website
for up-to-date information on all candidates running for election this year.
2) Connect with candidates to help them learn about the public value of the arts, arts education and creative economy in their districts:
- Put the candidates on your email and snail mail lists so that they receive regular updates from you and your organization.
- Call, write, email, or - better yet - set up a meeting, to let candidates know why the arts, arts education, and creative economy are important to the people in their districts, and about the work that you do to make a difference.
- Provide candidates with information on The Arts and the Creative Economy: 21st Century Growth in Wisconsin. Add stories from your program participants and data about your audiences and you've got yourself a powerful advocacy platform.
3) 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 superintendent, school board members, and other civic leaders, to a performance, exhibit, program or event.
- Feature a program insert with information about the value of the arts.
- Post information about the arts on FaceBook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube.
4. Use Arts Wisconsin's resources during campaign season (below) - frequently updated throughout the year.
Candidates' responses to survey questions (updated as survey answers come in):
- U.S. Congress and House of Representatives Congressional Report Card (from Americans for the Arts)
- Click
here to ask the federal candidates about their support of the arts.
- State Senate and State Assembly candidate survey
- Click here to ask legislative candidates about their support of the arts.
Issues, information, resources, tools
- Arts, arts education and creative economy issues
- Talking points
and template messages to make the case for the arts, arts
education and creative economy
- Click here for the Legislative Action Center's template message to send to candidates!
- Wisconsin politics websites
- Who are the candidates (from The Wheeler Report)?
- U.S. Senate (1 seat up for election)
- U.S. House of Representatives (all 8 seats up for election)
- Governor
- Lt. Governor
- State Senate (17 odd-numbered seats up for election)
- State Assembly (all 99 seats up for election)
- Voting information
- Your Guide to Voting in Wisconsin - eligibility requirements, voter registration, absentee voting, accessibility and other voter rights
- Government Accountability Board - Elections
- Where to Vote - Voter Public Access*
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updated 10-21-2010