MONTH

IMPORTANT EVENT(S)

WHAT ORGANIZATIONS CAN DO TO
SPEAK UP FOR THE ARTS

The 2010 election season is starting-advocacy for the arts is more important than ever!

• The Legislature is in session at the State Capitol January 19 to 28, 2010.
• Get to know legislators while they are home in the district-invite them to tour your organization or participate in a performance, exhibit or program.
• Pay attention to the issues and the elections on all levels, but especially for your district's legislators and Congressperson. Introduce yourself, your organization and your work to the candidates.
• Start getting involved in campaigns for your candidates of choice.
• Sign up to attend Arts Day on Wednesday, March 3.
• Join Arts Wisconsin - help us do our work on your behalf!

February 2010

• The Legislature is in session February 16-March 4, 2010.
• Recruit as many colleagues, friends and family members as you can to attend Arts Day on Wednesday, March 3.
• If you know you can’t make it to Madison for Arts Day, there will be opportunities to show support from home!
• Help Arts Wisconsin generate calls, letters, meetings, and events to demonstrate the power of the arts to Wisconsin's future
• Invite legislators and candidates to coffee parties, performances, exhibits, arts education programs, and local events
• Pay attention to, use and share Arts Wisconsin’s Monday and ongoing Action Alerts!

March 2010

LEGISLATURE IN SESSION/CAMPAIGN SEASON

ATTEND ARTS DAY:
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
at Monona Terrace Convention and Community Center and the State Capitol

• Attend Arts Day on Wednesday, March 3!
• Invite your staff, board members, volunteers, audiences, colleagues, friends and family to attend Arts Day.
• If you can’t make it to Madison for Arts Day, hold a local Arts Day event and/or write to your legislator(s) asking for their support of the arts, arts education and creative economy.
• After Arts Day, write to your legislators to thank them for meeting with you and follow up with personal contact in their district; OR, write to your legislators to say "Sorry I couldn't meet with you on Arts Day, but I would like to meet with you in the near future to discuss the arts in your district."
• Join Arts Wisconsin - help us do our work on your behalf!

April 2010

• The Legislature is in session at various times in April and May.
• Use Arts Wisconsin's Arts Action Toolkit and other resources for information on candidates and their positions on the arts and arts education

May 2010

MEET WITH/GET TO KNOW
YOUR LEGISLATORS AND THE CANDIDATES

• Hold a meeting with your own legislator and/or candidates at your house to educate them about what's happening arts-wise in the district, and, about the importance of investment in the arts; OR
• Help Arts Wisconsin put together a coffee party in a targeted district in your area (contact Anne Katz at Arts Wisconsin for more details).
• Join Arts Wisconsin - help us do our work on your behalf!

June 2010

CAMPAIGN SEASON/
CONTINUE TO BE AN ADVOCATE FOR THE ARTS!

• The Legislature finishes its 2010 session by June 9, 2010

The 2010 campaign season is now in full swing. Advocacy for the arts is more important than ever!

• Encourage elected officials and candidates to support local and statewide investment in the arts, arts education and creative economy; here are some suggestions:

- send a message to or meet with legislators and candidates urging their support
- involve boards of directors, volunteers, donors, audiences in speaking up
- include information your organization's program or playbill
- attend a legislative candidate forum in your district and ask the candidates about their support of the arts and arts education (candidate questions coming soon!)

July-August 2010

• Invite legislators and candidates to attend a performance, exhibit or activity in your community
• Hold a meeting for your legislators and legislative candidates at your house to discuss the arts in the district and the importance of the arts to the community
• Join Arts Wisconsin - help us do our work on your behalf!

September 2010

CAMPAIGN SEASON/
PRIMARY ELECTIONS ON SEPTEMBER 14

State agencies submit their budget requests to the Governor and the Department of Administration (DOA).

• 9/14/2010: Partisan Primary for Governor, Lt. Governor, State Senate and Assembly, U.S. Congress and U.S. Senate
• Continue to check and use Arts Wisconsin's Arts Action Toolkit and other resources for information on candidates and their positions on the arts and arts education

October 2010

• Continue to call for the candidates' positions on investment in the arts, arts education and the creative economy
• Join Arts Wisconsin - help us do our work on your behalf!

November 2010

• 11/2/2010: General Election for Governor and Lt. Governor, State Senate and Assembly, U.S. Congress and U.S. Senate

December 2010

ELECTED OFFICIALS GETTING READY TO GOVERN/
2011-2013 STATE BUDGET SEASON DRAWING NEAR

• Congratulate new and returning elected officials and make sure they know about you, your work, your organization, and the importance of the arts in their districts
•The new Governor will introduce the 2011-2013 state budget in February, so advocates should start paying attention!

January 2011

INAUGURATION ON JANUARY 3

• 1/3/2011: Governor and Lt. Governor, State Senate and Assembly, U.S. Congress and U.S. Senate are inaugurated