Wisconsin Assembly for Local Arts - Latest Advocacy News

Advocacy

Arts Day 2004

Wednesday, March 3, 2004

hosted by Arts Action Wisconsin
a program of the Wisconsin Assembly for Local Arts
and statewide organization partners

Why do we need arts advocacy_

Since the arts are essential to Wisconsin's cultural and spiritual quality of life, to our economic development, and to the education of our children, arts and cultural opportunities should be a priority when public policy is made.

Arts Day and other activities throughout the year facilitate the Wisconsin Assembly for Local Arts' advocacy work.

Because true, effective advocacy is not just about getting an elected official to vote for a specific piece of legislation -- it’s about building relationships that last.

Even though this year is not a budget year – ESPECIALLY since it’s not a budget year – our voices must be heard! Everyone who cares about the arts and about Wisconsin’s future must become an advocate NOW. Your legislators need to hear from their constituents this year about the long-term, critical issues facing the arts and their support in your community.

We were successful last year in holding back drastic cuts to the Wisconsin Arts Board’s budget because so many of you voiced your advocacy for the arts through emails, letters, personal meetings, and participation in Arts Day at the State Capitol. This year, we must continue to speak up for the Arts Board and other agencies, including the Department of Commerce, Department of Tourism, and Department of Public Instruction – for sustained, long-term support throughout state government.

The evidence is clear – participation and involvement in the arts and arts education are important to the people of Wisconsin – and critical to the long-term economic, educational and civic health and well-being of Wisconsin’s communities. It’s more important than ever to get involved in the efforts to grow the arts across the state!

To make this happen, the arts need advocates like you – artists, arts administrators, board members, audience members, teachers, parents, students, and many others – at the Capitol on March 3.

Sacrifice one day of work – and let your voice be heard in support of the arts all year long in every corner of the state.

Stuff you need to know to make your participation fruitful and fun (UPDATED):

Local Media Campaign
Help raise awareness of the arts in your community with a local media campaign. If you can't make it to Madison on Arts Day, you can still participate right in your own home town!

Endorsing Partners:
Alliance for Wisconsin Theatre Education
Design Madison
Theatre Wisconsin
Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters
Wisconsin Advocates for Music Education
Wisconsin Alliance for Arts Education
Wisconsin Alliance of Artists and Craftspeople
Wisconsin Association of CVBs
Wisconsin Foundation for the Arts
Wisconsin High School Forensic Association
Wisconsin Main Street Program
Wisconsin Public Radio
Wisconsin Rural Partners

Links to Other Helpful Websites
District Information
All you need is your Zip+ 4 code to find the legislator for the district in which you live.

Arts Day 2004 is made possible with generous support from the American Express Company, Burke Family Foundation, the Anthony Petullo Foundation, and the Richard and Ethel Herzfeld Foundation.