Arts Advocacy Day: Washington Braces for Advocates Conveying Arts' Impact

In times when it feels necessary to reiterate the impact of the arts and arts education across peoples’ lives, arts advocates from across the United States will gather in Washington, D.C. on March 12 and 13, for Arts Advocacy Day.

The event is expected to bring together a broad representation of the nation’s cultural and civic organizations, along with grassroots advocates, to stress the “importance of developing strong public policies and appropriating increased public funding for the arts,” according to Americans for the Arts, the organization that hosts the annual convening.

This year, Arts Advocacy Day will take place following the Trump Administration’s 2019 budget request that proposes the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), among other cultural agencies. (Read GIA’s Board of Directors letter asking Congress to support cultural agencies at risk in the President’s 2019 proposed budget.)

Shannon McDermott, an intern at Americans for the Arts, wrote a post on what can be expected during this year’s Arts Advocacy Day, including many participants sharing why and how the arts are important to them:

Some will share stories of how art has helped family members suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in the military. Others will talk about creative jobs fueling a local economy. Artists may come with photos of how their public art has brought a community together. Others will talk about how grants received from the National Endowment for the Arts have provided spaces for creatives to give back to their neighborhoods.

McDermott continues, "Funding and supporting art projects elevates creative, diverse voices. And those art projects can even change public policy, whether that be through provocative protest art or dialogue shifting after a local dance class performs their work in a community center."

Approaches to Strong Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies, in which Nadia Elokdah, deputy director & director of programs of GIA, will participate, Advancing Arts and Health, and State Trends in Arts Education Policy, are among this year's breakout sessions.

Access here the full schedule and registration details.

Image: Maria Bryk, Americans for the Arts, Arts Advocacy Day Flickr