Arts Advocacy

In 2005 patrons and non-profit arts organizations
added $2.15 billion
to the DC economy.*

Tools for Advocates:

KhaRabia Rayford, Khaymbia Arts Institute
Jill Strachan, GLBT Arts Consortium
Dorothy McSweeny, D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities
Anthony Gittens, D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanitie
Advocacy Do's & Don't's For Nonprofits Who Want To Avoid Lobbying

 

(Examples - Not a Complete List)

Do:
  1. Build relationships with government officials and other decision-makers:
    visit their offices, write thank-you notes, and get to know them over the long-term.
  2. Educate people about your organization and community.
  3. . Encourage community members to register to vote, vote, and communicate with government officials.
  4. Invite government officials from the major political parties to participate in your events and meet community members.
  5. Add government officials and other decision-makers to your newsletter mailing list.
  6. Hold candidate forums that equally invite participation from all major political parties participating in the election.
  7. If asked by a government official, provide information about how laws or policies that have already passed have affected your communities.
  8. Encourage people to naturalize as U.S. citizens.
Don't:
  1. Support or oppose any candidate for political office.
  2. Support or oppose any bill or referendum that is being considered for a vote by legislators or ordinary citizens.
  3. Allow anyone to collect money for a political campaign in your office, or allow anyone to distribute political literature in your office.
  4. Engage in conversation with any legislator or policymaker about a particular bill or referendum that will be voted on - if you are being supported at the time by funds from the government, or if it might appear so. Explain your limitations to them, if asked.
  5. Invite legislators/policymakers from just one political party (to the exclusion of others) to work with you or attend your events.

Produced By The Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC)
Used with permission

Tell your council member how important the arts are to your life, and the quality of life in DC.

Website for the DC Council:
http://www.dccouncil.us/

 

*Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington

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