Advocacy

Whether arts advocates contact their representatives directly, or work with the media to present a continual positive image of the arts to the public, advocacy is essential to encouraging funding and support from government at all levels.

Companies & Organizations

As a local arts group, your organization can make a difference in conveying the impact of the arts and arts education in your communities to local, state & national leaders in both the public and private sectors. Without your help, they may not realize the ability of the arts to support jobs, engage kids in school, and change lives in your area.

Individuals

As a constituent, you are the ideal grassroots advocate to convey to local, state & national leaders how essential the arts and arts education are to your community. You have the power to educate them about the importance of the arts in your community and to engage them on important arts issues at any number of levels.

Helpful Resources

• Advocacy Handout (PDF). Two-page document explains how community theatres are critical to the cultural life of their communities.

• A sample article from AACT's members-only pages: "Make Your Case: Former lawmakers discuss effective advocacy"

• Arts Advocacy Toolkit. While designed to help advocate for the expansion of
  arts education in our schools, much of the information can be adapted for community theatre.

• "Advocacy and Lobbying: Speaking Up for the Arts" - a six-page article that explains the difference between advocacy (permitted of nonprofit groups) and lobbying (not permitted).

• "Advocacy Basics for Performing Arts Organizations," a Web resource from the American Arts Alliance.

• The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies. State arts agencies increase public access to the arts and work to ensure that every community in America enjoys the cultural, civic, economic and educational benefits of a thriving arts sector.