Stand Up for Arts and Culture in Illinois

We have important information that affects you directly to share from our colleagues at Arts Alliance Illinois.

CHICAGO MAYORAL ELECTION
Voter turnout and civic engagement are essential to a thriving democracy.

On April 7th, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County Commissioner Jesús "Chuy" Garcia will face-off in Chicago's first ever run-off election for mayor.

Both as organizations and individuals, we need to be active this election season in order to promote arts-friendly public policies and actions. Arts Alliance Illinois has called upon both Mayor Emanuel and Commissioner Garcia to share their views on arts policy issues. This information will be shared in the coming weeks.

In the lead-up to the April 7th runoff, we will keep you posted on nonpartisan ways that you can help place culture and the arts center stage this election season. In addition - as a citizen and voter - there are a number of ways that you can get involved with the mayoral campaign of your choice. If you work for a nonprofit, be sure to stay within permissible guidelines for political activity. A good resource can be found in Independent Sector's Election-Related Activities for 501c3 Organizations. Or check with your organization's counsel or tax accountant.

To learn more about the candidates, we encourage you to visit:
Chicago for Rahm - http://www.chicagotogether.org/
Chuy for Chicago - http://chicagoforchuy.com/

ILLINOIS ARTS COUNCIL BUDGET
Governor Bruce Rauner has proposed $6 billion in cuts to state programs and services, including significant cuts to child care, public transit, higher education, youth services, and much more. The Governor's recent actions would also slash the state's investment in culture and the arts by drastically cutting the Illinois Arts Council Agency's budget.

The Illinois Arts Council Agency (IACA) is facing a freeze and a proposed draconian cut -- a spending freeze for the current fiscal year (FY2015) and a proposed 20% reduction to the agency's budget for next fiscal year (FY2016).

Arts Alliance Illinois and its many partners are educating lawmakers about the benefits of culture and the arts. They recently sent a letter sent to Governor Rauner outlining how the proposed budget cuts are counterproductive and do nothing to stimulate economic growth. (CLICK TO VIEW LETTER) The Alliance also continues to forge partnerships with policy makers and public agencies, raise awareness of the benefits of arts and culture, and empower advocates throughout Illinois.

The budget process is not over. It's time to stand up for arts and culture in Illinois. Send an email now to Governor Rauner and your state lawmakers urging them to protect the small but essential state investment in IACA.

Cast your vote for the arts in Chicago!

Do you believe the arts are important to a strong Chicago? We need your help! In a few days, all 50 Chicago City Council seats will be up for election on February 24. Help us show all 183 candidates for alderman that Chicagoans care deeply about culture and the arts – and ask them to pledge their support for the continued implementation of the Chicago Cultural Plan. Click here to cast your vote for the arts scene in Chicago. Thank you!

Ticket Broker Bill

Please submit a slip of support for HB3958 which is coming up for a committee meeting on Monday, April 7, 2014.  The bill forces ticket brokers to disclose that they are brokers and let patrons know the name and contact information for the theatre.  This bill will prevent brokers from masking their sites as a theatre box office and will prevent patrons from buying tickets that are exorbitantly priced or counterfeit.

The instructions look cumbersome, but it only takes 5 minutes.

How to Submit a Slip of Support for HB3958

- Go to www.ilga.gov

- Go to GA Dashboard

- Select the House tab

- Select Committee Hearings

- Select the Month tab at the top

- Scroll down the list to the "Business and Occupational Licenses Committee"

- Click on the icon to the right

- The bill is HB3958 - Stephanie Kifowit is the sponsor

- Click on the "Create Witness Slip" icon to the right

- Fill in your personal/organization information

- Under section III Position, select Proponent

- You also have the option to file a written testimony. Please consider taking this action. This will help the committee understand the issues that many patrons and venues are facing.

- If you would like to submit written testimony, please fax to to the Committee Clerk at 217-557-2165. Be sure to include HB3958 Business and Occupational license committee.

I know, I know...

Well, I know you all hate advocacy but listen up people, this is important. Most of you are non profit arts organizations, supported by our federal government in two ways, through paying no or minimal taxes and through charitable giving tax deductions whereby private citizens reduce their tax burden by making donations to non profit organizations recognized by the government as such. I know you all know all of this but I point it out to point out that grants are not the only thing that comes from the government and they are thinking about taking away the charitable giving tax deduction.

Earlier this year as a part of the fiscal cliff deal – households with high incomes ($300,000 for a couple, $250,000 for an individual) were already hit with a reduction in the amount of deductions that they can take. It’s a little complicated, the best explanation I found was here. So already, we don’t even know how this will affect us at the end of the year. There are various proposals under consideration to further reduce the deductions that taxpayers can take for charitable giving. So, write or call your congresspeople and let them know that you are having none of that. There is an easy way to do that here.

Deb

Advocacy Roundtable

Monday, September 24, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
League of Chicago Theatre Offices, 17 N. Wabash, Suite 520
Election Day is just 56 days away. Voters will decide whether President Barack Obama stays in the White House, and here in Illinois, all 177 seats in the General Assembly and 18 seats in the U.S. House are up for grabs.

The winners of the 2012 elections will shape cultural policy for years to come. What can theatres do to engage in the democratic process and achieve meaningful policy victories for the arts? Find out in this special election edition of our arts advocacy training.

Presented by Arts Alliance Illinois, this training will cover:
 • What is in-bounds and out-of-bounds when it comes to election advocacy
• Ways to engage candidates and get their support before Election Day
• How to build relationships with elected officials after November 6
 Full of stories, role plays, and lessons learned from the Alliance's own advocacy campaigns, you'll leave this training with an action plan to participate in and benefit from the 2012 elections.

This roundtable is free for League members, but space is limited. RSVP to ben@chicagoplays.com to attend.

Visit Your Federal Elected Officials

From the Performing Arts Alliance
In the next couple of weeks, Congress will adjourn for its annual summer recess. Representatives and Senators will be in their home districts and states August 4 through September 9. During this summer break, the Performing Arts Alliance would like to encourage you to reach out to your federal elected officials and visit them in their district and state offices.

A number of legislative policy issues that will impact the nonprofit performing arts community are in motion, so this is the perfect time to continue to build relationships and brief your Representative and Senators on the issues important to the performing arts field. Introduce you and your organization, add them to your mailing list, request a meeting to tell them about who you serve, and establish yourself as a powerful resource for them.

Tips for In-person Legislatiave Visits:
Share relevant, personal stories. How has your organization benefited from National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) support? What community partnerships are you engaged in? How were you first exposed to the arts?
Be prepared with talking points. What issues do you want to focus on in your meeting? Does the legislator sit on committees that oversee those issues? Most meetings are brief. Advance preparation will help you speak concisely and effectively. Visit the links to key issue briefs below.
Be prepared with leave-behinds. Though many staffers attempt to take detailed notes, a leave-behind outlining your "ask" and reasons for the "ask" will ensure your message is passed on accurately to the legislator. In addition, feel free to leave a brochure on your organization's programs and performances.

Invite Congress to Your Performance or Event
One of the best ways to convince elected officials of the public value of your performing arts organization is to show them - firsthand - a performance experience. Take advantage of members of Congress in their home districts and states this summer and invite them to a concert, reception, community event, or education program.

If you decide to invite your member(s) of Congress to a performance or event, be sure to check the Performing Arts Alliance Guide to Professional Gift Rules in advance. The Alliance has crafted clear guidelines for understanding how to invite members of Congress to your events, keeping in mind the Congressional gift rules. Your advocacy for federal arts funding and charitable giving is vital as Congress works to make budgetary choices in this difficult economic time. The arts community must raise its voice and stress the public value of federal support for the arts. The arts are cornerstones of economically-strong communities nationwide and contribute to community progress, growth, and improved quality of life. Federal policy and funding support should continue to recognize and reflect that.

Find Your Elected Officials
Click here to find your federal elected officials. When you contact them, be sure to say you are a constituent and request to schedule a meeting with your legislator or the relevant staffer.

On Advocacy

I am going to Arts Advocacy Day in Washington next week. I wrote about it after I got back last year. I was really happy I went – we get to sit down with congresspeople and/or their staffers and talk about issues of policy and budget that matter to us. They actually listen and respond. I learned a lot last year about advocacy. Typical issues concern funding for the NEA, visas for foreign artists, funding for Arts Education, the usual. I’m wondering if there is anything anyone would like me to bring up in these meetings. While I’m certain that most of you are equally concerned with the above issues, are there any in particular that you would like to see emphasized? Have you heard any new ways of talking about the arts that might grab people’s attention?

While we are talking about advocacy, have you signed the petition supporting a robust and important cultural plan for Chicago? Yesterday we passed our goal of 3000 signatures by May 8! Sign today and help us get to the new goal of 5,000, I bet we can even do that one by May 8. And please re-post the request for your friends, audiences and supporters to sign.

Deb

Advocacy 201 Roundtable

Monday, January 23, 2012, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
League of Chicago Theatres offices, 228 S. Wabash, Suite 200

Chicago is about to create a cultural plan for the first time in 25 years. Decisions made today will impact you and your theatre for generations to come. Learn how to have a seat at the table and make your voice heard in Arts Advocacy 201. This advanced training covers:

* What is in-bounds and out-of-bounds when it comes to advocacy, lobbying, and elections
* How to design an advocacy strategy and select advocacy tactics that work
* Ways to engage in the Chicago Cultural Plan and the 2012 elections

You will leave with a plan to engage your elected officials that is tailored to your theatre as well as with specific steps you can take to participate in and impact the Chicago Cultural Plan.

Presented by Arts Alliance Illinois, this training is full of stories, role plays (made infamous at last year's Arts Advocacy 101 training), and lessons learned from the Alliance's own advocacy experiences.

This roundtable is free for League members, but space is limited. RSVP to ben@chicagoplays.com to attend.

One State Together in the Arts Conference May 23, 24

One State Together in the Arts Conference
May 23, 24, 2011
Bloomington-Normal, IL

REGISTER NOW

Rather than lots of plenaries and concurrent sessions, this year One State has a total of ten presenters. Their talks will explore breakthrough ideas, breakthrough people, and breakthrough connections. Most of them will have 20 minutes (no more, no less) to share a big idea or big inspiration with the entire audience. There will also be breakouts where participants can interact with the presenters and share their own stories and breakthroughs.

Conference Presenters Include:
Bruce Mau (Keynote) -- visionary designer and author.
Frank Maugeri -- co-artistic director of Redmoon Theater
James Goggin -- director of design, print, and digital media for the Museum of Contemporary Art
Albany Park Theater Project (APTP) -- a multiethnic community of teen artists that has created more than 50 world-premiere original plays and performed for 30,000 audience members
Kevin Coval -- co-founder of Louder Than A Bomb: The Chicago Teen Poetry Festival
Dr. Carrie Sandahl -- head of the new Program on Disability Art, Culture, and Humanities
The Honorable Sheila Simon -- Illinois' Lieutenant Governor
Daniel Sinker -- assistant professor at Columbia College Chicago, founder and past editor-in-chief of Punk Planet
Tanya Saracho -- playwright, co-founder and former artistic director of Teatro Luna, and more...
Orbert Davis -- Acclaimed trumpeter/composer and co-founder, artistic director, and conductor of the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic

Read more about the presenters.

Then what are we fighting for?

I joined several of our colleagues in other disciplines as a part of the Illinois Delegation at Arts Advocacy Day in Washington last week. We were capably led by Scarlett and Ra at Arts Alliance Illinois. It was a fun and enlightening couple of days, learning about lobbying techniques and issues and visiting with our elected officials. One of whom when told the budget for the NEA called the entire budget “budget dust,” meaning it is such a small amount of money she can’t believe people care about cutting it.

While I was there I thought of three things I wanted to put in the blog, put now I can only remember two of them. Kevin Spacey gave a lecture and the one thing that sticks with me is a story he told about Churchill who, when told that the budget for arts would have to be cut to fund the war effort during WWII said “then what are we fighting for?” I just loved that. The other thing is that after Kevin spoke, a guy from Oklahoma who is on the board of Americans for the Arts spoke briefly and at the end of his remarks he said “Don’t get hit.” Anybody have any idea what that might mean?

It felt really meaningful to be there and to be talking to people and educating people about issues that are important to artists and arts organizations. Alec Baldwin was there and Hill Harper and lots of other people, you should come next year, but in the meantime, you can check out www.artsusa.org and look at everything that went on.

Deb

Jesse White Kissed Me

I’m going to Arts Advocacy Day in D.C. next week and that got me thinking. We have been doing a lot more work around advocacy lately and I have actually really enjoyed it. In fact, last week I got to go, thanks to the Arts Alliance, to Lt. Governor Sheila Simon’s birthday party over at the Thompson Center. The Governor was there and Jesse White (he kissed me) was there and Alderman Burnett and guess what, they talked about how important theatre was, that’s right, they did, just in conversation, there were no speeches or anything and admittedly they know who I represent, but I have to tell you it was very gratifying.

And here’s what I was thinking about…I know you depend on us to do advocacy work and naturally we will continue to do it, but I’m wondering if any of you have become more involved in advocacy and particularly in political advocacy and if you have enjoyed it. Can you let me know – comment, email or call.

I have to tell you, I never thought I would like it, not one bit. I am as politically involved as the next guy I guess, I vote and I care a lot about some issues and not at all about others. But, to do the work and keep talking about something I am passionate about and to try to share that passion without looking like a loon or a crackpot, it’s been challenging but rewarding.

Deb

Opening Doors: Building a Relationship with your Alderman

On April 7 at 6 p.m., join the League of Chicago Theatres and Arts Alliance Illinois as we welcome Alderman Vi Daley to the Richard Christiansen Theater at the Victory Gardens Biograph (2433 N. Lincoln). Alderman Daley has been a staunch ally and vocal advocate for arts and culture in her 43rd Ward since she took office in 1999. She's retiring from city government at the end of her term this May, but before she goes Alderman Daley has agreed to share her favorite "do's" and "don'ts" for connecting with your organization's alderman - as well as examples of successful public/private partnerships between organizations and city officials.

With accomplishments such as helping Victory Gardens obtain and renovate the Biograph, creating the Lakefront Sculpture Exhibit, and championing the Old Town Art Fair and the renovation of Lincoln Hall, Alderman Daley brings a wealth of knowledge and strategies to this discussion. We are grateful for her enthusiasm, and eager to share her wisdom with you.

Space is limited for this conversation - please RSVP to Ben Thiem: ben@chicagoplays.com.

And - as a bonus - please stay after the conversation and receive a special industry rate for that evening’s performance of Victory Gardens Theater’s production of Annie Baker’s Circle Mirror Transformation. Performance begins at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 with the code “Industry” and may be purchased in advance by calling 773.871.3000. Tickets subject to availability.

An Unexpected Outcome

I had the pleasure of attending an aldermanic forum in my ward (46th) on Tuesday night. There are 11 candidates in my ward. That was not really fun, listening to them all, but I went with a friend who also lives in the 46th and it just felt so American and neighborly and kind of great. It was at a bar and there was food and drinks and everyone talking to each other. I didn’t hate any of the candidates, but one far and away impressed me more than the others. This candidate was so great, I wish I could say who it was, but I can’t here, not allowed to endorse a candidate. I went into that meeting having looked at the websites of the candidates and knowing a tiny bit about a few of them. I came out completely jazzed about the possibility of this person being my alderman. A totally unexpected outcome.

I had never been to one of these before, and I strongly encourage all of you to go to one if you can. It was fun, and guess what? It was theatre! I think we all get a little jaded listening to candidates give stump speeches and never vary from a script. These were real people with real passion and real thoughts about real issues sitting in a circle on folding chairs at a local bar with a mic that only worked sometimes. I know it’s hard to get info on Aldermanic candidates but I truly think if you go to one of these you will come out with a much better idea of who you want representing you – it was only a little more than an hour for 11 candidates and you’d spend that much time googling them anyway.

Deb

What Can We Do?

Last week we sent all the Aldermanic candidates (even those who are running unopposed) packets of information about Chicago theatre and a list of theatres in their wards. We also sent copies of those packets to each theatre in the ward. Please follow up with your aldermanic candidates by letting them know that you care about arts policy in the city and letting them know about all the great things you do in your ward. As we get responses from the candidates we will post them on our website. Don't know what's going on in your ward? Find out here.

Did you go to ArtsPowerChicago.com yet? Not only can you sign the petition theatre, but there is lots of good info.

What can we do to help? Do you need talking points? Need a template for a letter? Email us or give us a call, we would be more than happy to work with you to develop something.

Look in your inboxes next week for an invitation to the Mayoral Debate on February 17. I hope to see you all there.

Deb

Have you made your voice heard?

Have you made your voice heard? Thanks to the Arts Alliance Illinois, all of the mayoral candidates have signed on to the Principles for a 21st Century Creative Chicago. That is fantastic news, it means that each candidate has said that the arts and arts education are important to them. The League sent letters and packets of information about Chicago theatre to all the candidates this week. It would be really awesome if you could write each of them a letter letting them know how important you are and it would be incredibly awesome if you exhorted your constituents to do the same. If you don’t know what to write, contact us, we can give you tips.

Two other things you can do…have you signed the petition yet? Please go to ArtsPowerChicago.com and add your name to the list of supporters in Chicago. AND…ask your supporters to do the same. Sign up for our advocacy training on Monday, January 24 – it’s a great opportunity to learn what to say and how to say it and it’s fun!

Arts Power Chicago

What an exciting time to be a citizen of Chicago and to be involved in a real way in local politics. Can you do one simple thing right now? Go to ArtsPowerChicago.com and sign the petition, tell the candidates you care about the arts in Chicago. Just go do it, right now. Then come back and finish reading.

Great! Signing the petition is an important first step. The goal is to have 10,000 signatures on that petition, personally, I think we can do much better than that. What did you say? That was so much fun you want to do more? OK, post the link to the petition on your facebook page, tweet it, blog it, and if you really want to go crazy, send an email to your constituents urging them to sign it. Go do that, should take about 10 minutes, then come back and finish reading.

As promised the League has developed a page on our website where you can go for more information. There is lots more there. Go there.

Each Mayoral candidate has received a document that includes Principles for a 21st Century Creative Chicago. We are asking all candidates to sign on to that indicating their support for the arts in Chicago by tomorrow. You can find that document here.

If you are still looking for more ways to get involved, please see last week’s blog here.

Chicago is a world-class city and an extraordinary place to live because of our arts industry. Let’s make ourselves heard.

Advocacy Roundtables

Mondays, December 20 and January 24, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
League offices, 228 S. Wabash, Suite 200
With the race to be Chicago's next mayor and many aldermen on, advocacy must be center stage for your theatre. We explain why and answer the who, what, when, where, and how in Arts Advocacy 101.
Training take-aways include:
· Why advocacy is essential for artists and arts organizations
· Who can engage in advocacy and the in-bound and out-of-bound activities for nonprofits
· What to expect when you engage decision-makers and elected officials
· How to design an advocacy strategy and select advocacy tactics that work
· The specific challenges and opportunities facing the Chicago theatre community

Presented by Arts Alliance Illinois, this training is full of stories, lessons learned from their own advocacy experiences, and role plays.

RSVP to ben@chicagoplays.com to attend one of these events

Don't Be Late, Advocate

We are going to be doing some advocacy workshops over the next couple of months. The first one is December 20 and Arts Alliance Illinois is going to lead the workshop. We will be learning ways to better connect with and advocate for theatre in Chicago. We are facing a Mayoral election in which we have a huge stake and an Aldermanic election in which we will see 20 new aldermen in Chicago. Making sure we are heard is a top priority for the League and I hope it is for you as well. Come to one of these workshops and learn how you can work to make sure you are heard by our local officials. Chicago has been very supportive of the arts for many years and we need to make sure it stays that way. You may think that this isn’t for you or it doesn’t matter to you but there are an infinite number of ways you can get involved and there are an infinite number of ways in which City policy affects your organization, it’s not just about CityArts grants.

What do Illinois candidates think about the arts?

Arts Alliance Illinois recently sat down with candidates for Illinois governor and U.S. Senate to find out where they stand on the arts and arts education. You can watch the interviews at the link below:

http://www.vimeo.com/album/1458142

As Election Day is rapidly approaching, please share these short video interviews with your friends and colleagues in the arts.

Please also remember to get out and vote on Tuesday, November 2nd!

Advocacy in Action

I talked a little bit about advocacy last week and since then I have been involved in a couple of advocacy trainings and even met with some of Dick Durbin's staffers yesterday in DC. So I am jazzed about advocacy. One thing I learned that I thought was really interesting and inspires me to write more letters is that it only takes ten letters from constituents (that is real letters, not the ones someone sends you to send), for a legislator to take notice. Ten letters only, I don't think there is any one of you who doesn't have ten supporters to write a letter for you and imagine if it only takes ten what 200 will do. While we were waiting for Dick Durbin's staffers yesterday I started talking to the folks who answer the phone there (at 5:00 it was ringing about once every minute or so) and it was all people who wanted to say what they thought about a specific issue. Every one of those comments gets recorded and entered into the Congressional Record. The staffers told me that they were 95% negative because people don't call unless they are angry. But hey, if you call, your opinion gets recorded and entered into the congressional record. Maybe some of you knew that, but I didn't. A former state legislator's staffer said that a big part of his job was to find good works, do them and get credit for them.

Here's the deal, I'm starting to get the message that in fact, our legislators actually care about our issues if we care, but we have to tell them we care. So, let them know about the issues that are important to you but also let them know about the excellent work you are doing with city, state or federal funding, international exchange, whatever it is. Apparently they love anecdotes, so if you have a great story...tell it to them so they can repeat it when they make your case, which is, after all, their job.

Deb