Hunters and Artists

I’ve been hearing lots of ideas and theories lately, well, I hear lots of ideas and theories all the time. One interesting thing I’ve come across in advocacy work recently has been the idea of the arts partnering up with other causes that have the same interests. I was at arts advocacy day this week and while visiting our members of Congress I saw at least five other groups doing the same thing. I couldn’t help but wonder if we all got together if we couldn’t accomplish more.

In Minnesota, Minnesota Citizens for the Arts partnered with hunters, environmentalists and others to pass the Minnesota Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment to the Constitution. The Amendment states that a portion of the Minnesota sales tax will support these initiatives with a percentage going to clean water, wildlife habitat, arts and cultural resources and parks and trails. The Amendment will bring $7.5 billion to these areas over the next 25 years.

Hunters and artists probably aren’t the two groups you would think would have a natural affinity, but they came together and achieved this historic amendment. We are all hearing the drumbeat of collaborate, by which is meant – reduce your expenses by merging functions of your organizations, but I am starting to think there might be value in more partnerships that go outside of our field. I don’t think we look enough outside our own discipline for partnerships and inspiration, never mind outside the field, and I include my own organization in that criticism. We could be leading by example in terms of being bi-partisan and we could uncover new advocates for theatre in unexpected places.

Deb

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