Arts Advocacy Day is Tomorrow!!

Dear Friends and Arts Supporters,

Wednesday, May 16 is another important date for you, for our Louisiana artists, arts organizations and for our communities large and small. Citizens from throughout Louisiana will travel to Baton Rouge for Louisiana Citizens for the Arts’ 2012 Arts Advocacy Day. This is OUR opportunity to personally remind representatives and senators that funding for the arts benefits EVERY parish in Louisiana.

This year, Arts Advocacy day will be a featured component of Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne’s CULTURE CONNECTION initiative, which brings together stakeholders (i.e. voters like you and me) to connect with the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism to move cultural development forward. We hope you will join in as many of the day's events as possible! Details and directions are below.

Here are a few hints to make the day more enjoyable and effective:

• Wear blue!
• Be sure to get your “Art WORKS for Louisiana!” sticker at the 11 am LCA meeting at the Capital Welcome Center or one of the display tables in the Capitol lobby.
• Enjoy learning about the work done by our wonderful non-profit arts organizations throughout Louisiana
• Be on the lookout for mini-arts experiences throughout the day
• Join a caravan/carpool from your area or come on your own
• Take a moment to send your representative and senator a note (we’ll help you if you are a first-timer!), telling them that their constituent (YOU) believe that funding for the arts is essential for the health and well-being of our communities.

Your Advocacy Update:

First and foremost, your emails and calls have been critical to keeping arts funding on lawmakers’ radar. As House Bill 1 moves to the Senate Finance Committee, we will continue close monitoring. When you receive an Action Alert to contact committee members, PLEASE respond immediately! Just as they did for House Appropriations, representatives of LCA will provide public testimony before Senate Finance. Our message will focus on the decreased funding proposed by the administration, the crucial part decentralized arts funding (DAF) plays in every parish, and the economic impact that proposed cuts will have. Stay tuned – we will keep you updated!

As always, THANK YOU for making your voice and convictions heard! It makes a difference for our young people, our communities and our economy.  We look forward to seeing many of you Wednesday!

Christie Weeks, Chair

Gerd Wuestemann, Vice-chair for Advocacy

Tommy Usrey, Past Chair

LOUISIANA CITIZENS FOR THE ARTS            

To become a contributing member of LCA, go to http://LouisianaCitizensfortheArts.org

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