Tools for Advocacy

I have written a bit here about the fight for tax-based funding for the arts. Although I have made special note of the goings on in Kansas, South Carolina, and Texas, the truth is that these kinds of scenarios are being played out across the country. Small cash strapped towns and villages are in the same boat as places like Texas (my home) where the legislature faces a budget deficit of more than $25 billion. Tough decisions are being made.

We elect people to lead, but remember, a person is not a leader without followers. Force people to lead.

We need to be armed individually and collectively with information about the impact of the arts on our communities. Yes, there is the immeasurable quality of life that we know is enhanced by the arts, but we also need to make sure that our leaders understand the return on the investment of the taxpayer dollar, the numbers employed in the arts, and the direct and indirect economic benefit.

As well, school systems of all sizes are constantly confronted with finite financial resources and search for ways to save money. Well meaning administrators, under pressure from a variety of forces, see sometimes expensive arts programs as an easy target for cutting.

Here are three helpful resources that will assist us in areas of advocating for school choirs and arts in society:

Americans for the Arts has comprehensive and well thought out processes to be self-educated and has the tools available to make advocacy real and effective.

Chorus America has helpful information on their website concerning advocating for choirs in school settings. The guide is free but registration is required. If you are a member (like me) registration is not required.

The Dana Foundation has holds a wealth of information about the brain and research about the brain. The foundation’s Dana Arts and Cognition Consortium releases studies concerning research on how the arts influence learning.

Become familiar with these tools – there is no need to reinvent the wheel – others have brought us the technical tools. We must now utilize those tools in a proactive state to build relationships with administrators and policy-makers on every level.

Matt

http://www.artsusa.org/get_involved/advocate.asp
http://www.chorusamerica.org.choiradvocacyguide/free/
http://www.dana.org/arteducation.aspx