ArtPride, along with arts advocates from around New Jersey, traveled to the nation’s capital on March 21st, 2024, to meet with federal elected officials to garner support for arts in the State. Advocates will share compelling data and stories about the impact and transformative power that the arts have in their communities.
This year advocates discussed arts and culture related policy and appropriations issues, including federal funding levels in the FY25 budget for cultural agencies (National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities), arts education, and creative economy legislation.
Advocacy in DC is not one day a year but all year round. It's important to stay in touch with your members of Congress throughout the year, attend their town halls, and invite them to events.
Advocate for the Arts in Washington, D.C.!
Why should you participate?
Elected officials need to hear from you concerning the urgent and continued need for government support, how that support affects you personally, and how you and your community have been impacted by the pandemic. Arts Advocacy Day combines our collective energy when we join together to make the case to legislators that art is essential to life in New Jersey. Besides voting, this is another opportunity to be heard and be part of the democratic process.
Who is the best kind of advocate?
Students, artists, trustees of arts organizations, and arts professionals who want to talk about the impact of the arts in their community, are excellent advocates. As a constituent and voter, you are in the best position to create lasting change. These visits and interactions have a greater influence on legislators than any other group or strategy.
How does it work?
• ArtPride Director of Advocacy Operations, Vincent Hall, will schedule Congressional meetings starting in the morning and continuing throughout the day.
• Meetings will be held in person in Congressional offices on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
• Participating advocates will be grouped by Congressional district for each meeting.
• Meetings will be approximately 10-15 minutes which will only allow each constituent approx. 2-3 minutes to speak.
• Please keep your comments short and concise – it's helpful to have your statement prepared in advance.
• If you’re joining a meeting but it’s not your district, please allow the district constituents to speak first.
• Feel free to bring promotional material to share.
