Advocacy Tips from someone in the know
I was on a conference call this afternoon with U.S. Congressman Todd Platts. He represents the 19th Congressional District in PA which includes York, Adams, Cumberland and parts of Perry County. The point that he kept pressing home about advocacy was the need to make personal contact with members of Congress. He suggested that we invite the members to our arts events made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as making frequent visits to district offices.
His comments sounded very familiar to me and could easily apply to the advocacy that we do in Pennsylvania surrounding the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. Frequent and personal contact with legislators and their staff could only help our case. Inviting legislators and staff to events that are funded with PCA grants helps create friendships. So I urge you to contact your legislators today and tell them that funding $14 million for the PCA grants to arts organizations and $1.2 million for the administration of the Council is a priority to you and tell them why. What do you do with the funds that you receive from the PCA? Do you fund a artist residency in an elementary school? Do you provide free admission to your event to senior citizens? Please visit or call your legislators TODAY!
Contact information for your legislators can be found at http://capwiz.com/artsusa/pa. Or give me a call at 717-234-0959 and I’ll locate the information for you.
Thanks,
Jenny Hershour
Managing Director
Citizens for the Arts in PA
