Update: The link below is broken, but here is a link to their new Arts Promotion Kit. Lots of good links in there.
The Canada Council for the Arts has a neat little site that provides an Advocacy resource kit. It for Canada as it has mostly Canadian facts and quotes. Nobody like to do advocacy – it makes us feel dirty, especially if we are trying to advocate for noble enterprises like churches, universities or arts. That said, we can learn from the health sector. Through ongoing advocacy they have been able to effectively make the case for funding of health care (and health research). If we believe in what we do why should we be ashamed to tell people?
Take, for example, this list of advice for artists:
- Thank politicians and government officials at every opportunity (e.g., a thank you letter after receiving a grant or an award, and giving public acknowledgment at events).
- Invite politicians, their staff and government officials to experience the arts in the community, and let them know how important their support is. The events should be chosen carefully.
- Share copies of their work with politicians and government officials when possible, indicating how public support has helped make it possible (e.g., send prints, posters, CDs or books to the constituency office).
- Meet with politicians to discuss issues of major concern, or make phone calls or send letters/emails.
- Attend town hall meetings that are organized by politicians to discuss the importance of public support for arts and culture. Ask questions and generate interest among other community members.
- Encourage other artists and audiences/supporters to share their views with politicians and other decision makers.
- Recognize the importance of public support of arts and culture when giving media interviews, and talk about how this support has helped personally.
Note the little coloured boxes that let you change the site background colour – Cute. This came to me from Lynn Hughes.