The Arts Council has been an advocate for its members on a city and state-wide level.

• As an active partner with the MCACA and ArtServe Michigan, the Arts Council sought to reach the Governor's office and local legislators to address current funding needs and recent budget cuts.

• When attending subcommittee hearings or the Chamber-hosted breakfast with legislators, or when meeting with a legislator, the Arts Council represented all of the arts in the greater Grand Rapids area.

• Through e-mail updates, the Arts Council sought to keep its members informed about legislative processes with regard to the arts.

City of Grand Rapids Advocacy

The staff of the Arts Council has been committed to giving the arts a voice within the greater Grand Rapids community. To that end we were involved in the Monroe North Business Association, have participated in the Mayor’s New Economic Task Force, and were involved with Dwelling Place and the Avenue of the Arts on south Division. Additionally, we participated in the Downtown Development Authority’s Arts and Entertainment Committee and represented the arts within the Arena District.

It is through these efforts that the staff of the Arts Council ensured that the arts remain on the forefront of the minds of those who will shape our community for the future.
  State and Federal Advocacy

iThe Arts Council’s staff members have frequently traveled to Lansing to testify at Senate and House subcommittee meetings on behalf of the arts. Additionally, we attended the Breakfast with Legislators to make arts and cultural organizations’ concerns about funding known to local legislators. Finally, we have spearheaded letter-writing campaigns that address, in particular, proposed arts and culture cuts to the state’s 2010 budget. To read a letter sent to Governor Granholm and local legislators in Spring 2009, please click here (260k pdf).

Breakfasts With Legislators

If you are a member of the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, you can attend monthly breakfasts with legislators. These breakfasts provide representatives from arts organizations an excellent opportunity to meet their local legislators and to voice their concerns. http://www.grandrapids.org

Additional Advocacy Resources:

Arts Education Action Toolkit
Americans for the Arts
ArtServe Michigan
Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce
Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA)
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
National Endowment for the Humanities
State of Michigan
 
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