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.
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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).
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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 |
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Additional Advocacy Resources:
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