The Arts Council is 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 seeks 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 represents all of the arts in the greater Grand Rapids area.

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

City of Grand Rapids Advocacy

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

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

The Arts Council’s staff members frequently travel to Lansing to testify at Senate and House subcommittee meetings on behalf of the arts. Additionally, we attend 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).

Through the Arts Council’s partnership with ArtServe Michigan we can provide you with all of the information you need to effectively advocate on behalf of arts and culture in your community.

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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