Now that we know that FY15 funding for the Arizona Commission on the Arts is NOT included in the proposed Executive Budget, your voice at the State Capitol on Wednesday, February 5 for Arts Congress 2014 is even more critical. The is the one special day of the year for arts and culture advocates, patrons, educators and business people to speak directly to their Arizona legislators about the importance of support for arts and culture in our state. The FY15 Executive Budget released by the Governor earlier this month does not repeat the $1 million from the state "rainy day" fund that was allocated this year to the Arts Commission. Last fall, the Arts Commission submitted a FY15 budget request of $2 million. The request was based on the remarkable impact this year's allocation already has had in growing grant allocations to arts organizations all over Arizona, and funding the Commission's new Community Catalyst Grant program and Arts Tank - two new initiatives designed to inspire innovative and entrepreneurial arts activities that contribute to local community and economic vitality. If the Legislature does not, at least, repeat a $1 million allocation in FY15, Arizona arts and culture organizations will suffer serious setbacks in their economic recovery which in turn is contributing so much to the overall revitalization of our state's recovery from the Great Recession. We need your help to tell this story - starting on February 5 at Arts Congress 2014. Many issues remain to be resolved in negotiations between the Governor's office and the State Legislature. Based on feedback we are getting from key legislators who supported the arts last year, we are confident that with their help -- AND the help of arts advocates like you - we can secure an allocation for the Arts Commission in the final FY15 budget that the Legislature must pass. But this will not be an easy task. Every one of our 90 state legislators need to hear about the special impacts the arts are having in their, home communities. That why every advocate voice will count at Arts Congress. We believe $2 million would be a significant reinvestment in the arts and culture sector, but anything less than a repeat of the $1 million received this year will result in serious damage in the health of arts and culture organizations all over Arizona. So, please... Register Now!
Individual Registration is $25 per person. Registration includes, training, meeting materials, coffee, nibbles, lunch and bottled water. Become a Co-Sponsor for $125. Co-sponsorship includes: Registration for four, recognition before, during and after the event.
To Register online, CLICK HERE.
Schedule for the day | Event | Time | Registration on the House Lawn | 8:30-9:30 a.m. | Arizona School for the Arts String Quartet | 9 a.m. | Welcome/Introductions | 9:30 a.m. | Team Legislative Meetings | 10 a.m. - noon | Workshop - Introduction to Arts Advocacy | 10 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. | Workshop -Arizona Commission on the Arts Grants Information | Every half hour, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. | Lunch | 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. | Interactive Art Activities | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Gallery Introductions | 1:30 p.m. (approx.) |
Activities will take place on the House Lawn and the House and Senate offices, 1700 W. Washington. Arizona Citizens for the Arts also will provide you with training materials and talking points for your meetings with legislators. For more information call 602-253-6535 www.azcitizensforthearts.org | 
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