Fundamentals of Arts Advocacy Orientation Advocacy 101 March

Fundamentals of Arts Advocacy Orientation & Advocacy 101 March 20, 2017 Jay H. Dick Senior Director of State and Local Government Affairs Americans for the Arts Senator Stan Rosenberg Massachusetts Senate President

Social Media @Americans 4 Arts #Arts. Advocacy #Hanks. Lecture #Savethe. NEA @Americans 4 Arts /Americans 4 Arts

Orientation and Helpful Hints

Arts Advocacy Day Conference 2 -Day Agenda

Inside Front Cover Union Station Metro (Red) Breakfast location Senate Office Buildings House Office Buildings Capitol South Metro (Orange & Blue)

Inside Back Cover Dirksen: SD Russell: SR Hart: SH Breakfast location: Tunnel: Hint: Office numbers refer to floors Rayburn: RHOB Longworth: LHOB Cannon: CHOB

Union Station Metro Red Line No Transfers Walking Directions to Arts Breakfast from Metro 1 st Street Primary Building Entrance Secondary Building Entrance Russell Senate Office Building 325 Kennedy Caucus Room 3 rd floor No Building Entrance C Street

State Arts Advocacy Captains

State & Local Grassroots Partners

National Partners

Issue Briefs

Arts Support Records

Facts & Figures

Congressional Caucuses

Handouts

Arts Action Fund Sign up for New or Renew Your Membership Available at the Arts Action Fund Table

Arts Caucus Sign-up Forms House Arts = peach paper House STEAM = purple paper Senate Cultural = blue paper

Leave-Behind Summary

Yellow Questions to Ask Postcards

Arts Advocacy Day Resources State and District Captains § Mentors and Year-Around Trained Advocates § Congressional Appointments § Creative Industry Maps for Members of Congressional Arts Handbook Congressional Arts Caucus Sign-Up Forms Leave Behind Summaries Questions to Ask Postcards

Questions?

Advocacy Basics

Education, Advocacy & Lobbying Education ed·u·ca·tion Noun: the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge Examples: The arts add value to society The arts create jobs and tax revenue Arts education diminishes the drop out rate Kids with an arts education score, on average, 100 points higher on their SATs The non-profit arts generate $166. 2 billion a year in economic activity

Education, Advocacy & Lobbying Advocacy ad·vo·ca·cy Noun: The act of pleading or arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, idea, or policy; active support Examples: Support the arts as they add value to society Support the arts as they create jobs and tax revenue Support arts education as it diminishes the drop out rate and kids with arts education score, on average, 100 points higher on their SATs Support the non-profit arts as it generates $166. 2 billion a year in economic activity Oppose efforts to cut arts funding

Education, Advocacy & Lobbying lob·by·ing Verb: To try to influence thinking of legislators or other public officials for or against a specific cause Examples: Increase the your city’s budget by $1 M. Support increasing funding for the NEA and NEH in the FY 18 Appropriations Bill Support increasing funding for arts education in the FY 18 Appropriations Bill Cosponsor the CREATE Act

Advocacy Goals • Build Professional Relationships with key decision makers • If you wait until you need help, it is too late • Find out who in your circle of supports knows the key decision maker • Knowledge is Power • Become a resource or expert on your issue • Offer your resources and assistance at any time • For your supporters, volunteer on their election campaign

Art of Storytelling 1. The Want – Begin with the End in Mind § The advocate knows what the “ask” is, and the legislators desired reaction. § When you have told your story, how do you want the legislator to think and feel? 2. The Opening – Set the Stage & Establish the Stakes § Establish context for whatever you are about to describe. § Begin the story, thinking about the first sentence. Courtesy of the Congressional Management Foundation

Art of Storytelling 3. Paint the Picture – Details and the Senses § What did you see, hear, touch, taste, smell? § Make it real. Be practical, specific, and graphic – don’t hold anything back! 4. The Struggle – Describe the Fight § Identify the conflict. What is the struggle? § Play the underdog – turn weakness into strength! Courtesy of the Congressional Management Foundation

Art of Storytelling 5. Discovery – Always Surprise the Legislator § Don’t give away everything up front but wait until it will have the most impact. § Try to balance the past and the present. How what you learned then can impact what happens now or in the future. 6. We Can Win! – Introduce the Potential for Success § Success – Our hero wins. § Comfort/joy - Our audience participates Courtesy of the Congressional Management Foundation

Art of Storytelling 7. The Button – finish with a Hook § Have your ending sentence clearly memorized and know when to use it. § Exercise restraint. Courtesy of the Congressional Management Foundation

What to do when meeting with your Elected Officials

During the Meeting/Event • Be prompt and patient • They are busy, schedules often change • Be Prepared • What are your top 3 issues and be prepared to talk about them. Do your homework! • Be ready to explain the issue in simple terms in case the decision maker is not familiar with the issue • Bring written background information including your contact information and leave it with them

During the Meeting/Event • Be Political • Demonstrate how this helps your state or the legislative district • Demonstrate how this will make the decision maker look good to the public • Be Responsive • Be prepared to answer questions • Promptly follow up with thank you note and any other information you have promised

During the Meeting/Event • Meetings with Staff are Very Effective • They advise the decision maker • Become their arts resource • Build a professional relationship with them • You will probably know more about arts issues than they do, YOU are the expert, especially on district programs. • On the other hand, you don’t need to be an expert on every topic to effectively tell your story. • NEVER BURN YOUR BRIDGES

Advocacy Rules Your success depends on how the key decision maker views you. Does he or she TRUST you, RESPECT your opinions (not necessarily agree with them), VALUE you as a person and, SEEK YOUR ADVICE If you can do this, you will be successful.

Advocacy Rules • Be HONEST, never lie or stretch the truth • Must know your position • Must know your opponent’s position • Never insult the key decision maker or your opponent • Never lose your cool

Advocacy Rules • It is ok to say “I don’t know the answer to that question, but I will get that answer and be back in contact with you. ” • Never assume you know the key decision makers’ positions – ask them what they think. • Make sure to “make the ask. ” Never leave a meeting with an unclear message. If the decision maker agrees to support, then thank him/her!

Congressional Role Play!

Questions on Meeting with your Legislators?

Homework! (things to do back home)

District Meetings or Events Elected officials, especially in election years, are always looking to meet with constituents or go to an organized event. Call their District office to make an appointment • • • Invite them to tour a facility Give them an award Visit them at their offices Attend their events (coffee meetings, etc) Invite them to your meeting/concert/events. Offer to become their “Arts Resource”

Why Get Involved YOU CAN, AND WILL, MAKE A DIFFERENCE • Marathon, Not a Sprint • Have the opportunity to change and/or influence our federal, state or local laws and policy • If you don’t get involved, your opponents will