Advocacy Strategy to Restore State Funding for the Arts

Coordinate meetings with the governor and state leaders

• Governor Pat Quinn.

• Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, Comptroller Daniel W. Hynes, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, and Secretary of State Jesse White.

• House Speaker Michael Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton, House Minority Leader Tom Cross, and Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno.

Build support in the Illinois General Assembly

• Distribute letter to all members of the Illinois General Assembly. Include support materials such as an analysis of Illinois Arts Council funding in the member’s district, the Creative Industries report for the member’s district, the Arts & Economic Prosperity study for Chicago members, and the findings from the Assessing the Impact of FY08 Budget Cuts survey.

Mobilize Illinois Arts Council applicants and grantees

• Send tailored email to executive director or primary point of contact for all Illinois Arts Council applicants and grantees that outlines steps stakeholders can take to restore state funding for the arts.

• Email will include district office contact information for relevant state representative and state senator as well as support materials such as key talking points, a sample letter, a guide to scheduling meetings with legislators, and findings from the Assessing the Impact of FY08 Budget Cuts survey.

• Call to action will encourage stakeholders to send personalized letters to lawmakers as well as schedule in-district meetings while legislators are on recess. Advocates will thank those state senators who voted “yes” on HB174 and encourage all state representatives to sign on to HB174 as a co-sponsor.

Collaborate with umbrella organizations and cultural networks

• Enlist feedback and support from key stakeholder groups including arts service organizations, local arts agencies, and statewide alliances among others.

203 North Wabash Suite 1920 Chicago, IL 60601 tel 312.855.3105 fax 312.855.1565 www.artsalliance.org