MACT
Why Advocacy?
As a constituent, you are the ideal grassroots advocate to convey to members of Congress how essential the arts and arts education are to your community. You have the power to educate them about the importance of the arts in your community and to engage them on important arts issues on Capitol Hill. Without your help, your member of Congress may not realize the ability of the arts to support jobs, engage kids in school, and change lives in your district. We want to make it easy for you to take action, build relationships with your representative’s office, and highlight the advocacy work you are doing in your community and schools.
Four Ways to Reach Out to Your Members of Congress as an Individual:
1. Use customizable letters online to e-mail your representative about current legislative issues. Just select an issue and enter your information to send your representatives customizable letter. Topics range from National Endowment for the Arts’ appropriations to arts education funding.
2. Want to share your support with the local press? Use the E-Advocacy Action Center to write a letter to the editor of your local paper.
3. Remind your member of Congress about the impact creative industries have in your district. Login to the website to download a customized Creative Industries map for your county showing arts-related jobs and businesses. Make sure your representative is aware of the presence of these creative organizations and the jobs they support.
4. Meeting with your Representative or their staff in person? Here are some quick questions to ask:
- Are they a member of the Arts Caucus in either the U.S. Senate or U.S. House of Representatives? Check the caucus lists for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House to find out! If they’re not, ask them to join with these simple forms for the U.S. Senate or the U.S. House.
- Will they vote to support the National Endowment for the Arts in this year’s appropriations bill?
- Will they protect the charitable deduction?