Oklahomans for the Arts | Advocacy Tool Kit

Advocacy Today What Can I Do Today As An Arts Advocate? Reacting In reactive advocacy when an issue arises, organizations like Oklahomans for the Arts go into high gear, the community mobilizes and a decision is made that either resolves or aggravates the concern. In this model, we’re essentially waiting for the axe to fall so we can take action. Proacting However, proactive advocacy is more difficult. It’s about creating relationships with decision-makers (city council members, school boards, etc.), and increasing public value for arts and arts education before the crisis. The strategy behind proactive advocacy is to share the incredible power of arts and culture — its economic, educational, therapeutic, community-building power — with not only elected and appointed officials, but also the millions of people who don’t already consider themselves to be arts advocates. Anytime This is not as simple as clicking “send” on an action alert. It is, however, something individuals and organizations can do at any time, and will have a more lasting impact than reactive advocacy. What can I do today to advocate for arts and culture in my community? 1. Introduce yourself/your organization to the people who represent you. These individuals are always looking for opportunities to connect with constituents in a positive setting. a. Local City Councils, Mayor b. School Boards c. State Legislators d. Federal Legislators 2. Set meetings to talk about your work in the arts. Focus on cultivating relationships with staff members and elected officials. When the moment comes for reactive advocacy, you can go to them as a partner to make your case. 3. Practice your elevator speech and use it outside of the choir. a. Include the talking points that mean the most to you (stats, facts, etc.) 4. Great places to get the word out a. Dinner parties and happy hours. b. On a plane

c. Visiting relatives d. Parent Groups e. Professional Organizations f. Social Networking Sites (Facebook, Linked In, etc.) g. Your personal website or blog h. Your business website i. Your business (window clings, table tents, etc.) 5. Elections a. Put local, state and federal elections on your calendar and read up on the candidates. b. Voter turnout can be very low even though local elected officials have a tremendous impact on policy, quality of life and allocation of public resources. c. Manage a local candidates' survey d. Attend candidate forums and share what you learn; ask about support for public funding for the arts. e. Visit SmartVoter.org to find out information about local elections and candidates. 6. Help A Campaign Go Viral a. Advocacy campaigns work best when they go viral. Oklahomans for the Arts counts on organizations and individuals to spread the word quickly and widely when the moment arises. 7. Invest in arts advocacy and join Oklahomans for the Arts a. You may not have time to serve, but you pay have dollars to spare. Oklahomans for the Arts is a 501c3. Your donation, large or small, is critical to our