We listened. Arts North Carolina began its Strategic Plan last fall and heard from our membership on how we could best serve. Arts NC was called to be strategic and to create strong relationships with the “inside” track of Legislative leaders. More attention needs to be paid to local advocacy issues and training. You will see new tools that are effective and easy to use. We are ready to respond to a quickly changing political climate.

We have changed our course in this amazing race. We are fleshing out an 18th month advocacy initiative, but WE ASK THAT YOU SPECIFICALLY SAVE APRIL 11 FOR AN ARTS SUMMIT IN RALEIGH.

Appropriations Committees begin working January 12, and according to the Chair of the House Budget Appropriations Committee, “We will pass a budget in two days when we convene in May.” In response to the state budget time line, Arts North Carolina’s Staff, Board, and Committees have participated in focused and strategic planning meetings to address the changing environment.  Several conclusions were reached:

• Our industry needs to quickly establish solid relationships and communications with key Legislative leadership.
• The traditional Arts Day format in May would not be a wise use of our advocates’ resources if the budget is a done deal when they get to Raleigh. Therefore, new thinking is required to revise plans quickly and effectively.
• Arts North Carolina’s Strategic Plan identified local advocacy as a priority.
• Election 2012 is critical and arts policy issues must be a part of what is expected to be a very loud conversation. Our voice must be heard.
• The case for why government should invest in the arts needs re-messaging and the industry as a whole needs to unify around core values and an arts policy that can be used in Election 2012.
• Local events provide opportunity for increased involvement.
• A statewide initiative will draw media attention.
• Advocates need to know, engage in, and support a vision of cause-and-effect that spans the Legislative budget processes in both the short and long sessions.

As we share the very new and still developing plan of action, there are several givens. New advocacy tools, training, and technology will be required to accomplish our goals. Local partners will be essential to a successful outcome. The events must draw media attention, and substantive planning and strategic thinking must be ongoing in the next 18 months.  We must come together.

Plan of Action

Arts North Carolina will continue to develop strategic relationships with key Legislative leaders who influence the budget process, specifically the Appropriations Chairs and the General Government Committee members. Visits will be ongoing throughout the winter in home locations and in Raleigh.

The Arts Education Commission will provide opportunity for arts leaders to be at the General Assembly and engaged with Legislative leadership around arts education discussions.

Advocates will be encouraged to reconnect with Democratic members and offer support and encouragement for those individuals to continue to speak for arts issues.

Beginning now, advocates are encouraged to become financially and physically active in political campaigns at the local, state, and national level.

April 11 – We shift our focus from the traditional Arts Day planning to creating a Summit on government support for the arts, election involvement, and organizing and training for fall events across the state. Since the economic crisis in the Easley administration, local government support has significantly eroded. Since 2008, all sources of arts funding from the state have been reduced by 32% (includes current year 15% reductions in recurring funding and prior year elimination of non-recurring funding and cARTwheels support). We need a revival of message and purpose to make the compelling case once again for public funding of the arts. Should the timing work, Legislative visits will be incorporated into the event’s schedule.

Immediately following the Summit, a working group will create an arts policy platform based on Summit outcomes. You will want to be at the Summit to help create the arts position for Election 2012.

Early Fall – Advocacy comes home.  Events will be hosted by local arts organizations across North Carolina. Town hall meetings, forums, luncheons, coffees, and small and large gatherings will convene incumbents, candidates, economic development leaders, city and county elected officials, and school board members. Economic impact studies and persuasive messaging on the government’s role in the arts will form the nucleus of event planning.

Early April 2013 – Arts Day 2013 and Rally for the Arts 2013 – The stakes are high in 2013 as a new body of Legislative leaders creates a budget that will reflect an improving economy. We will challenge ourselves to be bold in our agenda, to revamp our traditional Arts Day into a more effective and efficient Legislative event, and to create a major media/public awareness event as a part of the program. Rally for the Arts 2013 will serve as the culminating event of an 18-month advocacy plan designed to position the arts as central in North Carolina’s future.

Will you be a part of ensuring the future of the arts in North Carolina?  Then take action and join with us in each phase of our plan.