Arts Advocacy
Arts Advocacy
At the Arvada Center, we believe that the arts are a vital part of Colorado’s economy. Our industry creates jobs, employs artists, strengthens our communities, and inspires creativity.
In Colorado, the arts contribute over $15 billion to the state with over 103,000 jobs. Nationally, 5.1 million people work in the arts, and the industry provides $877 billion value added to the economy. Our sector is a cornerstone of the larger U.S. economy, making up 4.5% of GDP.
And because of COVID-19, these livelihoods are under threat. As an industry, the arts need immediate economic relief to weather this crisis.
Because of COVID-19's impacts on live events, 94% of arts workers are experiencing income loss of some kind.
Putting Creative Workers to Work
The Arvada Center is proud to endorse the Put Creative Workers to Work proposal. To thrive post-pandemic, the United States must leverage our creative power, putting creative workers to work rebuilding, reimagining, unifying, and healing communities in every state and territory, as well as within tribal lands. Below, find 15 specific actions that the next Administration can take to activate the creative economy within a comprehensive national recovery strategy.
Contact Our Senators
Senator Cory Gardner (R)
Email: https://www.gardner.senate.gov/contact-cory/email-cory
Phone: (303) 391-5777
Senator Michael Bennet (D)
Email: https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/index.cfm/write-to-michael
Phone: (202) 224-5852
Advocacy Initiatives
Below, find a number of campaigns and initiatives advocating for support for the arts – both locally and nationally.
- Americans for the Arts Action Fund
Americans for the Arts set up an Action Fund to mobilize citizen activists to advance the arts and arts education. They have a number of great resources available, including a hub to track bills and legislation related to the arts, a search tool to easily find your political representatives, and a Congressional arts report card.
- ArtsVote
Americans for the Arts released this voting platform along with resources to vote across the country, to help inform and mobilize artists and arts advocates to make their vote count in an election year.
- Be An Arts Hero
Be an Arts Hero is a grassroots campaign comprised of Arts & Culture workers, Unions, and institutions pushing the Senate to allocate proportionate relief to the Arts & Culture sector of the American economy. Find comprehensive statistics on the impact COVID-19 has on our industry on their website, as well as resources for contacting your political representatives.
Arts workers can also participate in their #Arts Workers Unite social media campaign.
- Colorado Business Committee for the Arts
The Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) advances Colorado's creative economy by connecting business and the arts. Their Arts Through It All campaign aims to make sure Colorado politicians understand how important the arts are to our state. Find information on their campaign on the website, as well as recorded talks and resources for supporting our local arts community.
- Putting Creative Workers to Work
To thrive post-pandemic, the United States must leverage our creative power, putting creative workers to work rebuilding, reimagining, unifying, and healing communities in every state and territory, as well as within tribal lands. Americans For The Arts outlines 15 specific actions to activate the creative economy - read more and endorse their plan on their website.
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We Make Events
#WeMakeEvents North America is a coalition of live events industry professionals, businesses, unions and non-profits working to raise awareness of the crisis faced by people working in this industry. Currently, they're raising awareness with an ongoing social media campaign, and have an easy open letter to Senators to sign on their website.
