With a deep passion for the arts, DIG will partner with your organization, agency, or consortium implement effective arts advocacy strategies, giving you a fulsome understanding of legislative processes and how to build meaningful relationships with the right government officials at the local and state levels. Using DIG’s Arts Advocacy Toolkit, our consultants collaborative work with your team to build strategy and capacity.

1. RESEARCH

Identify your issue. Identify the issues that you want to resolve and find a policy issue that will address the problem.  

Know your policymakers. Research the appropriate local state legislators and staff before meeting with them. Find out what committees they are on, who their allies are, if they have bill co-sponsors, and what issues matter to them.

Know all sides of the issue. It is important to understand the arguments against your point of view. Understanding the other side may help create opportunities for collaboration to create a solution where both parties benefit. 

2. DEVELOP THE CASE

Share your experience. Find the right examples of lived experiences that relate to the specific issue you want to change. 

Provide evidence. Provide relevant data and research to back up your objectives. 

 3. ADVOCATE

Form a state coalition. Create opportunities to meet with other organizations that are advocating for your issue or who share the same policy objectives. Spearhead an Arts Advocacy Day with your local officials or state legislators. 

To learn more about how DIG can partner with your organization or agency in developing a powerful Arts Advocacy strategy, contact Senior Impact Advisor Nichole Belford.