SMAC Executive Director Greta Murray, Representative Dave Baker of Willmar, Cheri Buzzeo of Willmar, Mary Pieh of New London, and MN State Arts Board Executive Director Sue Gens at last year’s Arts Advocacy Day.
Join SMAC and other arts lovers on March 17, Minnesota Arts Advocacy Day, to speak to our legislators at the Capitol about the impact that arts funding has had on our lives and our communities.
A message from Minnesota Citizens for the Arts (MCA), which organizes the event:
“Minnesota Citizens for the Arts works to increase arts funding by bringing arts advocates to the State Capitol to talk to their legislators about the importance of the arts to our lives and our economy. Every year about 500 arts advocates join together for a rally at the Minnesota History Center Auditorium in the morning, split up into teams with experienced leaders, and walk together to legislator offices to educate them about the arts in their communities and ask them to support arts funding.
“Through this big day, we show the strength of Minnesota’s statewide arts community. Previous Arts Advocacy Days have resulted in significant increases in state arts funding (that goes out in grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and Regional Arts Councils). The Legacy Amendment, which tripled arts funding in 2008, was passed on Arts Advocacy Day!”
Take advantage of this great opportunity to meet other arts advocates from around the state and to let your elected officials know what you think about the arts in Minnesota. Once you register through MCA at www.artsmn.org, let SMAC know if you’d like to ride share to the Capitol. SMAC staff will help coordinate vehicles and pick-up spots throughout the region. Call the SMAC office at 800-622-5284 or 507-537-1471.
