Notes from Arts Advocacy Day (s)


A whirl wind two days in DC to promote the Arts

Another Arts Advocacy Day has come and gone. Each year they get better and better. Americans for the Arts has done a great job of organizing and preparing delegations to take to the capitol. In between, there are great events and opportunities to catch up with folks you speak to on the phone or via email throughout the year.

My favorite moments from Arts Advocacy Day 2005

Discussing the amazing dearth of arts education data across the country with NEA Chairman Dana Gioia at the Museum of the American Indian (what a beautiful building!)

The ECS Reception for Governor Huckabee in the Senate Office Building. He even commented on his "Music for All" Bracelet in his remarks and add that "Bob promised this would help me play better. So I asked him for another one so I could play twice as well!"

Hearing first hand about Governor Huckabee's meeting earlier with Secretary of Education Spellings. He firmly believes she will be supportive of music and arts education during her term as Secretary.

Meeting Ken Burns and contemplating some of his eloquent remarks at the Kennedy Center. We will get the link as soon as the transcript is posted by Americans for the Arts.

Spending time with Arts leaders from other states (Illinois, California, New York, Mississippi) and comparing notes and ideas or the arts and arts education. There is some really great work going on in some states that we can all learn from!

Enjoying the Congressional Arts Breakfast with 500 of my closets pals in a room designed to hold about 10.

Listening to Congressional Leaders Louis Slaughter and Christopher Shays talk shop about funding for arts and arts education programs.

Spending some quality time Giancarlo Esposito and his wife to discuss plans for some meeting back in NYC to push the arts education agenda forward.

Joey Pants (co-prez of the Creative Coalition) asking for MORE bracelets for his kids!

Seeing Tony Bennett pass out Music for All Bracelets at the Creative Coalition Party

Hearing about the latest Creative Arts Industries Report. A really valuable tool for our collective advocacy work.

Hanging with the hommies from NJ as we tromped around the House and Senate Office Buildings for meetings and killing time.

Listening to Ann Marie Miller (the head of our state arts advocacy group ArtPride) work her magic with the staffers of Senators Corizine (our Governor in waiting!) and Lautenberg.

Hearing that the funding for the Arts Education line in the Dept. of Education budget WILL be restored!

A wonderful late lunch with John Devol, founder of Arts Horizons at Union Station as we awaited our coach to take us home. Always nice to visit with really smart people who have done great work.

Sitting with Buzz Bartlett who was President of the Council for Basic Education and who oversaw the development and release of one of the best works on NCLB called Academic Atrophy. One of my favorite research documents.

It was a great trip with great people. We just need to help get more people to come out for 2006!

Posted: Wed - March 23, 2005 at 08:03 PM       Email Feedback

©