Contrary to popular opinion, advocates are not necessarily high-paid, Washington lobbyists who hold Congress in one pocket and the President in the other. In fact, advocates are simply people who work to educate their communities about important issues.

On these pages, you'll find information to help you educate policymakers and also those who influence policy in local, state, and federal venues.

• NEW: Using Americans for the Arts online advocacy system (Capwiz).
  
• Economic Impact Studies.  Links to websites and publications. 
  • Do-It-Yourself Economic Impact Statement
    The Americans for the Arts' Economic Prosperity Calculator lets you estimate the economic impact of your organization--or even your entire nonprofit arts community.
    
• Americans for the Arts' national economic impact study of the nonprofit arts industry. 
  
• Arts and Culture Advocates Band Together to Affect State Policy
  A press release from Pew Charitable Trusts about cultural policy reports.
  
• Cultural Policy: The Voice of State Legislators
  Results of a structured survey of Maine State Legislators involved in the New Century Community Program.
  
• Policy Partners: Making the Case for State Investments in Culture
  A publication of the Center for Arts and Culture.
  
• How to Be an Advocate (AACT's tips)
  
• Advocacy Information Packet  [15-page PDF file]
  • 10 Things You Can Do to Raise Awareness
  • Guidelines for Involving Arts Organizations in Election Year Activities
  • Contacting the Media
  • Voter Registration Campaigns
  • Sample Letter to the Editor
  • Sample Questions for Candidates
  • Sample Campaign Platform Statement
  • Facts About the Benefits of the Arts & Humanities
    
• Other Resources
  • NYFA Current.  An online publication by the New York Foundation for the Arts, including up-to-date advocacy information, funding and job opportunities.
  • Americans for the Arts.  With the goal of affecting policy that promotes funding for the arts, Americans for the Arts represents local arts agencies and the cultural advocacy interests of philanthropic individuals and groups. The Arts Action Center's advocacy efforts include lobbying Congress, the White House, and various federal agencies; proposing and monitoring new legislation; and producing national events and campaigns.
  • ArtsEdge. ArtsEdge supports the place of arts education at the center of the curriculum through the creative and appropriate uses of technology. ArtsEdge also helps educators to teach in, through and about the arts.
  • Arts & Business Council, a national organization based in New York City, has been the leader in helping not-for-profit arts groups form beneficial partnerships with businesses.
  • National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) is the membership organization of the nation's state and jurisdictional arts agencies. NASAA's mission is to advance and promote a meaningful role for the arts in the lives of individuals, families and communities throughout the United States. Its stated goal is to empower state arts agencies through strategic assistance that fosters leadership,  enhances planning and decision making, and increases resources
  • Western Arts Alliance. Membership organization for touring and performing professional arts professionals engaged in promoting and presenting the performing arts.