Arts and Heritage Day

What is Arts & Heritage Day?

The arts create positive ripple effects throughout our communities. Our job is to help celebrate the intrinsic value of the arts and illuminate its instrumental effects on engagement, education, and the economy. Governor Gregoire proclaimed February 1, 2012 Arts and Heritage Day (LINK TO PROCLAMATION). Amanda L. Jackson, Executive Director of Methow Arts Alliance and board member of Washington State Arts Alliance attended Arts and Heritage Day in Olympia to advocate for funding for the arts, artists, arts education, and cultural organizations in our communities. The following issues were emphasized throughout the day: LEGISLATORS' ISSUE BRIEF, ARTS EDUCATION VALUE.

For twenty-nine years the Washington State Arts Alliance has coordinated Arts Day, a gathering of arts advocates in Olympia. Again this year, they partnered with the Washington Museum Association to coordinate Arts & Heritage Day.

The purpose is to meet with legislators and talk about arts and heritage issues in the current legislative session and cultural concerns in our communities and schools. In the past years, we have advocated for issues such as increasing the number of days that non-profit facilities can be rented to for-profit organizations, extension of lodging taxes for the arts and culture, and inclusion of arts as a core subject in state education reform, and much more.

What is the Arts Alliance's Role?

The Arts Alliance provides the tools for advocates to participate fully and effectively. Advocacy is important throughout the year. The Arts Alliance suggests the following: Call, write, or e-mail your legislator (or contact Methow Arts to assist). Communication with your legislator can take the following forms: thank him or her for listening. Reiterate any important points and make sure they remember you. Keep up that relationship - it isn't easy to start but, through a collective effort you've engaged with them, so use it! Thank them when they make a decision or cast a vote you affirm. Keep in touch. Be amicable and assertive.

For fun, you can watch a Lego Star Wars Legislature version of How a Bill Becomes a Law on You Tube (thanks for sharing Washington State Arts Alliance).

CONTACT: Washington State Arts Alliance on Facebook or Methow Arts Alliance, Amanda@MethowArtsAlliance.org