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Message from the Executive Director
We May Not Have A Vote In The Arizona Legislature, But We Do Have A Voice
Dear Friends,
Making sure that your voice is heard will drive our Legislative Strategy for a very difficult and challenging session in 2011.
That's why we have identified very critical messages and targeted strategies to protect the very small percentage of the state's overall budget dedicated to the Arizona Commission on the Arts that also secures a dollar-for-dollar match from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The arts have taken more than their fair share of revenue cuts the last three years. Yet, they play a significant role in Arizona as major employer, tax revenue generator and economic stimulus. More importantly, they represent an important global economic force in today's competitive international marketplace.
Therefore in 2011 we will:
- Advocate to maintain the current level of funding for the Arizona Commission on the Arts.
- Identify other sustainable future revenue sources by working with independent, community- and business-based coalitions.
- Support the continuation of arts-friendly policies in Arizona cities that encourage the growth of local arts industries to generate tax revenue, support other businesses and spur local development.
- Promote efforts to advance arts education as a core component in the K-12 education system that promotes excellence and competitiveness for Arizona.
You can be a part of this effort by:
- Becoming a member of Arizona Citizens/Action for the Arts
- Registering for Arts Congress
- Signing up to be a legislative liaison
- Staying in touch with us.
Catherine "Rusty" Foley
Interim Executive Director
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Arts Congress Has Never Been More Important
Mark this date down and circle in RED: Monday Feb. 7, 2011
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 It's the day arts advocates, artists, arts and cultural organization leadership, businesses and educators statewide rally at the State Capitol to meet with legislators. Its our opportunity to actively engage our legislators in productive and informative conversations about the importance and the value of the arts to our children, our communities and our state.
To help you prepare for Arts Congress and to ease your concerns about meeting with elected officials, we will be holding arts advocacy training sessions in January to review our legislative strategy and answer your questions about the process and the outcomes.
Attend a free training during January and learn more about:
- The current state of Arizona's budget and challenges our governing officials face this year
- Why the Arts are an economic driver in Arizona
- How you can most effectively engage with your elected officials
Training Dates:
- Phoenix, January 13, 2011
- Online Webinars, Beginning January 10, 2011
- Tucson and Northern Arizona, TBA
To attend a training please RSVP here.
Visit our website www.azcitizensforthearts.com regularly, follow our blog posts at http://azcitizensforthe arts.wordpress.com and post your own thoughts about Arts Congress on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/ArizonaCitizensActionfortheArts.
You will hear much more about Arts Congress in the weeks ahead, so keep checking back with us for more information.
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| Help Us Connect With Our Legislators
Become a Legislative Liaison
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Whether you live in Springerville or Safford, Chino Valley or Oro Valley, no one knows the issues in your own community better than you. And, as a voter, no one's voice is as important to the legislator representing your district and your hometown than yours.
 Doesn't matter if you can sing, we need your voice in our arts advocacy chorus.
The Legislative Liaison Program is essential to our advocacy efforts. Our goal is to assign a liaison in every legislator in Arizona to build productive relationships and ensure open lines of communications with the people making critical decisions about the future of arts and culture in Arizona.
A number of district liaisons have come forward and been assigned, but we want to have representation across the entire state, particularly as we get closer to the 2011 Arts Congress.
If you're interested in finding out more, call the office at (602) 253-6535 or send us an email at artsed@azcitizensforthearts.org.
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| Strength In Numbers
Become a Member of Arizona Citizens/Action for the Arts
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We need you because the arts need you. Your tax-deductible membership in Arizona Citizens/Action for the Arts helps support our mission of advocacy for as little as $10 for fulltime students and $15 for K-12 teachers.
 Because we value your support so much, we are pleased to announce a new membership benefits program that, depending upon your membership level, offers newsletter and online recognitions in the lower range and complimentary tickets to attend Legislative Night events and the annual Governor's Arts Awards, celebrating its 30th Anniversary April 12, 2011 at The Herberger Theater Center, for larger contributions. The most important benefit, of course, is your satisfaction in knowing you've contributed to the sustainability of the arts in Arizona by ensuring our messages are heard about the importance and impact of the arts on our quality of life, educational excellence and economic health. Sign up today through azcitizensforthearts.org, and earn a tax deduction for 2010!
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| Featured Member Organization
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Every year, the Great Arizona Puppet Theater touches more than 100,000 audience members through performances, workshops and educational programs. Founded in 1983, the Great Arizona Puppet Theater offers a repertoire of more than 50 shows including classic fairy tales and original stories that have earned New Times Best of Phoenix awards six times and the Mayor's Environmental Award for Children, among other accolades. For more information, visit www.azpuppets.org.
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| | Advocacy Spotlight | |
United Arts of Florida recently launched "The Arts Matter" as an outlet for arts enthusiasts, donors, arts lovers and artists to share their personal experiences, memories and emotions connected to the arts.
The campaign serves several purposes: to encourage community involvement and awareness, to advocate support of quality cultural experiences for everyone and to build a network of advocates to support arts education and arts funding in The Sunshine State.
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| AzCA/AA Events | Arts Congress
February 7, 2011
Governor's Arts Awards
April 12, 2011
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 | | Board of Directors | |
OFFICERS
Steve Martin,
President, Arizona Citizens
Brenda Bernardi,
Vice President, Arizona Citizens
Joel Hiller,
President, Arizona Action
Tom Chapman,
Secretary
Dawn Brown,
Treasurer
Jeff Rich,
Member-At-Large
Jessica L. Andrews,
Past President, Arizona Citizens
MEMBERS
Allan Affeldt,
La Posada Hotel
Jessica Andrews,
Jessica Andrews Consulting
Robert Benson,
Peoria Unified School District
Dick Bowers,
Herberger Theater Center
Jennifer Burns,
Community Volunteer
Sam Campana,
Audobon Arizona
Clark Chasten,
Community Volunteer
Jae Chin,
Asian Bank
Mary Dryden,
Tucson Symphony Orchestra League
Karen Falkenstrom
Odaiko Sonora
Representative Steve Farley,
Arizona House of Representatives
Wes Gullett,
First Strategic
Joan Howell,
Phoenix Elementary School District
Phillip C. Jones,
Community Volunteer
Cathy Knapp,
Quarles & Brady LLC
Alika Kumar,
Community Volunteer
Melissa Lopez,
The Apollo Group
Kate Marquez,
Southern Arizona Arts & Culture Alliance
Rob Nichols,
Salt River Project
Joseph Perez,
City of Phoenix
Senator Michele Reagan,
Arizona State Senate
Julie Richard,
West Valley Arts Council
Andrea Soto,
FAME Events
John Tannous,
Flagstaff Cultural Partners
Jackie Thrasher,
Washington Elementary School District
Lynn Tuttle,
Arizona Department of Education
Roberta Ukura,
City of Yuma Park & Recreation
Cathy Weiss,
Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts
Nancy Welch,
Flinn Foundation
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