ADVOCACY ACTION ITEMS
We believe our actions make a difference. ASI has compiled a list of advocacy action items that you can participate in. Some are simple such as adding your signature of support to a proposed piece of legislation and some are more involved such as attending a national conference to advocate on behalf of the arts. Also included are opportunities for the public to speak on behalf of the arts or arts nonprofits in town hall open forums or other similar events.
If you have an arts advocacy action item that you would like to list, please email us at “[email protected]” with details. Please bear in mind that we are an active nonprofit and we are unable to list events pertaining to public elections or general lobbying efforts.
ADVOCACY ACTION RESOURCES:
- Americans for the Arts
- Americans for the Arts Legislative Issue Center
- Americans for the Arts Action Center
- Arts NYS
- Be An Arts Hero
- Buffalo Niagara Partnership Advocacy Agenda
- Citizen’s Guide to NYS Budget Process
- Put Creative Workers to Work
- Frontline Arts Buffalo
- Partnership for Public Good Buffalo
- Vote Smart: Voter’s Self Defense
- VoterVoice: Whitepapers & other resources
- W.A.G.E’s Skills Calculator: Define your skills & price them according to prevailing wages
Exercise your right as an American citizen — register to vote. You can also use this online service to join a political party, change your party designation, or update your name and address on file with the Board of Elections.
To register to vote you must:
- Be a United States citizen;
- Be 18 years old by December 31 of the year in which you file this form (note: you must be 18 years old by the date of the general, primary or other election in which you want to vote);
- Be a resident of this state and the county, city or village for at least 30 days before the election;
- Not be in prison or on parole for a felony conviction (unless parolee pardoned or restored rights of citizenship);
- Not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court;
- Not claim the right to vote elsewhere.
To register online, you will need:
- NYS driver license, permit, or non-driver ID card
- ZIP Code currently on record with the DMV
- Social security number
Now, maybe more than ever, advocacy for the arts has immeasurable value. Build a stronger, more evidence-based proposal using the Americans for the Arts, Arts Impact Explorer, an effective advocacy case-making tool to educate decision-makers in 30 specific categories about the social, cultural, educational, and economic impact of arts and culture in building healthy and vibrant communities.
The 2024 Congressional Arts Report Card
The Arts Action Fund PAC’s 2024 Congressional Arts Report Card is an analysis and scorecard of how current incumbent Congressional candidates took pro-arts actions over the last two years. This document serves as your one-stop review of pro-arts actions taken or not taken by incumbents before you cast your vote at the ballot box. We evaluated 12 legislative arts indicators in the House and 10 arts indicators in the Senate. These arts indicators range from floor votes to prevent deep cuts to the arts and humanities to co-sponsoring important arts policy legislation and signing on to “Dear Colleague” letters with their peers in the House and the Senate to show group support for the arts. Those Members of Congress who showed exemplary leadership in being an arts champion earned extra credit. A total of 313 pro-arts House members and 54 Senators received a Thumbs Up on our 2024 Congressional Arts Report Card. A full 100% of Democrats and 44% of Republicans received a Thumbs Up to reflect the measurable increase in bipartisan support for the arts in Congress. Additionally, 32 super arts champions in the House and 2 in the Senate received a Double Thumbs Up for exceeding scores above 100% with extra credit Congressional arts leadership.
With current events constantly impacting the arts and culture field, this page serves as a dedicated hub where we will compile the latest updates, ensuring you stay informed and engaged with the issues that matter most.
Support the Senate Interior Appropriations budget number of at least $207 million for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) plays a unique role in broadening access to and participation in the arts in every congressional district and should be more fully supported to expand and deepen its impact on our communities and our democracy. The arts sector is an economic engine that brings people together. As the nation continues to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, the arts and culture sector is uniquely able to deliver on its mission to uplift, engage, educate, and innovate.
The NEA can help leverage the arts sector to play a key role in the work to imagine and build a new American economy. The Arts Endowment’s goals are fulfilled by awarding 60% of its grantmaking budget in direct grants—reviewed and recommended by panels of experts—to arts organizations across the country, and which signal artistic achievement and recognition. It awards the remaining 40% of its grantmaking budget directly to the states through state and regional arts agencies, an extraordinary example of federal/state partnership, extending the NEA’s reach further to millions of people in thousands of communities.
We stand at a pivotal moment in our nation’s history. The recent executive order issued by the current administration aims to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which provides critical resources to libraries and museums in all 50 states and territories. AFTA has been working with our partners to understand the new directive and wanted to share the impact the order may have on the cultural community that we advocate for, along with ways we can amplify our voices.
Proposed reductions to the IMLS jeopardize the very institutions that preserve our collective history, fuel creativity, and provide critical educational resources. If these cuts proceed, countless libraries and museums across the country will struggle to sustain programs that serve millions of people throughout the country.
Specifically, the Executive Order will:
- Eliminate any activities or programs not explicitly required by statute.
- Require the agency to submit a report to the administration detailing which functions are statutorily required.
- Reduce the agency’s operations and staffing levels to the bare minimum, drastically cutting the agency’s staff.
- Slash IMLS’ budget, mandating it reject any funding requests not aligned with the order, limiting its ability to support libraries and museums nationwide.
On Monday, March 31, 2025 we learned that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is targeting the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) with the aim of substantially reducing its staff, cutting the agency’s grant programs, and rescinding grants that have already been awarded. DOGE is targeting a small federal agency that—with an annual appropriation that amounts to a rounding error in the U.S. budget—has a positive impact on every congressional district.
Let your Members of Congress know that you condemn these actions and support the National Endowment for the Humanities!
May 1, 2024
In a resounding victory for the arts community, the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) budget has not only been restored but has also been significantly increased. The collective voice of artists, patrons, and supporters has been heard loud and clear, resulting in a budget that has soared from the proposed $50 million to an astonishing $162 million.
Let’s celebrate this achievement and continue to support the arts, which enrich our state’s diverse culture and remain a pivotal element of our economy. Together, we’ve turned a time of uncertainty into a future filled with promise. The arts in New York have not just survived; they have thrived, thanks to your advocacy and passion!
Thank you for your dedication to this cause. Your efforts have made a significant difference in the lives of many and will continue to resonate in the vibrant tapestry of New York’s cultural landscape.
Learn more.
ArtsNYS represents a coalition of organizations and individuals dedicated to advancing the arts in the Empire State. We hail from all corners of New York and are united in the belief that the arts uplift our communities, improve our wellbeing, and foster vibrant local economies.
Membership to ArtsNYS connects you to a network of arts service organizations, arts administrators, artists, and other champions from across New York. By pooling our experiences and aligning our voices, ArtsNYS advocates persuasively for expanded public investment in the arts. Over the last five years, we have built relationships with legislators and policymakers throughout state government to promote the role of the arts in education, commerce, health, and civic life.
Additionally, ArtsNYS works to aggregate information and opportunities for members to advance their own priorities. By hosting conferences and workshops, ArtsNYS expands its members’ ability to locate capital, develop programs, and, most importantly, create art.
Our members are as diverse as our industry, and our membership model accommodates partners of all sizes equitably. Organizations’ dues obligations depend on the size of their operating budgets, less any regrant money or in-kind support. Dues may be paid by check or online.
Governor Hochul’s FY26 budget proposal slashes arts funding by 36%, putting New York’s creative communities at risk. Now is the time to act. Write to your state legislators today and urge them to add the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) at $200M to their One-House Budget priority list before it’s finalized this week.
We’ve made it easy—use our customizable letter template to send your message now. The letter includes;
- A request to add NYSCA to Budget Priorities (due this week!)
- A $200M ask for NYSCA, including: $150M for Aid to Localities & Agency Operations and $50M for the Arts & Cultural Facilities Improvement Program (ACFIP)
This is our chance to keep the arts a priority and ensure access for all New Yorkers.
On Monday, March 31, 2025 we learned that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is targeting the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) with the aim of substantially reducing its staff, cutting the agency’s grant programs, and rescinding grants that have already been awarded. DOGE is targeting a small federal agency that—with an annual appropriation that amounts to a rounding error in the U.S. budget—has a positive impact on every congressional district.
Let your local elected officials know that you condemn these actions and support the National Endowment for the Humanities!
Humanities New York uses dialogue, reflection, and critical thinking to strengthen civil society and common bonds. Your support makes it possible for us to enrich the lives of New York State residents by breaking down barriers, bringing communities together, and building understanding.
Your voice matters! This guide provides all the essential steps to ensure your vote is counted in the upcoming election. From confirming your eligibility and registering to vote, to requesting an early mail ballot and casting your vote either by mail or in-person, we’ve got you covered. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make your voice heard. Follow the steps, meet the deadlines, and celebrate your participation in democracy. Let’s make a difference together!
It was recently brought to our attention that the City of Buffalo appears to be misusing their American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding and violating federal procurement laws.
On Monday, July 24, 2023, the Partnership for the Public Good (PPG) hosted a press conference publicly announcing their concerns and the fact that they are submitting a complaint to the US Department of the Treasury’s Inspector General about the City of Buffalo’s mismanagement of this funding and violations to the federal procurement laws. They are requesting the Department of the Treasury launch an investigation into the City’s management of these public funds and are collecting a growing body of evidence to prove wrong doing.
You can help by contacting Senator Chuck Schumer and Senator Kristin Gillibrand and encourage them to support PPG’s request to the US Treasury Department for an investigation on how the City of Buffalo has used their COVID relief funding.
Last updated: March 2025