Presidential Campaigns and the Arts – It’s on US!

I finally made it! I did something I’ve always wanted to do! I went to Iowa where presidential candidates were courting caucus-goers at the Iowa State Fair. Believe me, it did not disappoint.

On August 14^th, NAMM supported and participated in the Iowa Arts Advocacy Caucus in Des Moines – an event developed by Americans for the Arts, the leading national arts and culture advocacy organization. The event included a full day of advocacy training that united arts, culture and arts education leaders throughout the state. Plenary sessions, workshops, and presentations by presidential candidates (or their representatives) encouraged attendees to speak up for the arts during the caucus process to ensure that the creative and cultural sector, along with advocates for arts education in schools, have a voice in the presidential election. Our friends at Americans for the Arts are masters at creating fantastic tools that serve all of us (advocates!). They are also experts at educating folks about political processes and effective advocacy techniques. During the Iowa Arts Advocacy Caucus, I was reminded again that “It’s on US” to bring the arts issue forward during presidential campaigns and speak up and act as advocates to all community leaders and elected officials. The current presidential campaign cycle is a great example of the need and our responsibility to represent what we care about –thriving, vibrant arts and cultural offerings in all communities with opportunities for every child to learn and grow with music and the arts in every school. It’s on US as people working in the creative sector – music businesses, musicians, artists, music and arts education teachers, parents of students who are thriving with arts education opportunities – to voice our belief and concern that this issue must be included in national, regional and local policy and funding conversations and debates.

Honestly, this issue will be addressed only if WE bring it up! The tools provided by Americans for the Arts for this campaign cycle – www.artsactionfund.org/pages/artsvote2016 and other advocacy tools offered by the NAMM Foundation and its SupportMusic Coalition www.nammfoundation.org/get-involved support our roles as advocates, but we have to be willing to act. After the Iowa Arts Advocacy Caucus training, arts leaders in the state were ready and willing to ask targeted questions of the candidates. Some sample questions to ask candidates in person or via email or social media include:

1.     What is your position about the need for all children to have the arts as part of the curriculum?

2.      Do you believe that every child should have an opportunity to learn in and through the arts?

3.     What policies would you put in place and/or support to assure access to high quality music and arts education for all children?

4.     What is your position on supporting the arts as part of thriving communities all across our nation?

5.     In your view, what role do the arts play in America’s international policy and diplomacy efforts?”

Iowans are in a unique position to participate in the first caucus state that serves as a gauge for candidates’ electability – beyond current polling. But those of us who are non-Iowans can be advocates on these issues by communicating with each campaign via email and social media platforms: most, if not all of the candidates have Twitter handles and/or Facebook pages. Reach out and ask your question! Wouldn’t it be interesting to hear candidates talking about something we also care about? And this holds true for advocacy on the state and local levels.

American’s for the Arts has done an extraordinary job providing information about the candidates that is available to all of us on their website: www.artsactionfund.org/pages/artsvote2016. I urge all readers to review and track information on candidates’ positions on the arts including statements and updates that will be provided right up to the general election. Note that candidates’ profiles provide tons of useful information – including Twitter handles, Facebook pages, background info on voting and policy statements, and sample questions customized for each candidate. So get involved! Remember, it’s on US!