Take Action: Advocacy Resources
The National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures is dedicated to advocating on behalf of our communities for policies that benefit artistic and cultural flourishing.
What is advocacy?
The act or process of advocating or supporting a cause or proposal; an act of building support/community base.
What is lobbying? To conduct activities aimed at influencing public officials and especially members of a legislative body on legislation.
How do you advocate? It starts with getting to know the issue you care about. Consider some of the questions below to get going. Then, get to know your local, state, and federal elected officials.
- What is your concern about this policy?
- What is your organization’s history with this issue?
- What outcome do you prefer? What outcome is acceptable?
- What is your legislator’s record on this issue?
- What likely reasons will she/he use to oppose, avoid, or support your position?
- What do you need your legislator to do?
- Find facts or statistics to show how the arts organization is helped/harmed by this legislative issue.
- If a government program is involved, what alternatives exist?
Resource Guide (Special Edition)
The Special Edition of the NALAC Resource Guide includes additional contributions from a national cohort of panelists who presented at Raices Taller 222 (Tucson, AZ), as part of a professional development workshop hosted by Gabriela Muñoz, Artist Programs Manager with the Arizona Commision on the Arts (ACA) AZ Art Worker Program and moderated by Adriana Gallego, NALAC Chief Operating Officer, both alumni of the NALAC Leadership Institute.
The Guide is a complementary evolving resource intended for informational purposes only.
Links & Calls to Action
White House Blueprint Budget Proposal:
- Statement from the NEA Chairman | Click to read
- FAQ on FY 2019 Budget | Click to read
- Statement from Americans for the Arts | Click to read
- Infographic showing Appropriations Process Steps | Click to view
- 2018 NALAC Press Release on Proposed Elimination of the NEA | Fighting for the Future of Federally Supported Art
- Budget Blueprint background information and Samples Letters to send directly to your representatives | Americans for the Arts campaign on VoterVoice.Net.
Write your Representatives.
It is in the halls of state houses and Capitol Hill where the policies that directly affect the Latino arts and cultures communities take shape. Get involved and contact your elected representatives to tell them how very important arts and cultures are to the lives of every American.
Find out who represents you in the House and Senate by using the links below:
House of Representatives | www.house.gov/representatives
The Senate | www.senate.gov/general/contact_information
Common Cause | act.commoncause.org
Vote Smart Local and State Representatives | www.votesmart.org
Talk to your members of Congress. Ask them to support arts and culture by continuing the funding of the National Endowment for the Arts in the FY 2019 Interior Appropriations bill. You can reach the U.S. House switchboard operator here: (202) 225-3121.
Share your story. We want to hear how the arts have impacted your life and community, and we will share your testimonies with lawmakers. Send us an email at info@nalac.org.
