My Personal Journey of Arts Advocacy Day at Capitol Hill: by Becky Watson, MBA, Owner, Music for Wellness, LLC)
I was honored to attend the Arts Advocacy Day in Washington DC, be surrounded by other passionate creative artists, and learned how to promote creativity and public access to the arts with members of Congress. As Congress and the administration grapple with ever-changing policy proposals, it is imperative that arts advocates make their voices heard!
What is an Advocate? An advocate is anyone who is passionate and committed for a cause or an idea that communicates a convincing story that expresses their beliefs and passion.
What is Arts Advocacy Day? This is an event hosted by Americans for the Arts and cosponsored by 85+ national arts organizations, and is the largest gathering of its kind, bringing together a broad cross section of America’s cultural and civic organizations. Grassroots advocates from across the country come to Washington DC to meet with their members of Congress in support of issues like arts education policy, the charitable tax deduction, and funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. I’d like to share my personal journey of my FIRST Arts Advocacy Day at Capitol Hill held on March 24 and 25th in Washington, DC.
Day 1 (March 24): Advocacy Day Newcomer’s Orientation and Presentations:
We received a welcome package which included: Name Tag, Congressional Arts Handbook (Facts and Figures at Your Fingertips, Issue Briefs, Voting Records, Facts and Figures, and National Cosponsors), notebooks, bumper stickers, fans, and sample letters to Congressional members. We were assigned seating by our local state so we could collaborate on the details of the Congressional visits to the Virginia Members of Congress the following day.
The morning presentations included: Legislative and Political Update, National Endowment for the Arts Update, Facts and Figures to make your case. A high student, Emily Zauzmer, read her essay of the impact of Art in her life. She also wrote the book “Once Upon a Masterpiece, An Art History Adventure” as a fund raiser to raise awareness of the importance of the arts.
During the state delegation planning, we met our Team Captain, Mr. Justin Laughter, from the Virginians for the Arts and discussed our scheduled Congressional visits the following day. There were approximately 15 creative arts advocates representing the state of Virginia.
In photo above: Judy Simpson and Becky Watson
The afternoon panels included choice of attending: Arts in Health, Museums, Students and Arts Advocacy, Public Broadcasting, Nonprofit Tax Issues, Entrepreneurs, and Cultural Exchanges. I attended the Arts in Health facilitated by Judy Simpson, AMTA government liaison. She gave a presentation on how Arts in Health is dedicated to improving our nation’s health and healthcare experience by providing quality, cost effective services that achieve positive outcomes for patients, families, and caregivers. She also discussed the settings, tangible benefits, including improved outcomes, reduced costs, and enriched care environments. She also provided highlights of the Arts, Health, and Well-Being Across the Military Continuum – White Paper and Framing a National Plan for Action white paper released in 2013 and Music Therapy and Military Populations released in 2014.
The Arts in Health ASK requests included the following:
1. Direct the Veteran Health Association in the Department of Veteran Affairs and Military Health System in the Department of Defense to expand cost-effective creative arts therapies designed to address the health, well-being, and resilience across the military continuum.
2. Support funding for creative arts in healthcare research priorities within federal agencies.
3. Support the Veterans Health and Benefit Improvement Act of 2014 (S.944) and the Veterans and Armed Forces Health Promotion Act (H.R. 3516) to improve access to complementary and alternative medicine interventions, including arts therapies.
The evening event was the 27th Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy in the Concert Hall of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and may be viewed by clicking on link below. This year’s lecture is delivered by New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd, with introductions by Alec Baldwin.
27th Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy
Day 2 (March 25, 2014): Congressional Arts Kick Off Event, Cannon Caucus Room, Cannon Building
In photo above: Hindi Burkett, Becky Watson, Kimberly Sena Moore, Judy Simpson, and Heidi Bardot
The Congressional kick-off featured Congressional Arts Leadership Awards presentations to Sen Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rep Morran (D-VA) and remarks by Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07), and Alec Baldwin and other members of Congress. I also connected with fellow Music Therapists including Judy Simpson, Kimberly Sena Moore, and Heidi from CBMT and Heidi Bardot, Art Therapy Director at George Washington University.
In photo above: Henrick, Justin Laughter, Linda, Carolyn Appel, Becky Watson, Cynthia and Nicole Otto
The Virginia advocates made Congressional Office visits to: Sen Warner (D-VA), Sen Kaine (D-VA), Rep Cantor (R-VA), Rep Connolly (D-VA) and Rep Scott (D-VA). I had the privilege of attending meetings with other Virginia Creative Arts Advocates with Molly Newcomb, Rep Cantor’s Legislative Assistant, and Carolyn Appel, Sen Kaine’s Legislative Assistant.
In photo above: Nicole Otto and Becky Watson
During our Congressional visits, each member shared a personal story of how the National Endowment of the Arts and other non-profit and federally funded arts programs and grants impacted his/her clients and well-being. We also discussed how this federal support to is a vital economic, educational, and cultural priority that impacts communities serving veterans, aiding business development, enhance student learning, and health and wetness of baby boomers. Feedback from the Congressional staff members stated that although the funding climate is very challenging between tax reform, budget battles, and education re-authorization, they would ensure Congressional members understand the importance of their support for arts and arts education.
In photo above: Linda, Justin Laughter, Becky Watson, Cynthia and Nicole Otto
What did I learn from Arts Advocacy Day?
1. Make it PERSONAL. Show your TRUE PASSION and your STORY as you tell members of Congress the impact of the arts have on your clients.
2. COLLABORATE. Network with your fellow arts advocates from across the country and don’t be afraid go on congressional visits led by State Captains. Take it one step further and meet your local Representative in your community. Members of Congress want to hear from all of us.
3. UNDERSTAND the facts. We were provided a Congressional Handbook for the Creative Arts Day. Read, learn and be able to articulate the latest research facts and figures on the arts to help make your case.
In conclusion, what a great experience and opportunity to share my passion of Music with other creative art therapists. I would strongly encourage anyone to attend a Capitol Hill Day in their respective state or reach out to their local State or Congressional Representative to communicate the benefits of Music to their clients.
Becky Watson, MBA, Owner, Music for Wellness, LLC
becky@music4wellness.net
(757) 563-3488
