News from Virginians for the Arts:
While we cannot expect the arts to be exempted from cuts in such dire economic times, we can ask our legislators to avoid disproportionate cuts to arts funding.
Unlike a member of the U.S. Congress who is barraged with massive correspondence on any given issue, a Virginia legislator only needs to hear from a handful of voters to take notice.
Help demonstrate to legislators that the arts are an essential economic asset worthy of investment, not a liability. Here’s what you can do:
- Arrange a visit with your legislator in his/her home district office-before January 14, the start of the legislative session, if possible-and share how much you value arts organizations in your community. See the Advocacy Toolkit on the VFTA website for Talking Points and a listing of grants the Virginia Commission for the Arts provides in each legislative district.
- Write your legislator if you are not able to arrange a visit. Contact your legislator here.
- Write a letter to the editor to your local paper about why the arts (and Virginia Commission for the Arts funding) are important in your community. Your own stories are always best, but if you need additional facts go VFTA’s Build Your Own Letter to the Editor.
Thank you for your essential support!
