On local, statewide and federal levels, Piedmont Council for the Arts coordinates regional advocacy efforts to assure future funding for artists and arts organizations.

Arts & Economic Prosperity IV

Communities that invest in the arts reap the benefits of jobs creation, economic growth, cultural tourism, and a rich quality of life that positions them to compete in our 21st century economy. By participating in Americans for the Arts’ Arts & Economic Prosperity IV study, PCA will help our community better understand the impact of the arts on economic prosperity in the Charlottesville area.

Americans for the Arts is a national organization that supports the arts and culture through private and public resource development. Their Arts & Economic Prosperity studies are among the most frequently cited statistics used to demonstrate the impact of the nation’s arts industry on the local, state, and national economy. With PCA as the regional partner for Americans for the Arts, our community will participate in an economic impact of the arts study of this caliber for the first time.

The most recent economic impact of the arts study undertaken in our region (2001-2003) indicates that at that time there were over $29 million dollars in expenditures by Central Virginia arts organizations. It is time to update the data for the Charlottesville area with improved survey methodology, and Arts & Economic Prosperity IV offers an ideal opportunity to do so. The Arts & Economic Prosperity IV data collection process began on January 1, 2011 and will last 12 months. PCA will manage the data collection process with the involvement and support of area arts organizations and key arts venues. Americans for the Arts will deliver the final report electronically in May 2012. PCA will present results of the study to the local community in summer 2012.

To find out more about Arts & Economic Prosperity IV in Charlottesville, click here.

Virginians for the Arts (VFTA) & Virginia Commission for the Arts (VCA)

PCA is an active member of Virginians for the Arts (VFTA), the advocacy agency supporting the Virginia Commission for the Arts, as well as Americans for the Arts, a national lobbying and advocacy organization.

Arts and cultural institutions are a vital part of building strong and vibrant communities in every corner of Virginia, from our most rural areas to our largest cities. Our stunning richness of art and cultural institutions is not a "luxury" but an important industry employing thousands of Virginians – a powerful magnet for tourism – an important asset for our children – and a unique catalyst for building and redeveloping communities.

However, with state budget cuts between 2008 and 2010, funding for the arts has dropped to .43 cents per capita, the lowest level of any state in our region. VFTA provides an Art Advocacy Toolkit for citizens interested in supporting the arts in our state.

Additionally, there are approximately 500 not-for-profit arts organizations and 25,000 professional artists in Virginia and nationwide the non-profit arts sector provides more jobs than many of its competitors. VFTA has published an Arts = Business for Virginia guide which provides more information on state organizations that are working to grow the economic power of the arts in Virginia.

Finally, VFTA sponsors the biennial Minds Wide Open campaign to encourage statewide collaboration in the arts. In 2010, this project presented a celebration of the arts featuring performances, exhibitions, literary readings, and films on the theme of Women in the Arts. PCA was a proud participant, hosting related special events and publishing a collection of photographs to recognize women in our local arts community. In 2012, the VFTA will repeat Minds Wide Open with a new theme: Children and the Arts.

How You Can Help

Write a Letter to the Editor Supporting the Arts

Write a letter to the editor about how much you value the arts in Virginia. During times of economic stress, public arts funding is vulnerable. The arts are building vibrant communities in our Commonwealth and are essential to its economy, educational system, tourism, and culture. Our public officials need to hear this from you!

Visit Virginians for the Arts to start your letter. By entering your zip code, you will be able to select up to five local media outlets. VFTA has provided suggested text, but the best stories are always your own.

Write a Letter to Your Legislators Supporting the Arts

Write your legislators, too, and let them know about the grants your community has received this summer from the Virginia Commission for the Arts. Thank them for their support of arts funding in Virginia. A listing of arts programs funded by the Commission by legislative district is now available through Virginians for the Arts.

Sign-up as an Arts Build Communities Supporter

The message is the same, regardless of the medium: The arts strengthen our communities, lift our spirits, and build a better quality of life for all Virginians. Become a supporter of The Arts Build Communities campaign through VFTA. You will be provided with printed materials, links for your website, bumper stickers, and more to help communicate the message that the arts play a pivotal role in strengthening our communities.



Become a PCA Member

You can also join PCA to support your local arts agency in helping gain financial support for the arts in Virginia! Together we can make a difference.