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Advocacy

Show your support for the Arts in Idaho

Take action and be an advocate for the arts! Your voice can help shape legislative policy.

In Idaho, we know the arts promote prosperity and strengthen our towns and rural spaces by creating jobs, tax revenue, and opportunities for tourism. See below for ways you can help ensure the continuation of funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the Idaho Commission on the Arts.

Like state arts agencies across the country, we receive federal funds from the NEA; half of the budget of the Idaho Commission on the Arts comes from the NEA, the other half comes from the Idaho State General Fund appropriation.

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reports that arts and cultural production accounts for $1,911,204,000 and 2.9% of the Idaho economy, contributing 20,977 jobs. Check out the economic data for the creative industries in Idaho and compare it to other states at the link below.

https://nasaa-arts.org/nasaa_research/creative-economy-state-profiles/

Download:
NEA Grants to Idaho, NEA State Facts PDF
IN 2018, A TOTAL OF $859,300 IN NEA FUNDS CAME TO IDAHO. SEE WHERE...

$75,000 were awarded directly to Idaho arts organizations and $784,300 were received through the State Partnership Agreement with the Idaho Commission on the Arts. The Partnership Agreement supports the grants and direct services delivered by the Idaho Commission on the Arts, Idaho’s not-for-profit arts organizations, artists, arts administrators, arts educators, and schools. The National Endowment for the Arts distributes more than 40% of its budget directly to the states through these partnerships with state arts agencies such as the Idaho Commission on the Arts.

Last year, because of this partnership, the Idaho Commission on the Arts awarded grants to 71 Idaho arts organizations in the amount of $544,003 in support of public programs in the arts and Arts Education Project grants reaching spanning 27 communities and multiple school districts. The Arts Commission further supported public projects and programs developed by hundreds of individual artists, including writers, painters, dancers, and actors—Idaho artists creating new projects and programs, experienced by thousands of Idahoans every year.

Wondering how you can help?

Call and write to your Congressional delegation

The Arts Action center makes it easy: just put in your zip code to get contact information for your Federal and State officials. They’ve provided suggested language for written correspondence. Mail a letter or postcard or send an email directly from the Americans for the Arts webpage.

Here’s what to say when you call:

“Hello! Thank you for taking my call. I’m a constituent from [CITY/TOWN] and I am calling to express my support for the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. I understand President Trump is considering eliminating the NEA and NEH, IMLS and privatizing our public broadcasting.

Do you know what [elected official]’s position is on this proposal? Thank you. As a constituent, I hope that the [congressman/senator] will reject attempts to terminate or reduce the size and scope of the NEA, NEH, IMLS and to privatize public broadcasting. These institutions create jobs, educate children, support arts learning at any age, and promote access to the arts in every community across America.”

Join the Arts Action fund

It’s FREE! Sign up for alerts to be notified of news regarding Federal cultural funding.  Website.

Use social media channels to show your support

Use the following hashtags and tag your elected officials:
#artsidaho, #savetheNEA, #artsvote, #standforthearts

Download and share the #SAVEtheNEA graphics

Participate in the arts

Engage in arts activities in your community: buy a ticket for a play, go to a museum or gallery, read a book by a local author, paint, draw, dance and sing. Show your support for the arts by enjoying, experiencing and sharing.  Search arts in Idaho here.

Know the facts but make it personal

Browse the links below for facts and figures about the value of the NEA and the economic benefits of the arts in our communities. Sharing your personal story about how and why the arts are important to you and the place you live can help bring those statistics to life.

Fact vs. Fiction: Government Arts Funding
published by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies

Five Essential Arts Arguments
published by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies

You can Shape Policy
published by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies

Congressional Arts Handbook: Facts & Figures at Your Fingertips to Be a Successful Arts Advocate
published by Americans for the Arts

Frequently asked questions about the NEA

The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) recently released four new advocacy videos promoting the public benefits of the arts. Each hand-drawn whiteboard animation tells a unique story of how communities thrive through the arts. Please use and share!

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