February, 2004

ARTS DAY in ALBANY
Tuesday March 9, 2004
sponsored by
The Alliance/ArtsAction for New York and NYC Arts Coalition
in association with: THE ALLIANCE OF NEW YORK STATE ARTS ORGANIZATIONS

Make a contribution to support Arts Day!

Sign up for Arts Day!

Don't forget to make your appointments with your legislators!

Urge Your State Legislator To Increase NYSCA Budget by $4 Million

Join your colleagues and celebrities in Albany on TUESDAY MARCH 9 as we meet with legislators to gain support for the New York State Arts Council budget. Currently the GOVERNOR'S BUDGET HOLDS NYSCA FUNDING LEVEL:

* Grants to the field (Local Assistance) remain level at $37.4 million.

* Administration (State Operations) cut from $5.1 million to $4.91 million

But, as we've said all along, this is just the beginning of the budget process. The State Arts Council budget fared well, but our discussions in Albany with legislators since the Governor's Budget was released have led us to believe that with a focused and concerted effort there COULD be increased appropriation to NYSCA.

Therefore, the ARTS DAY MESSAGE is to increase the allocation by $4 Million Dollars. There are indications that this could happen.

With increased numbers at Arts Day we can influence the ultimate outcome. Your participation will make a difference. It is vital that your voice is heard. Please register to attend ARTS DAY NOW!

This year we reserved "The Well," the central lobby space in the Legislative Office building, to create a hub of activity throughout the day with exhibits, booths and performances all designed to draw attention to the vital cultural industry in New York State. Please sign up to participate in the showcase now!

Arts Day Information

ARTS DAY HEADQUARTERS:
Legislative Office Building:
OPEN ALL DAY: 9 am - 4 pm. Staff will be available to answer questions and offer guidance.

RALLY: 11 AM-12:00 pm. HEARING ROOM
A Legislative Office Building
This will be a gathering and press conference with celebrities. Pack the hearing room and help us present a unified voice for the arts!

LEGISLATIVE VISITS: ALL DAY LONG
Schedule your visits before and after the rally, if possible. If legislators are in session, you will see one of their aides. Make appointments ahead of time so your legislator knows you are in town. (You can also go directly to the third floor of the Capitol - the Senate and Assembly chambers - and ask a guard to get your legislator for you. Just hand them your business card and tell them that you would like to see your Legislator for a few minutes. This is not intruding - it's done all the time.)

THE MESSAGE: THE EFFECT OF ARTS IN YOUR AREA
Describe the impact of additional arts funds in your community. This is the most effective argument for additional support. We will have updated position statements to take to your legislators, but the most important thing is that they know what NYSCA funds in their districts. Be specific. Tell stories. Bring short, simple one page descriptions of your programs. Thank legislators for their support of the arts.

PARKING: Buses should disembark and pick up on the street level on State Street. 75 parking spaces are reserved for Arts Day in the Madison Avenue Lot, next to the Cathedral. If you wish to reserve a space, please send $7/space to the Alliance, Box 96, Mattituck, NY 11952 by March 1. IF YOU DO NOT RESERVE A PARKING SPACE IN ADVANCE WE CANNOT GUARANTEE PARKING PLACE.

IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND: Please call or fax or e-mail your legislators on March 1 at their Albany offices so they will receive a volume of mail about the arts. Further you can make a donation to support Arts Day. We must convey that huge numbers of people throughout the state are concerned about increased support for the NYSCA budget.


Also don't forget:


ARTS ADVOCACY DAY in WASHINGTON D.C.
March 29 - 31, 2004
sponsored by: Americans for the Arts