Advocacy
Creating an environment of support for arts and culture is the single most important goal of the Alliance. We reach out to both the public and private sectors, holding community forums on the need for continued funding and other public policy issues. Through these efforts, the Alliance operates as a “unifying voice” representing the arts and culture community to government, businesses, the media, and the general public, all of which benefit from a healthy, thriving arts and culture industry. On a state and national level, we share that voice with others through membership in Tennesseans for the Arts, Americans for the Arts, and the National Association of Local Arts Agencies.
The Alliance’s advocacy projects also create a channel for artists and cultural organizations to express their unique voices individually. In 2005, the Alliance membership made a positive impression on the Tennessee state legislature when more than 30 member artists and cultural representatives convened in Nashville for Legislative Arts Day. The Alliance was proud to coordinate transportation and discussions with the Knox County legislative caucus for this important opportunity for artists and cultural organizations to meet with state lawmakers. The Alliance was also proud to host one of the most popularly attended candidate forums in the 2004 mayoral and city council elections.
In the past year, the Alliance has provided an opportunity for its members to meet and discuss issues affecting them with a wide variety of government and business representatives, including:
- Knoxville mayoral and city council candidates
- Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam
- Tennessee State Representatives and State Senators
- Leaders of the Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corporation
- Jack McElroy, editor of the Knoxville News Sentinel
- Representatives of local and regional foundations and funding agencies
- Downtown developers and other community leaders
Let your voice be heard, too! Enroll as an individual or organizational member in the Alliance and you can take advantage of these advocacy benefits and services:
- Advocacy: The Alliance orchestrates advocacy efforts on behalf of its membership, including letter-writing campaigns, distributing advocacy alerts, and arranging for artist participation in Legislative Arts Day.
- Advocacy Labels: Mailing labels for Tennessee Arts Commissioners, city, county, and state representatives. Just call and request at least 72 hours in advance.
- Publicity Guide: A valuable tool for increasing the public’s awareness of Alliance member activities, the guide lists local media outlets and publicity tips.
- Co-Op Advertising/Marketing: Information coming soon.
- Event Calendar: Increasing the public’s awareness of the arts and culture industry through a comprehensive events calendar published on the Alliance website and distributed to media, meeting planners, and hotel concierges.
- Networking Opportunities: Invitations to members to participate in a variety of networking opportunities, including community forums on the need for continued funding and other public policy issues, participation in Legislative Arts Day, civic leadership programs, candidate forums, event openings, receptions, the Alliance annual meeting, and other activities.
- Website: Increasing the public’s awareness of the arts and culture industry through the publication of a website featuring contact information for member artists and organizations, links to member websites, and a calendar of events.
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