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Advocacy

Advocacy may not be part of your job description or class schedule, but it is an important part of your work. Advocacy is more than simply the act of speaking or writing in support of something. As a theatre educator or student, each time you step onto a stage or into a classroom you are affirming the value and purpose of your subject area as part of a well-rounded school curriculum. Even if your theatre program is not at risk for cutbacks or elimination, a proactive, well-organized effort to build support for what you do can ensure that a strong and articulate community of advocates is ready to speak up on your behalf when a crisis arises.

URGENT ADVOCACY ALERT

I am writing to you with an URGENT advocacy alert! 

 

There are about three months until Congress must determine how the federal government will fund all programs in FY 2025. Right now, the House Appropriations Committee approved its proposal for Labor-HHS-Education Funding and there are HUGE slashes to Title 1 funding by 25% while also eliminating Title II funding as well as the Assistance for Arts Education Program. the only Department of Education program focused on supporting the arts. The committee's rationale is that funding provided by the department should be focused on core education such as reading, writing, and math. 

 

We need your help to write to your elected official. I will be sending emails on behalf of NJ Thespians, but we need YOU to help in the fight. I have included a link that will take you right to votervoice.net. There you can just type in your information and it will send the emails for you, directly to your Member of the House as well as the two Senators. There is a pre-typed message but it also allows you to include your thoughts and personalize the message. 

 

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If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. Always remember, the sun NEVER sets on democracy! 

 

Sincerely,

Zach Bates, Arts Advocacy Director

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