What is Arts Advocacy?

Anything that helps support the continuation of the arts could be referred to as arts advocacy. It takes many forms, from something as simple as inviting local school board members, elected officials or administrators to performances and exhibitions, or as extensive as arranging formal visits to meet with members of the state or national legislature and other policy makers. It most often takes the form of education, sharing information about the potential impact of an action or decision, and occasionally takes the form of lobbying or more direct action, asking a policy maker to support or oppose a specific issue.