advocacy

Anne gave us a glimpse of what is possible:

• during most recent campaign, Americans for the Arts was able to galvanize supporters and generate 85,000 messages that were sent to Congress over a few days in support of a $50-million dollar ask.
  
• Sometimes they "bust a representative's phone system or voicemail system because of all the calls we make".
  
• From 2008 to 2010, they made sure that in every stop in every city made by the presidential candidates, they made sure that someone posed a question regarding their arts and cultural policies.

At the same time, says Anne, "we always make sure we work to advance the visibility and the authority of the local [arts agencies and advocates]."