WESTAF, the Western States Arts Federation, is pleased to announce the release of transcriptions from two sessions of the most recent WESTAF cultural policy symposium, Engaging the Now: Arguments, Research, and New Environments for the Arts, which was held October 15-17, 2009, in Aspen, Colorado.  The sessions, titled Messaging I: Constructing the Argument, and Messaging II: Arts and Culture Redefined, are now available online at: http://www.westaf.org/publications.php. The sessions include presentations and discussion about argumentation theory as it relates to the arts, considerations of ways to construct public-sector-focused messaging about the arts, and strategies for making the case for public art funding. Speakers include experts in the fields of communication theory, public policy, advocacy, messaging, economics, and popular culture.

Advocacy works. 

At the February 16, 2010 meeting, the LAUSD School Board passed a version of the Parcel Tax Measure with the arts included in the 75-word summary.

The motion, made by Board Member Steve Zimmer, was seconded by Nury Martinez was passed 5-1.  Tamar Galzan voted no and Margarette LaMotte was not present. 

Congratulations to everyone who took action: please click here to thank the LAUSD for their commitment to a complete education for every student.

We will post a link to the revised text of the parcel tax when that information becomes available.

Earlier this morning, Arts for LA reported that the LAUSD school board would vote today on whether or not to put a parcel tax ballot measure on the June 2010 ballot.  The proposed measure will help raise millions of dollars for the district.  The summary parcel tax language did not include designated funding for the arts in the 75-word summary to be used in ballots for the June special election.

Within three hours, nearly 100 local advocates wrote to the School Board asking that the arts be included in the parcel tax summary language.  The proposed language was: "To offset severe state budget cuts, improve student achievement in reading/mathematics/science/arts, maintain vocational education and job training programs…"

Click for more information about today's School Board Meeting.

California Arts Advocates in partnership with Arts for LA, LA Stage Alliance, California Alliance for Arts Education and the Los Angeles County Arts Commission presented a legislative briefing reporting on current arts-related legislation at the state level. 

Hosted by the Actors' Gang, the briefing featured lobbyist Kathy Lynch, who works for both California Arts Advocates and California Alliance for Arts Education.  Lynch spent an hour updating the group of arts advocates on issues such as AB 700, the arts education block grants and the new water bonds.  Terence McFarland moderated and led the Q&A after Lynch's overview.