From national partner Americans for the Arts: As Congress focuses on creating jobs and reducing the federal deficit, the arts are being threatened. It is imperative that arts advocates come together through events like Arts Advocacy Day to help educate members of Congress about the role the arts play in spurring economic growth and job creation. Register now for Arts Advocacy Day 2012, April 16-17 in Washington, DC.

The 25th annual Arts Advocacy Day is the only national event that brings together a broad cross section of America’s cultural and civic organizations, along with hundreds of grassroots advocates from across the country, to underscore the importance of developing strong public policies and appropriating increased public funding for the arts.

• LEARN new ways to make the best case for the arts to decision-makers.
• NETWORK with other attendees from your state and across the country.
• BE HEARD by your members of Congress when you visit them to make the case for the arts and arts education.

Acclaimed actor and arts advocate Alec Baldwin will deliver the 25th Annual Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy. Receive two free tickets to the lecture with your Arts Advocacy Day registration.

Learn more at AFTA's Arts Advocacy Day website.

Photo: California arts advocates at Advocacy Day 2011.