Government spending on the arts at the local, state and federal levels increases when elected officials understand how the arts can help them advance their particular policy agendas. The arts can, in fact, give policy makers the tools to address a wide range of civic concerns from education to economic development to workforce training in creative and cost-effective ways.

Effective communication with our elected policy makers requires ongoing interaction – not just contacting them in a crisis. A key factor in the decision that a legislator makes on any issue is the importance that constituents place on the issue. Every phone call, every letter, every fax and every email, is counted.

The following two articles are easy, get-started guides for your advocacy work. Links to contact information for elected officials representing your region are available below. Make advocacy an ongoing part of what you do – and watch this page for issues at the local, state and federal level that demand your immediate participation.
Top Ten Ideas to Grab the Attention of Your Legislators
32 Ways to Help Your Legislators Feel Good About What You Do

Make Your Voice Heard Now
Local – links to cities, parishes and school boards in Acadiana
State – links to state representatives and senators for Acadiana
Federal – links to federal representatives and senators for Acadiana

Join the Louisiana Partnership for the Arts (LPA) – your state arts advocacy organization.
Click here for more info.