March is Cultural Advocay Month in Michigan

Do you believe in the impact arts and culture has on your community? Are a donor to organizations fulfilling their creative mission? Work as a volunteer to provide vital support for an organization’s purpose? Sit on the board of directors for a community-based non-profit? Or work in the arts and cultural sector? If the answer is yes to any of these, consider yourself an Advocate!

This March brings the return of arts and cultural advocacy month, a nationwide movement to bring attention and focus to the work that artists, practitioners, historians, librarians, and many cultural entities play in addressing critical needs in states all around the country. In the State of Michigan, the Cultural Advocacy Network of Michigan strives to bring a collective voice for cultural organizations in the fresh coast state, and continue advocacy efforts in 2022 with a Virtual Advocacy Month.

And while the month-long initiative will shine a light on the important work taking place, the Cultural Advocacy Network of Michigan is offering multiple advocacy days to teach supporters and connect them with Legislators working out of Lansing.

“Cultural Advocacy Day places a focus on how important arts and culture are in our daily lives and the importance of it being supported in our state’s allocation of resources,” described Larry Wagenaar, Executive Director & CEO at the Historical Society of Michigan and President of the Cultural Advocacy Network of Michigan. “Making Michigan an attractive place to live and thrive is something we cannot ignore as our cultural resources play a critical role in our sense of place and community.”

For more than two years, the Cultural Advocacy Network has learned to be nimble in how individuals can advocate in Lansing, and have proven that advocacy can be effective for the cultural community in Michigan through virtual technologies. In 2021, the Cultural Advocacy Network successfully advocated for increased funding and received an additional $1.5 million for the Michigan Arts and Cultural Council, formerly known as the Michigan Council of Arts & Cultural Affairs.

The Virtual Advocacy Month begins on March 2nd with weekly opportunities to engage with legislators in each district throughout the month. Registration for the weekly activities is required and can be found online at canmichigan.org. Members of the Cultural Advocacy Network of Michigan receive 50% off their registration, with each advocacy day session costing $10 for CAN Members and $20 for Non-Members.

The schedule for Advocacy Day activities includes:

March 2, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. | Panel discussion on the importance of Advocacy with the Co-Chairs of the Michigan Legislative Arts & Culture Caucus

March 9, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. | Cultural Advocacy Network of Michigan Advocacy Day 101

March 18, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Legislative Meetings: Meet with your State Representatives and State Senators via Zoom

March 23, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. | Lobby Day Wrap Up – Discussion on next steps with your legislator

The Cultural Advocacy Network of Michigan is a statewide non-profit organization that leads advocacy and education efforts to influence decision making at the highest levels of state and local government while ensuring that cultural leaders have the tools they need to deliver the highest quality of service for the individuals they serve.