Join GroundSwell in Harrisburg on May 12 for Pennsylvania Arts & Culture Legislative Visits Day

It is the season for advocacy! On Tuesday, May 12, Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Arts Education Network will host PA Arts & Culture Legislative Visits Day. GroundSwell wants to take 50 arts advocates from Southeastern Pennsylvania to Harrisburg to meet with their elected officials and discuss the importance of arts education in the Commonwealth.

 

Education funding is one of the Commonwealth's most pressing issues, and as our state legislators meet to discuss the FY2016 budget, it is important that they know the current state of arts education in our schools and the impact that increased funding could have on your school district or education program. 

On Tuesday, May 12, advocates will travel by bus with the GroundSwell Team from Philadelphia to Harrisburg. The day will start off in the main hall of the Capitol with a short program hosted by Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania and the Arts & Culture Caucus Co-Chairs. Following the program, advocates will attend a short Advocacy Bootcamp to provide some logistical information and give some background on the issues that are on the policy agendas for Citizens for the Arts in Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Arts Education Network.

After the Bootcamp, advocates will meet with their state representatives and state senators representing their home and/or work legislative districts to discuss the importance of arts education in their districts. Advocates are encouraged to share their stories about the impact of the arts on youth and the need to have adequate funding in schools in order to maintain arts programming. GroundSwell will set up meetings for advocates prior to the event and will provide additional background information to leave with legislators. 

The bus will return to Philadelphia by 5pm. 

If you are interested in attending PA Arts & Culture Legislative Visits Days in Harrisburg please send an email to groundswell@philaculture.org telling us your (1) name, (2) contact information, (3) home address (4) work address and (5) why you want to meet with your state legislators to discuss arts education. We only have room for 50 attendees so please let us know if you are interested in attending as soon as possible. We also want to ensure suburban participation so if you live in Bucks, Chester, Delaware or Montgomery counties please apply! 

The work of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is made possible through the generous support of committed individuals and institutions.