Illinois Art Education Association

Advocacy

Be Ready for Advocacy

1. Arm Yourself with Facts – Acquire all the information, data and testimonials to refute the very reasons the district is considering a program reduction or cut. Then provide information regarding the positive benefits of the art program to contrast any statements that may attempt to undermine the value of the program.

Arts Education Partnership- http://aep-arts.org.htm

Keep Arts in Schools- http://www.keepartsinschools.org

Illinois Arts Alliance- Arts at the Core: Every School, Every Student-http://artsalliance.org/education.shtml

National Association of State Arts Agencies/Arts Education Partnership- Critical Evidence: How the Arts Benefit Student Achievement-http://www.aep-arts.org

2. Present Your Case in an Unemotional Way – “Just the Facts” is the best way to layout your position. Overly emotional or hysterical presentations only work to harden the position of your opponent.

3. Build a case for the best interest of students-
Students should be the center of every argument.

4. Look for Concrete and Hidden Reasons – Hit their argument with additional facts or research. This gives your audience two choices: 1) Respond to the facts and make the proper decision or, 2) ignore the facts and do what they want. If they ignore the facts then there is a bigger underlying issue. Ignoring the facts will also empower advocates to show how the actions are not being considered based on research, facts, and the best interest of… the students! The media always has a field day with an elected body that ignores the facts!

5. Messengers are important. Find the best possible people to make the case and who will be listened to by the audience and who hold opinions the audience will value. Parents, business leaders, concerned citizens all make good presenters when they are empowered with factual information. A letter from an art expert from another community can be read to the audience. Invite school community stakeholders; a community member, parent, and a student should all participate!

6. Leave your cliental happy- this is the best advocacy!

Additional Advocacy Resources:

Youth Art Month is an opportunity to promote your students’ artworks and advocate for art in your school and community. Be sure to let IAEA know about the great things that you are doing in your schools and communities this March. IAEA will send the National Arts Council a portfolio that documents all the great YAM events that take place in Illinois, but we need your help!

Please document art activities in your community and submit photographs, flyers, newspaper clippings, etc. to be included in our national Youth Art Month portfolio. Please fill out this form [INSERT LINK] and email the completed form along with documentation materials to nhostert@d211.org. Alternatively, you may also mail your form and documentation to the address below.

Nick Hostert
YAM Chair
nhostert@d211.org
Palatine High School
1111 N Rohlwing Rd
Palatine, IL 60074

IAEA members will soon receive a copy of this year’s Youth Art Month poster in the mail, featuring artworks from students around the state based on this year’s theme, “Faces of Illinois.” Be sure to put this poster on display in your community or school to help promote art in Illinois. Submit your student’s work next fall to have a chance for your student’s work to be showcased throughout the nation. Details for next year’s theme will be posted soon.

Advocacy

Illinois Art Education Association 2010 Youth Art Month