Advocacy. Unity. Growth.  ArtsGeorgia works year round to provide resources, opportunities and updates to implement these priorities at the local, state and national level.

ArtsGeorgia (National CoSponsor 2013-14, National Partner 2015-2018) actively supports the annual Americans for the Arts National Arts Advocacy Day. ArtsGeorgia has assisted other Georgia arts advocates and advocacy organizations in attending Arts Advocacy Day. ArtsGeorgia President Bill Gignilliat served as State Captain for the Georgia delegation in 2018.

ArtsGeorgia provided the first comprehensive advocacy resource for artists, arts administrators and arts advocates in 2013 with publication of the ArtsGeorgia Official Arts Advocacy Handbook – 2013. As a sponsor of the 2013 Georgia Arts Advocacy Day, copies were distributed for free. The revised publication, ArtsGeorgia Official Arts Advocacy Handbook, is available as a benefit of membership, by email request, or you can download and print the pdf version from the ArtsGeorgia website. (Use ArtsGeorgia Publications or Advocacy Tools tabs)

1. Join the AFTA Arts Action Fund

Join to advance the arts and arts education in your community and across the country.  The Americans for the Arts’ Arts Action Fund annual membership is free and your online benefits include:

• Membership to vote on the legislative policy platforms
• Breaking news and legislative alerts from the e-advocacy center
• Quarterly updates through Arts Action e News
• Exclusive access to the member’s only Arts Action Fund PAC

Be part of the movement to guarantee healthy arts funding and arts education in America.
Join the Arts Action Fund http://www.artsactionfund.org/

2. Apply for a DUNS Number

Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) keeps track of more than 70 million businesses world-wide through its Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS). In recent years, the DUNS number has become increasingly important to both federal and local governments, and national arts organizations. Two events have occurred that reflect the importance of arts organizations obtaining a DUNS number.

First, the federal government, including the National Endowment for the Arts, has recently adopted a new policy that requires all organizations to provide a DUNS number as part of their grant applications and proposals (South Arts requires as it re-grants federal funds).

Second, Americans for the Arts has created an annual research initiative  – the Creative Industries Project – it uses DUNS numbers to document the number of arts-related businesses and employees in any geographical region or political jurisdiction. This information is used to increase awareness of the national scope of the arts industry and provide a way to advance the arts at the state and national level.

As a result of these actions, many grantors require that all applicants have a DUNS number and include it on all applications. There is no fee for registering for a DUNS number. Organizations may register online.

Online registration has been expedited, it no longer takes 30 days,  it is still important you begin the process now. If you call 1-866-705-5711 you will be referred to this site:  fedgov.dnb.com/webform. You will be asked to provide the following information (subject to minor changes):

• Legal name of organization
• Physical address (and PO Box if you have one)
• Telephone number
• Web address
• Name of the authorizing official (e.g., president, director, etc.)
• The purpose of your organization (e.g., non-profit dance company to perform and create work)
• Total number of employees

Your organization can register for a DUNS number via D&B’s web site at http://www.dnb.com/ Choose the “DUNS number only” option at the top in the yellow header. Note that registration via the website that used to take up to 30 business days to complete has now been expedited and will take only one day.

3. Review ArtsGeorgia’s advocacy resources and tools found on the drop down menus above.

• • A. Download a free copy of the ArtsGeorgia Official Arts Advocacy Handbook.You will find contact information for members of the Georgia General Assembly and other elected officials.
  • B. Subscribe to ArtsGeorgia’s communication options: the ArtsGeorgia State of the Arts eNewsletter, followArtsGeorgia on Facebook and on Twitter for news, resources and advocacy updates.
  • C. Use Americans for the Arts capwiz tool to find your Congressional representatives, local media and press,
    and to receive advocacy alerts. AFTA Advocacy: http://www.artsusa.org/get_involved/advocate.asp

    AFTA E-Advocacy Center: https://votervoice.net/artsusa/campaigns