Arts Advocacy Community Roundtable – Acworth
Fortunately and with a bit of good timing, ArtsGeorgia and Acworth Cultural Arts convened a Community Arts Advocacy Roundtable at the ACA office in downtown Acworth on Saturday, March 7 ahead of the recent pandemic shutdown. The purpose of this roundtable was to launch a new series of community focused meetings to complement our annual and regional meetings. Officers and members of the local arts nonprofit attended the advocacy meeting.
Presented were updates on current arts advocacy initiatives and policy issues, a review of recent developments in Georgia, and a wide-ranging discussion about local, state and national arts advocacy related topics. A resource handbook was provided to everyone attending.
ArtsGeorgia’s presentation included an update on the recent creation of Georgians for the Arts as a nonprofit 501(c)(4) statewide arts advocacy organization and its status as the Americans for the Arts state arts action network (SAAN) representative for Georgia.Presentations continued on the history of arts funding in Georgia, an overview of state, regional and national arts funding, pending legislation, advocacy resources, and tips for working with local elected officials and state legislators to prepare those attending for challenges in the coming year. (No one foresaw the drastic impact of the pandemic.)
The presentation was followed by a group discussion of statewide issues and pending legislation affecting local arts organizations, funding for artists and the local economy in Acworth and the surrounding area. Issues unique to the Acworth community were covered and sourcing of potential resources were covered. The meeting concluded with an assessment by the participants and recommendations on who from the community should be included at future Roundtables. The Community Roundtable meeting was successful on many levels and those attending plan to . include advocacy in their efforts in their community.
Presentations continued on the history of arts funding in Georgia, an overview of state, regional and national arts funding, pending legislation, advocacy resources, and tips for working with local elected officials and state legislators to prepare those attending for challenges in the coming year. (No one foresaw the drastic impact of the pandemic.)
The presentation was followed by a group discussion of statewide issues and pending legislation affecting local arts organizations, funding for artists and the local economy in Acworth and the surrounding area. Issues unique to the Acworth community were covered and sourcing of potential resources were covered. The meeting concluded with an assessment by the participants and recommendations on who from the community should be included at future Roundtables. The Community Roundtable meeting was successful on many levels and those attending plan to include advocacy in their efforts in their community.
Acworth Cultural Arts Center (ACA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation formed to enhance art education and awareness of the arts in the City of Acworth and surrounding communities.
ACA envisions a community where everyone can experience the natural beauty of our area while enjoying a place where:
Art is seen in our downtown and recreation areas.
Music is heard on street corners and in concert halls.
Theater is locally accessible any form of art opens the human spirit to new thoughts, ideas and creativity…
ACA seeks to make the Acworth area more vibrant, more inclusive and more reflective of our heritage and cultures. We believe ART is the connective tissue that builds community!
April 12, 2020
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Posted in: Advocacy, Roundtable
