Resources for arts advocacy

To learn more about McCain’s and Obama’s views on the arts, see these articles and video

   Arts Journal.com, Culture Grrl
   McCain hates Shakespeare
   McCain on arts funding
   Los Angeles Times – Obama, McCain and the arts
   Rocky Mountain News – Politicians weigh in on the arts

MyFairElection – a weather map of voting conditions across the USAs thousands of citizens rate their voting experiences, MyFairElection will produce a real-time “weather map” of voting conditions across the country.

This map will allow viewers to see where it is easy to vote, and where people have encountered obstacles. Journalists, advocates, officials, and citizens can use this map to address obstacles to voting in real time.

So, go to this link and sign up. You will be asked to rate your voting experience on election day. You can comment, describe particular problems, and even submit pictures.

Don’t forget to check out the Obama Mobile (Bamabus) adventures!

The Stencil America! Obama Mobile II began as a series of viral projects on separate coasts that focused on the intersection of art and politics. Learn more about filmmaker Annie Woods’ and artist Gadi’s adventures traveling across the United States in the Bamabus

ArtsVote Releases Comparison of Obama-McCain Arts Positions

A message from Arts Action Fund:
Americans for the Arts Action Fund is pleased to present you with its just released summary of the Arts Positions of the 2008 Presidential Candidates.

As you may know, Americans for the Arts Action Fund launched its ArtsVote2008 initiative in May 2007 in order to educate presidential candidates on issues impacting the arts and arts education with thegoal of securing-for the first time ever-formal position statements from the top candidates.

To date, we have shared with you Senator Barack Obama’s comprehensive arts policy proposal that he began issuing in February 2008. Unfortunately, the McCain campaign has not been as forthcoming, despite numerous formal requests from the Arts Action Fund and Senator McCain’s own supporters over the last year. However, we are pleased to report that Senator McCain has now issued a short statement he released in an article for today’s Salt LakeCity Tribune.

With this information in hand, we ask you-the arts advocate-to take action by doing the following things:

• 1. Share this side-by-side comparison of the presidential candidates with your friends, family, and colleagues.


• 2. Blog about this issue on any sites that you are affiliated with.


• 3. Post the comparison chart on your social network sites, such as Facebook, MySpace, and others.


• 4. Send a Letter to the Editor of your local newspapers and journals. We’ve made it easy for you by drafting a customizable letter at our E-Advocacy Center that you can personalize. You will then automatically be given the choice to e-mail your letter to all the key media outlets in your area based on your zip code.


• 5. Ask questions about policies on the arts and arts education to both your Congressional and presidential candidates in any kind of town hall forums, online chats, or any other public forums.


• 6. Vote for the candidates that you feel will best advance the arts and arts education in America.

With only 32 days left to Election Day, now is the time to act and show your support for the arts!

*Roll call votes on 7/12/00, 8/5/99, 9/15/98, 9/18/97, 9/17/97,7/25/94, 9/15/93, 9/15/93, and 9/14/93. Source: Americans for the Arts Action Fund, as of 10/03/08

Americans for the Arts Action Fund is the bipartisan advocacy arm of Americans for the Arts, engaging citizens in ensuring that all Americans have the opportunity to appreciate, value, and participate in the arts. Arts Action Fund members are citizen activists who are committed to helping make certain that arts-friendly public policies are adopted at every level of government and in the private sector. ArtsVote2008, a program of the Arts Action Fund, was created to secure bold, new policy proposals in support of the arts and arts education in America from candidates in the 2008 presidential campaign.

For more info visit artsvote.org, or call 202-371-2830

Photos that celebrate the Obama campaign, the arts and arts supporters working on his behalf.

Nii Armah Sowah with the 1000 Voices Project on October 3rd
Get-out-the-Vote event at Denver’s First Friday Art Walk

The Obama Bus in Denver’s Civic Center Park for the Peace Paint-In

Election Carolers in New Hampshire

That One on the campaign trail