Advocacy for Arts as an Industry Segment
The Triangle ArtWorks platform and network also has a larger purpose. The arts industry has a significant impact on the Triangle’s economy and quality of life, but the community is comprised largely of nonprofits and small or micro-businesses. It is often overlooked as a business group and lacks an easy way to have a powerful voice in local or regional decision-making. Bringing this community together around a center, keeping them informed, and facilitating communication, empowers this community to work together to advocate for community needs and increase their civic engagement. The result – more power, recognition and a stronger voice.
Promoting the Arts as a Business Community
By bringing this community together around a center and creating a network to communicate, we have created a way to get information out to this community quickly about how a local, state or national political or policy change may affect their work, and how to have their voice heard.
A Seat at the Table
ArtWorks staff promotes the value of the arts community at the local, state and national level. We work regionally to participate in local Chambers of Commerce and other business groups, so that the arts, as a community, is recognized as a vital industry segment in the Triangle and has “a seat at the table” along with other business segments. We also provide resources to empower our Community to promote its own economic impact.
Fighting for the Arts
Triangle ArtWorks staff participates in North Carolina Arts Day and promotes, through its network, Calls for Action and other work of Arts NC, the statewide arts advocacy organization. We also promote, regionally, the work of Americans for the Arts Arts Action network and participate in Arts Day on Capital Hill.
To hear directly from some local arts advocates about why and how they are involved in arts advocacy, check out this great video by local artist, Justin Gartman, from 2016 “Give a Damn About the Arts” advocacy training event with Arts NC.