Greater Pittsburgh Sending Delegation to National Arts Advocacy Day
Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council to lead delegates to Capitol Hill, March 12 and 13, 2018
PITTSBURGH, March 9, 2018 - Continuing the trend of leading an annual delegation to the National Arts Advocacy Day, the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council staff and associates will join arts advocates from across the nation on Capitol Hill on March 12 and 13, meeting with federally elected officials and asking for their support for arts and culture. Hosted by Americans for the Arts and co-sponsored by 85+ national arts organizations, National Arts Advocacy Day is the largest gathering of its kind, bringing together approximately 700 arts advocates from broad cross section of America's cultural and civic organizations. On March 12, Americans for the Arts will brief advocates on current policy issues and advocacy strategies followed by March 13 office visits with elected officials and their staffs.
Says Mitch Swain, CEO of the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, “March 12 and 13, we will connect local artists and citizens with legislators to communicate the important role the arts plays in our communities. The arts are an integral part of Pittsburgh’s revitalization, and we want our elected officials to know the positive impacts federal funding and policy for the arts make in our local communities.” This year’s primary briefing points include: continued support and funding for the National Endowment for the Arts; Internet neutrality; and charitable tax deduction policy – all three issues under attack by the current administration. The complete Congressional Arts Handbook with issues briefings, policy asks, and voting records of elected officials is located, here, courtesy of Americans for the Arts. Historically, Pennsylvania sends among the top number of delegates to National Arts Advocacy Day, and a large delegation will show this year, as well. The SWPA delegation is comprised of 17 artists, arts administrators, and policy students who will meet in small groups with nine elected officials and their staff: U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-17), Rep. Michael F. Doyle (D-14), Rep. Mike Kelly (R-3), Rep. Scott Perry (R-4), Rep. Keith Rothfus (R-12), Rep. Bill Shuster (R-9), Rep. G.T. Thompson (R-5), Sen. Bob Casey (D), and Sen. Pat Toomey (R). Karl Blischke, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, will join for some of the meetings. SWPA arts advocates:
- Len Ayers, Carnegie Mellon University (MAM)
- Lauren Cornwell, Carnegie Mellon University (MAM)
- Emily Evey, ArtsAltoona
- Ryan Ferrebee, Pittsburgh Emerging Arts Leaders, City Theatre
- Rebekah Geiselman, Carnegie Mellon University (MAM)
- Olivia Grabowsky, Carnegie Mellon University (MAM)
- Daria Jarani, The Westmoreland Museum of American Art
- Nancy Levin, Slippery Rock University
- Katelyn McClure, DuBois, PA
- Matt Michrina, Altoona Community Theatre
- David Pankratz, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council
- Ellie Pfeuffer, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council
- Ruby Robina Saha, Carnegie Mellon University (MAM)
- Caitlin Skaff, Pittsburgh Emerging Arts Leaders, United Way
- Tara Snyder, Carnegie Mellon University (MAM)
- Mitch Swain, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council
- Kaitlyn Zurcher, The Westmoreland Museum of American Art
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