Press Release: Arts and Advocacy: Let’s Fix This Joins Oklahomans for the Arts to Train Advocates, Support Arts at Capitol
Arts and Advocacy: Let’s Fix This Joins Oklahomans for the Arts to Train Advocates, Support Arts at Capitol
OKLAHOMA CITY (April 11, 2017) — Two Oklahoma organizations will help Oklahoma leaders, artists, and arts advocates from across the state share stories of how art has impacted their lives with their legislators during Oklahoma Arts Day at the State Capitol.
Let’s Fix This and Oklahomans for the Arts will offer ways that citizens can engage their statewide representatives to help raise awareness of the importance of investment in the arts in Oklahoma. Attendees will also hear from other local organizations as they demonstrate the impact of arts and humanities in their communities.
Andy Moore, executive director of Let’s Fix This, said the partnership between the two organizations just made sense.
“Our organization exists to help everyday citizens learn how to speak to their legislators so hosting a joint advocacy training with Oklahomans for the Arts benefits everyone,” Moore said. “Voters need to make our culture a driving issue, but many Oklahomans don’t equate neighborhood events or visual art to economic impact in our state. We’re here today to help change that.”
Oklahoma Arts Day begins with at 9 a.m. with advocacy training in the Blue Room, then continues with a Kickoff Rally at 10:30 a.m. on the second-floor rotunda.
You almost never hear the arts discussed at town halls or community meetings, where elected officials would realize how important it is to their constituents,’ said Julia Kirt, executive director, Oklahomans for the Arts. “Yet we forget that often what sets one day apart from another is some unique experience — how we felt after a play, a concert, a festival, a painting we saw or something we read. We’re here today to make sure our representatives understand that our arts and culture are a core voting issue.”
Following the 10:30 a.m. rally, advocates will meet with their legislators to share their personal stories of how arts and culture impacts them and their local communities.
Live music and interactive art displays will be part of the Capitol throughout the day. There will also be guided tours of the state art collection each hour.
The event is free and open to the public. More than 1,000 arts supporters participated last year.
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