Take Action Now!
URGENT - THE ARTS NEEDS YOU IN RICHMOND THIS THURSDAY
YOUR PRESENCE NEEDED FOR AN IN-PERSON SHOW OF SUPPORT THURSDAY AT THE VA GENERAL ASSEMBLY More Info
The proposed House budget actions would eliminate critical support for arts and cultural institutions, small and large, urban and rural, at a time when arts organizations are under unprecedented financial pressures and endanger receipt of federal arts funds by Virginia. Only once since the creation of the Virginia Commission has any organ of state government ever proposed the complete elimination of the Commission and its grants. This proposal, made by former Governor Doug Wilder in the budget cutbacks of the early 1990s, was overwhelmingly rejected by the General Assembly.
Supporters of the arts from across the state banded together then to resist that devastating recommendation, and created Virginians for the Arts as a permanent advocacy presence to ensure that such an effort would not be made in the future. The time has come once again to fight for the life of arts and cultural institutions in Virginia.
YOU are urgently needed at the Virginia General Assembly, in person, THIS THURSDAY. It is essential that arts advocates demonstrate to legislators that we care enough to come to the Capitol IN PERSON to oppose elimination of the Virginia Commission for the Arts by the end of FY2012.
Plan to join your colleagues and friends who care about arts funding in Virginia. Be there to make early morning visits to legislators and to stand in the gallery during debate where the future of arts funding in Virginia could be determined. Make an appointment with your legislator, if possible--if not, plan on dropping in.
PLEASE EMAIL VaForArts@aol.com (Trish Poupore) to let us know you will attend so we can supply you advocacy handouts and updates.
GO HERE TO SEE TALKING POINTS
GO HERE TO GET CONTACT INFORMATION FOR YOUR LEGISLATORS
VIRGINIANS FOR THE ARTS
Contact Trish Poupore
(804)644-2787
VaForArts@aol.com
