Arizona Citizens for the Arts

Critical for so many elements of our lives - society, economy, wellbeing, and good paying jobs.

Just a friendly reminder that Arizona arts are BIG BUSINESS.
What other industry provides 762% ROI?
More AZ art = More AZ $

Today's quote is by Ed Mell, a local artist from Phoenix, Arizona. Creativity thrives on breaking boundaries and challenging the status quo, pushing the limits of convention to discover new realms of expression.

AZ creativity contributes $1.1 billion to the AZ economy. That's billion...with a "b".

Nonprofit arts and culture org contribute more than $775 million in resident household income, impacting every single Arizona household! 🌵👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

This includes salaries, wages, and entrepreneurial income directly benefiting our residents, fueling daily necessities like food, mortgages, and more. 🍲🏠💸

It's not just a number; it's the heartbeat of families flourishing across our state. 🌟💙

Today marks the first day of our series. To start us off, we have a quote attributed to Fritz Scholder, a La Jolla Luiseńo artist from Scottsdale, Arizona, who reminds us it's not the solitary hues but the vibrant conversations between colors that captivate us and lead us into the unknown.

On Tuesday, Governor Hobbs signed the FY2025 Arizona State Budget, which includes $2 million for the Arizona Commission on the Arts. This is a 60 percent cut in funding from FY2024.

But without the noise generated by YOU, the arts advocates across Arizona, we could have ended up with NO FUNDING for the Commission, which was proposed just days before the Legislature adopted the budget. Key legislators held their votes for the budget until funding was included for the arts. They did that because YOU delivered a strong message that zero funding was unacceptable.

AZCA extends our deepest appreciation to the advocates who made this impact. AND we are going to ask you to stay with us as we make the case in the coming months for a much greater investment in the arts in the future.

*** 30 SECONDS CAN SAVE AZ ARTS OUT OF CRISIS ***
Please help us - call Gov. Hobbs - demand arts funding.
***ARTS ARE STILL ZEROED OUT OF THE BUDGET***
ASAP - call day and night. Governor Hobbs at 602-542-4331

Let her know: "Zero funding for the Arts Commission is UNACCEPTABLE. Words of support for the arts mean nothing without action to back it up. Arts funding needs to be put back into the budget."

And then hang up and call a second call - same phone number - and deliver the same message to the Governor's Chief of Staff, Chad Campbell.

Your emails to legislators have worked - they have heard you. It appears that the Governor has not. We need her to take action today to fix this budget.

NEW ALERT FOR ARIZONA ARTS ADVOCATES:

THE ARTS ARE STILL LEFT OUT OF THE BUDGET.

We need you to do this TODAY:

Call Governor Hobbs at 602-542-4331 and tell her that zero funding for the Arts Commission is UNACCEPTABLE.

Words of support for the arts mean nothing without action to back it up. Arts funding needs to be put back into the budget.

If you have time, make a second call - same phone number - and deliver the same message to the Governor's Chief of Staff, Chad Campbell.

Your emails to legislators have worked - they have heard you. It appears that the Governor has not. We need her to take action today to fix this budget.

State legislators are at the Capitol in Phoenix today looking at a budget proposal that includes ZERO FUNDING for the arts. Every arts advocate in Arizona must send a message TODAY to their three legislators and Governor Hobbs that $0 for arts is unacceptable. Click below to take action - it takes less than 30 seconds!

Zero Arts Funding Still Could Happen The first look at the latest budget proposal that could be passed by the Legislature is showing ZERO FUNDING for the Arizona Commission on the Arts.Your legislators NEED to hear from you TODAY. Tell them why eliminating funding for the Commission is...

With only 46 days remaining until the beginning of FY2025, we still do not have a commitment to fund the Arizona Commission on the Arts. Right now, we run the risk of ZERO DOLLARS for the arts. Governor Hobbs needs to hear from arts advocate about how devastating this would be. It only takes a few seconds to send your message to the Governor at https://www.votervoice.net/AZARTS/Campaigns/115705/Respond

Join Arizona Citizens for the Arts *NOW* at this link
https://bit.ly/4by7xhw
to receive an email with the link to join our IMPORTANT UPDATE on Wednesday about the state arts budget.
Without our action it's possible the arts budget could be zeroed out entirely this year - and that would have serious consequences for Arizona artists and Arizona arts organizations.
Make sure to sign up so you receive the link and can join the call on Wednesday May 15th at 10:30am (11:30 am Navajo Nation time) for an update on the budget for arts funding at the Arizona Legislature. AZCA will have the latest information about negotiations between legislators and the Governor's Office. Get answers to your questions about how your outreach to elected officials can be most effective. NOW IS THE TIME TO TAKE ACTION!

Lawmakers are at the Capitol today. And they need to hear from YOU, the arts advocate, why they MUST fund the Arizona Commission on the Arts. With a huge budget deficit, there is a real possibility of NO funding for the arts, which would be devastating to artists, arts organizations and the people who experience art every day. Lend your voice to the choir that is having an impact: lawmakers are hearing you. It only takes 20 seconds to send a message to all three of your state legislators and the Governor by clicking here:

We Must Fund the Arts Commission As lawmakers move into serious negotiations over the State of Arizona budget for FY2025, we need to remind them how important it is to fund the Arizona Commission on the Arts. This week is a crucial time for you to add your voice to the choir...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqqRldjqfwk

🎨 Check out this exciting interview from with Randy Cohen, VP of Research at Americans for the Arts! 🌟

AZ Arts & the Economy Vice President of Research from Americans for the Arts, Randy Cohen, discusses how Arizona’s non-profit arts and cultural sector benefits the economy.

📢 Support HB 2040 and HB 2194: Take Action Now! 📢

Your prompt action is pivotal. Stand with us in advocating for ticketing reform and ensuring fair access to cultural events for all. Together, let's make our voices heard.

Don't delay. Take action today.

https://azcitizensforthearts.org/arts-advocacy-center/legislativeactioncenter/?vvsrc=%2fCampaigns%2f111580%2fRespond

• What do public art programs need to consider, related to policy and climate resilience, to benefit BIPOC communities?
• Where are the potential partnerships and collaborations between public artists and current climate policy?

Research proposals might focus on questions like these for our next Change Lab Research Fellow, who will bridge the worlds of climate resilience and public art: bit.ly/FPAfellow3

Be our next Research Fellow, and make a tangible impact on national public art policy.

Apply by 11:59pm CT, February 18. This fully remote, 6-month Fellowship includes a $5,000 stipend and begins April 1, 2024.

For examples of artists practicing this work, explore FORWARD Issue 6: Climate ( bit.ly/fpaFWD6 ), where we highlight the specific roles artists are playing in the effort to tackle climate change, through case studies on projects spanning the globe.

Around AZ with AEP6: An Update from Flagstaff

Non-profit Arts and Culture in Flagstaff generates more than $85.6 million in economic activity!

Study shows Flagstaff’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $85.6 million in total economic activity Americans for the Arts study reveals arts and culture generate economic activity in Flagstaff, supporting jobs, income and tax revenue. Creative Flagstaff administers historic amount to local nonprofits and projects.

Around AZ with AEP6 was such a success! Read about our Yuma presentation here:

Arts contributing to Arizona economy - KYMA Americans for the Arts stopped in Yuma to discuss how the arts generated a total of $1.1 billion for the state of Arizona in 2022.

Call for ideas: Healing our Highways through creativity, community, and culture (applications open) - Smart Growth America Smart Growth America, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Kresge Foundation, is requesting applications for our new grant program, Healing Our Highways. This initiative aims to generate creative ideas and activities that build knowledge, connections, and power within disadv...

That’s a wrap! Thank you Nogales, AZ for hosting the AEP6 presentation!

Hilltop Gallery

🌟 Exciting News! Join us for our January Coffee Hour ☕️

📅 Date: Wednesday, January 10
🕒 Time: 8:30 AM
📍 Where: Virtual Event

🎉 Dive into the world of the creative industries and economy at our virtual coffee hour! ☕️ RSVP to [email protected].

Discover:
✨ What AZCA is all about
✨ Ways you can get involved
✨ Share your thoughts on how we can better serve YOU

Connect with fellow art enthusiasts, learn, and help shape the future of AZCA! 🎨✨

See you there! 🌈

🌟 Empowering Arizona, One Household at a Time! 💰🏡
Nonprofit arts and culture organizations contribute more than $775 million in resident household income, making an impact in every corner of Arizona! 🌵👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

This includes salaries, wages, and entrepreneurial income directly benefiting our residents, fueling daily necessities like food, mortgages, and more. 🍲🏠💸

It's not just a number; it's the heartbeat of families flourishing across our state. 🌟💙

🎨 Arizona's $5 million investment in the Arizona Commission on the Arts has not only fueled creativity but also sparked an incredible economic return. 🌟 The numbers speak for themselves: a staggering 762% ROI, resulting in over $38 million in state tax revenues. 📈🌵

This investment isn't just about supporting the arts; it's an investment in the prosperity of our state. 🌈✨ Let's continue to foster a vibrant cultural landscape that not only enriches our souls but also boosts our economy. Here's to the power of creativity and the incredible impact it has on Arizona! 🥳🎊

is here! 🎁 Now is the time to embrace the spirit of generosity and make a meaningful impact on the community around us.

🗣️ Give Your Voice: Share on your social media platforms why you endorse Arizona Citizens for the Arts or express the significance of arts and culture in your life. Remember to tag AZCA in your posts!

⏰ Give Your Time: Contribute your time and talent to a local arts and culture organization. Explore our partner organizations for inspiration.

💸 Give Money: Go to https://givebutter.com/AZCAGrassroots to make a donation, supporting our efforts to promote and sustain arts and culture in Arizona.

Ready to give? Complete our Challenge to contribute and be a part of this global day of giving.

Let’s rally together to build stronger creative communities.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A8Ty5ibP0GxNoZEurCmR-s7Ds-RGERhF/view?fbclid=IwAR3rTeynTIE5d-_Xz96n8fW0V9d9bbAPlD_T-lWGtzFNFu5ivOb9h_f1ZqY

is here! If you already participated in be sure to inspire others with an . If you have not had a chance to give, now is the time to join the global movement of giving.

🗣️ Give Your Voice: Share on your social media platforms why you endorse Arizona Citizens for the Arts or express the significance of arts and culture in your life. Remember to tag AZCA in your posts!

⏰ Give Your Time: Contribute your time and talent to a local arts and culture organization. Explore our partner organizations for inspiration.

💸 Give Money: Go to https://givebutter.com/AZCAGrassroots to make a donation, supporting our efforts to promote and sustain arts and culture in Arizona.

Ready to give? Complete our Challenge to contribute and be a part of this global day of giving.

Let’s rally together to build stronger creative communities.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A8Ty5ibP0GxNoZEurCmR-s7Ds-RGERhF/view?fbclid=IwAR3rTeynTIE5d-_Xz96n8fW0V9d9bbAPlD_T-lWGtzFNFu5ivOb9h_f1ZqY