From left: Fireworks; Jenny Holzer, For the Guggenheim, light projection (2008); Leo Villareal, Flag, LED lights (2008)

NYFA’s Arts Advocacy section regularly provides up-to-date listings of select arts advocacy issues at the local, state, and federal levels. These listings are for current legislation efforts, which if approved will have a direct impact on artists and arts workers across the country.

Stop Proposed NYSCA Spending Cuts
Governor Paterson has proposed billions of dollars in spending cuts to the 2009-10 budget, seeking to close a projected deficit of $3 billion. Click on the Governor's plan to see a full description of his proposal, which includes significant reduction in funds for New York State Council on the Arts, the grant-making arm for New York State artists and arts organizations. The NYSCA funding available for the final October cycle is approximately $6 million, which could be reduced by $612,000 or 11% according to the Governor's plan. This reduction requires legislative approval, however no set date has been made for the Senate or the Assembly to return to Albany. Send this information to your legistlators to prevent further spending cuts.

Artists United For Health Care
Many artists have limited options when it comes to health insurance. As self-employed workers, they can either pay through the nose for private insurance, or risk going without. Either way, health care can be extremely taxing for artists—financially, physically, and emotionally. Artists United for Health Care is a new non-profit that aims to galvanize those who work in arts and entertainment to petition for health care reform. The group helps artists demand health care reform via letter campaigns to Senators and members of Congress. Click here to send an e-mail to your representatives, urging them to push for the passage of a health care reform bill. Artists United for Health Care has also posted an open invitation to share personal stories about current health insurance policies, and how they have affected you.

Support the House Artist Deduction Bill
Under current legislation, artists who donate their work to nonprofit organizations may only claim a tax deduction for the cost of materials used. This stands in stark contrast to the rights afforded collectors such as museums, libraries, and schools, who may take a tax deduction for the fair-market value of the work. Under HR. 1126, the House Artist Deduction Bill, artists would be enabled to take a fair-market value deduction for works given to and retained by nonprofit organizations. Click here to send either an original or pre-formulated letter to your state Representatives, urging them to co-sponsor the House Artist Deduction Bill.

Justice for Jazz Artists
In 2007, Associated Musicians of Greater New York (Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians) helped to convince New York State to eliminate the sales tax on admission to jazz clubs. State legislators expected that the tax relief money would be used by Local 802 and New York jazz clubs to the benefit of performing jazz musicians. Now Local 802 is petitioning New York’s jazz clubs–including Birdland, The Blue Note, Iridium, Jazz Standard, (le) poisson rouge, Smoke, Sweet Rhythm, and The Village Vanguard–to work alongside the union to put the tax relief money toward the American Federation of Musicians and Employers’ Pension Fund on behalf of performing jazz musicians. To sign a petition urging New York jazz clubs to contribute to the pension fund, click here.

Texans for the Arts
This past May, the House rejected a Senate amendment to HB3 and SB3, school accountability bills, which would make fine arts education integral to middle and high school curricula and necessary for graduation. With fine arts no longer a required part of Texan public education, arts courses could quickly become the target of district budget cuts, despite research that points to a strong correlation between fine arts studies and student performance in other academic subjects. Advocacy group Texans for the Arts is encouraging Texas residents to contact their representatives and urge them to protect fine arts opportunities for students. Click here for a list of representatives actively engaged with this issue.

California Arts Advocates
Arts advocates in California are currently fighting for the passage of the Creative Industries and Community Economic Revitalization Act 2010 (AB 700), a bill that would directly funnel 20% of sales tax from art sales and supplies to the California Arts Council. The California Arts Council is responsible for such programs as Artists in Schools, a residency program in California public schools, Poetry Out Loud, a statewide poetry competition for high school students, and grants for local artists and arts organizations. As such, the passage of AB 700 would bring new opportunities for arts institutions, arts education, and artists. California Arts Advocates provide a template e-mail for California residents to contact their elected officials in support of AB 700.

No Child Left Behind
With the pending reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act comes the opportunity for music and arts education to be redefined as “core” academic subjects. This redefinition would provide new and numerous opportunities for public school students across the country to explore and enjoy music and arts programming. Numerous advocacy groups are encouraging citizens to contact their members of Congress and vocalize their support for this initiative. NAMM provides a template letter, customized according to zip code, here.

Pennsylvania Citizens for the Arts
Pennsylvania legislators are currently compiling a list of priorities for the conference committee to review as part of the budget process. Pennsylvania Citizens for the Arts are calling upon Pennsylvania residents to contact their senator and representative and ask that arts funding through the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts be added to the priorities list. The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts plays a crucial role in creating new arts jobs, generating economic activity, and providing grants for arts organizations state-wide. Telephone calls are strongly recommended, and a form letter can be found here.

NYFA’s mission is to provide information and services to artists across the country; the listings posted here should not be considered the advocacy agendas of New York Foundation for the Arts.