Arts Advocacy

Day 2025

Join CA Arts Advocates and bring your voice to Sacramento for Arts Advocacy Day on Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025.

The morning kicks off with a rally and press conference and then advocates will meet with their state lawmakers to talk about the power of the arts, our challenges and needed policy solutions.

CA Arts Advocates will provide talking points and resources you need to have fun, effective, game-changing, relationship-building conversations.

  • Advocate Check In: 8:30 - 9:30 AM
  • Rally: 9:00 - 10:30 AM
  • Lawmaker Meetings: 10:30 AM -2:30 PM

Location: Capitol Park - map and further information will be linked here

Arts Advocacy Day is held in conjunction with the CA Arts & Culture Summit on April 22nd.

This page will be updated periodically - come back soon as more details are confirmed!

 

How to Register

  • STEP 1: Find Your Lawmaker here and decide what meetings you’d like to attend. For more information on areas they serve: CA Assembly | CA Senate

  • STEP 2: Click the Register button and select the lawmakers you will be meeting with. If you’re signing up on behalf of a group of advocates of more than 2 people: contact jennica@caforthearts.org

  • STEP 3: Captains will schedule meetings and your agenda will be updated with meetings times and locations

Whether you are a Captain or Advocate, we make it fun and easy to have a great day and make a difference!

Not Sure What Meetings to Sign Up For?

Lawmakers prefer to meet with their actual constituents, so start with Find Your Lawmakers and enter your home and business address to see who your state representatives are.

You also represent a regional constituency, so follow the instructions on the Fin Your Elected Officials page to find other reps serving your region.

 

Want to Be a Captain?

Advocacy Day Captains are critical to the success of the day! Captain Responsilbilites:

  • Attend the Activate State Lawmakers Toolkit Webinar | February 20th 12:00 - 1:30 | Recording | Download Toolkit | Related Resources

  • Schedule your lawmaker meetings - start as soon as your Captain assignments are confirmed (contact lists and email templates provided)

  • Prepare your group - April 4-20th (talking points and resources provided by CA Arts Advocates).

  • Facilitate your lawmaker meeting(s) on Arts Advocacy Day

  • Report out after - by April 30th

Why Captain?

  • Discounted Summit Ticket
  • In-Kind individual Membership ($250 level)
  • Great leadership opportunity, get to know advocates in your region and strengthen relationships with your district lawmaker.

To Register as Captain

Select the Arts Advocacy Day Captain category and pick the subcategory that applies to you. For example, Advocacy Day Captain Discount, Advocacy Day Captain only - Free, etc. If you are a $250 member you are also eligible for discount tickets - return to the registration page to get your ticket.

 

What to Expect on Arts Advocacy Day

  • An energizing Rally with speakers, performances, kicking us off for the day!

  • Engaging meetings with Lawmakers or staff (meetings with staff will be just as effective).

  • Meetings up to 30min - may be shortened or led away from initial plan

  • Connecting with Lawmakers or staff to build relationships. They love meeting with folks from their district!

  • Sharing personal stories relevant to talking points and policy priorities provided by CA Arts Advocates

  • Taking photos at meetings to share on socials and thank legislators after

  • Wear GREEN to unify our visibility! Business casual with comfortable shoes suggested

 

 

 

 

Key Dates

Mark your calendar to stay updated on all things Advocacy Day!

 

  • JAN 31 @ 12-1pm ➜ Captain Informational Meeting | Zoom Link | Meeting ID: 402 547 4784

  • FEB 20 @ 12-1:30pm ➜ Captains Training: Activate State Lawmakers Toolkit Webinar | Register

  • MAR 1 ➜ Captains: Start Scheduling Lawmakers Meetings

  • APR 3 @ 12-1:30pm 1 ➜ Webinar: Get Ready to Advocate to the State Virtual Rally! | Register

  • APR 4*  ➜  DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR ADVOCACY DAY!

  • APR 7-11 ➜ Captains contact Advocates to schedule prep meeting

  • APR 11 ➜ Captains: Goal Date to Set Meetings with Lawmaker Offices

  • APR 18 ➜ Captains: Deadline for Last Minute Lawmaker Meeting Schedule Changes

  • APR 23 ➜ Arts Advocacy Day at the Capitol!

  • APR 30  ➜ Captains: Arts Advocacy Day Reports Due

* Advocates registering after April 4th will have the opportunity to drop off Arts Advocacy packets at their Lawmaker offices - still fun and rewarding!

 

Need Support? Attend Captain & Advocate Office Hours!

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4025474784
Meeting ID: 402 547 4784

Drop In with your questions about being a Captain, Advocate, Advocacy Day, etc.!

  • FEB 28, 12-1 PM
  • MAR 14, 12-1 PM
  • MAR 28, 12-1 PM
  • APR 4, 12-1 PM
  • APR 11, 12-1 PM

Advocate Resources

Webinars

JAN 23, 12 - 1:30pm Activate ACCM Local Toolkit | View Recording Here
FEB 20, 12 - 1:30pm Activate State Lawmakers Toolkit | View Recording Here
MAR 20, 12 - 1:30pm Activate the Public Toolkit | Register Here
APR 3, 12 - 1:30pm Get Ready to Advocate! Virtual Rally | Register Here

Links will be added as resources become available!
  • Find Your Lawmakers - to help you in signing up for your lawmaker meetings
  • CA AssemblyMembers | CA Senators - for more information on areas served
  • How to view or download your meeting sessions: when it becomes available
  • After registering, how to update your meeting selections: when it becomes available
  • A Guide to Successful Advocacy: Download
  • Activate Locally Toolkit: Download | Related Resources
  • Activate State Lawmakers Toolkit: Download | Related Resources
  • Activate the Public Toolkit (social media): when it becomes available