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!

 

Arts Advocacy Day Updates

Arts Advocacy Day Prep Meeting Locations Available During Summit
- Memorial Auditorium Inspiration Station room: open except for closed 11:00am-1:00pm and after 6:00pm
- Convention Center spots throughout including Atrium Cafe outside tables

Everything Arts Advocacy Day - Part 1
1. Double Check Your Meeting Info on the Advocacy Day Agenda Page
2. Captains should reach out or you can connect with fellow advocates via Contact Info of Registered Advocates (includes contact lists for each meeting). *Note: if you registered more than one person, they may not be receiving emails. 
3. Review the Policy Priorities, Talking Points, and research your lawmakers
   - Access all of these in the Lawmaker Meeting Resources Folder
   - Watch the "Get Ready to Advocate Training" to learn more (policy review starts at 12min in)
ATTN CAPTAINS: 
- Confirm room numbers with lawmaker offices
- Submit confirmed information in the Booked Meeting Form
- April 11- ideal deadline for scheduling
- New Captains: check out the Captain's Toolkit and our video training on how to use it (toolkit review starts at 10:31)
 

ARTS ADVOCACY DAY REGISTRATION FOR ATTENDING LAWMAKER MEETINGS CLOSED!
Advocates can still ignite relationships with lawmakers! Register now to attend Arts Advocacy Day, drop off leave behind packets, and say hello to lawmaker offices without scheduled meetings. So you will just not be signing up for meetings. Still an opportunity to ignite that relationship with your lawmakers!

Highly Encouraged to Download Stova App!

For questions, please contact L.T. Martinez, assistant@caforthearts.org

  • It is highly encouraged that you download the app to see updates in real time. It can be used to review the agenda, see your scheduled meetings, view maps, and upload photos you take during the day.

  • In the App under Attendees, everyone is discoverable so their name, title, and organization are listed

  • If someone doesn’t want to be discovered, go to My Profile, and unselect “Discoverable”

Captains Note - Setting Up Communication with Groups

  • You can either choose to communicate the day of via text OR via the app Chat function

  • If you choose to use Chat for your groups, everyone in your group needs to be “Discoverable” in My Profile of their app to be added to the Chat. 

  • You can set up your Chat groups before contacting them after April 4th.

  • Agenda session Chats are available, but anyone based on their registration can see and join - so it will be less private.

3/21/25 Check Your Lawmaker Meetings Registration ASAP!

  1. View your agenda to make sure you are signed up for the correct lawmaker meetings*. Visit the Agenda page and click the orange reference info "i" next to your meetings.
  2. If you need to change your meeting or haven’t registered, visit the Registration site to begin or modify your registration. While clicking through your registration, check that your phone number is a cell number and update if needed (in case we need to contact you day of)! You will need your reference number which can be found in your registration confirmation email.
  3. If your meeting doesn't have a designated captain, consider being the Captain - we will support! Without a Captain the meeting isn’t being scheduled. Check out our Info Site for information and email Jennifer at action@caforthearts.org. 
  4. Captains will reach out to advocates soon after April 4th (Arts Advocacy Day Registration Deadline) to provide you with info on how to prepare for your meetings.

*Not Sure Who Your Lawmakers Are? 

  • You can visit our Find Your Lawmakers page and enter your home or your business address. 

  • To find your lawmakers by county, visit the CA Assembly and CA Senate websites, and follow instructions for locating by county.

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 Find Your Lawmakers page to find other reps serving your region.

Want to Be a Captain?

Advocacy Day Captains are critical to the success of the day!

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.

 

Captain Resources

Activate State Lawmakers Toolkit | Recording | Download Toolkit | Related Resources

Office Hours 12-1 PM | Mar 28, Apr 4, Apr 11 | Zoom Link | Meeting ID: 402 547 4784

To see who signed up for a meeting: Visit the Arts Advocacy Day Agenda, click on the orange "i" icon next to the lawmaker name, then click on "Click here to see who is registered for this session."

Captain Responsibilities & Timeline:

  • Feb 28: Start scheduling your Lawmaker meetings (as soon as your Captain assignments are confirmed. Contact lists and email templates provided. See above toolkit for tips)

  • After April 3 Virtual Rally: Policy Priorities, Talking Points available *due to the nature of working with the state legislature, dates are subject to change. Thank you for your patience!

  • Apr 4-20: Prepare your group (Talking Points and Related Resources will be provided here).

  • Apr 11: Goal date to book meetings with Lawmaker offices. Submit Booked Meetings here.

  • Apr 18: Last day for last minute Lawmaker Meeting time changes. Submit Booked Meetings form. After this day, any meeting time changes from Lawmaker offices are up to your schedule. Contact advocates with changes, cancellations, or if you can no longer Captain, designate an advocate in your group to step up as Captain. Copy action@caforthearts.org so we're looped in with the change. (instructions subject to change)

  • Apr 23: Facilitate your Lawmaker meeting(s) on Arts Advocacy Day! Day of meeting schedule changes: communicate with your advocates and copy action@caforthearts.org. (instructions subject to change)

  • Apr 25-28: Send Lawmaker Offices Thank You Email. For new Lawmakers, aim to send by Apr 25 to keep the new relationship momentum going.

  • Apr 30: Submit Captain's Report

 

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 

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

  • MAR 1 ➜ Captains: Start Scheduling Lawmakers Meetings

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

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

  • 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
  • APR 18, 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 | View Recording Here
APR 3, 12 - 1:30pm Get Ready to Advocate! Virtual Rally | View Recording 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
  • To see who signed up for a meeting: visit the Arts Advocacy Day Agenda, click on the orange "i" icon next to the lawmaker name, then click on "Click here to see who is registered for this session."
  • How to view or download your meeting sessions: when it becomes available
  • After registering, how to update your meeting selections: Refer to your Registration Confirmation Email for your Reference number. Visit the Registration site to Modify Registration. You will need to click through the registration fields you already entered to get to the Advocacy Day sessions you selected to update.  
  • 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): Download | Related Resources