arts alert: Obama States Support For the Arts
Monday, July 7th, 2008MCA
Minnesota Citizens for the Arts
2233 University Ave. W. #355
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-251-0868 fax 651-917-3561
staff at mncitizensforthearts.org
www.mncitizensforthearts.org
Arts Action Center
July 3 , 2008
1. Obama States Support For the Arts
2. Volunteers Needed
3. Sample Newsletter/Email Article On the MN Amendment
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1. Obama States Support For the Arts
“I want our students learning art and music and science and poetry… and all the things that make an education worthwhile.”
Barack Obama, February 9, 2008.
Americans for the Arts has asked all of the presidential candidates to provide their positions on the arts and culture in America. Barack Obama has provided three: a list of legislation that he sponsored or co-authored in support of the arts, a list of policy positions on arts issues, and third, creating a National Arts Policy Committee which includes American artists and luminaries such as author Michael Chabon.
The Obama Campaign’s policy initiatives include: Reinvest in Arts Education, Expand Public/Private Partnerships Between Schools and Arts Organizations, Create an Artist Corps, Publicly Champion the Importance of Arts Education, Support Increased Funding for the NEA, Promote Cultural Diplomacy, Attract Foreign Talent, Provide Health Care to Artists, Ensure Tax Fairness for Artists.
If you want to see the details on these policy positions, all three papers are available for downloading at http://www.artsactionfund.org
Thus far, Candidate John McCain has not provided any position statements on the arts. When he does, we will also link to them.
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2. Volunteers Needed
Join Us! More Fun Volunteer Events in July
It’s parade and event season here in Minnesota and the next several weeks
offer a number of fun ways to get involved
with the Vote Yes campaign…
Friday, July 4 – Fourth of July Parades!!!
-Every year thousands of Minnesotans attend their local Fourth of July parade – and Vote Yes is excited to have a visible presence at as many of these parades as possible! What better way to spend this Fourth of July than joining your friends and family in a parade with the Vote Yes team? We’re looking for parade walkers for the following parades:
· Eagan (Yankee Doodle and Central Parkway; Meet at 9:30am for 10am parade start)
· St. Anthony Park (Como Ave and Luther Place; Meet at 10:30am for 11am parade start)
· Apple Valley (Pennock and Fireside; Meet at 12:30 for 1pm parade start)
· Others – if you are interested in organizing a parade contingent in your community, please let us know – we can supply you with signs, literature, t-shirts, and help with recruiting volunteers!
RSVP to Justin Fay –justin@yesformn.org
July 18th - 27th Event: Aquatennial
Time: All Day Events
Location: Minneapolis
Address: TBD
Contact: Arianna Allyn; 651-644-2088, xt 19
July 26th - 27th Event: Mississippi River Challenge
Time: All Day Events
Location: Minneapolis
Contact:Justin Fay; 651-644-2088, xt 15, justin@yesformn.org
ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES:
Letters to the Editor writers
We have 28 dailies across the state and 79 weeklies – all of which we would love to get letters in to. If you can help by getting a letter to the Editor in a daily or weekly paper near you – please contact Charlie Poster at 651-644-2088 x13 or email him charlie@yesformn.org. We will provide sample letters and/or talking points to help make it easier for you.
Host a house party
We are looking for individuals who would be willing to host a small gathering where we can talk to small groups of people about the campaign and the amendment. If you would be interested in hosting a house party, please contact Justin Fay at 651-644-2088 or email justin@yesformn.org
Speakers at Events
One of the best ways to spread the word is to invite someone from MCA or the Vote Yes! campaign to talk to your board, staff group, or civic organization. You can just respond to this email if you would like to have someone come to your meeting or event.
Vote Yes! Film Contest
Dear Minnesota Filmmakers:To celebrate and spread the word about The Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, the Vote Yes campaign is proud to announce a Film Contest. We want Minnesotan’s from all corners of the state and with all levels of experience to tell us why they love their state, in three minutes or less. There is no entry fee; the deadline for submission is September 1, 2008. The best story will be rewarded with a prize of $1,000, and viewing opportunities around the state and on-line, including at the Walker Art Museum! Rules and guidelines are posted on www.YesforMN.org. Please forward this opportunity to as many people as you can. This is a great opportunity for both new and established filmmakers to get their film in front of many faces at the Walker and around the state, for an amateur to get noticed, or a chance for someone to tell their Minnesota story.
The Campaign Website is up!
Take a look and take action now by joining the growing campaign at www.YesforMN.org.
Sign Up to get notice of volunteer opportunities and news from the campaign: http://my.conservationminnesota
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3. Sample Newsletter/Email Article on the Amendment
Help spread the word! Here’s a sample article you can put in your membership emails or newsletters. I will try to get a new one out each month:
This November, you have the opportunity to Vote Yes for Minnesota – dedicating funds to preserve clean water, protect game, fish and wildlife habitat, arts and parks and trails. This is a once in a lifetime chance to make an investment in protecting Minnesota’s quality of life and preserving it for future generations.
We need clean water for drinking, fishing and swimming, for the benefit of ourselves, our children and future generations. This initiative will protect our drinking water and provide funding for clean-up of our rivers, lakes and streams. Nothing is more important than having clean water.
The amendment will offer tremendous help to protect our environment. The outdoor fund will preserve our many forests, prairies and natural areas that both Minnesotans and our tourists enjoy so much. Protecting our lands for game habitat, wildlife, fishing, hunting, and hiking is critical at this time and passing this amendment now is the right thing to do for our state’s future.
Just like our natural resources, the cultural resources are important to our quality of life and tourism industry. Passage of this amendment will increase access to the arts for all Minnesotans, including greater access for kids to arts education. This amendment is a long-term investment in Minnesota’s future generations.
Lastly, this amendment will support and enhance our parks and trails system. While we enjoy ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, this will ensure that we upgrade existing facilities and expand our current network of parks and trails.
This November 4th, you have a once in a lifetime chance to make a long-term investment in Minnesota. Vote Yes on The Clean Water, Land and Legacy amendment and protect the Minnesota you love for future generations.
If you would like to volunteer with our campaign to protect the Minnesota you love, please contact Yes for Minnesota by phone at (651) 644-2088, or by email at info@yesformn.org.
