Using the Toolkit

USING THIS ADVOCACY TOOLKIT

This Toolkit offers material, statistics, talking points and letter and media release templates for use by arts organizations, individual artists, arts patrons and community groups.

Here are some tips on using this Toolkit effectively:

• Check your numbers. Consistency in our use of statistics will help our message. The numbers and dollar figures in this toolkit are the most current available and have been checked and cross-checked against several sources.

• Create your strategy. Decide what your own best advocacy efforts will be, who you should target, and create a written strategy everyone in your sector or organization can agree on.

• Create your lists. Build a list of elected representatives, media contacts, business and social profit leaders and other “influencers” in your community.

• Organize events and activities. Letter writing sessions, presentations to your City Council, Chamber of Commerce and others, pre-show talks at your local events. Share this toolkit with everyone who is willing to help with this work to ensure that our message remains strong and consistent.

• Keep it diverse. There is enough material in the statistical analysis and talking points in this toolkit that no two letters, speeches or presentations need to read or sound the same. While the templates in this toolkit provide some useful frameworks, choose from the many pieces of information to frame your message to suit your situation. Feel free to quote extensively from the talking points and the many powerful phrases (with due credit) to be found in our “Quotable Quotes from Influential Voices” section.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF COALITION BUILDING

The Alliance has identified a need to build a strong coalition with all social profit sectors. Community sports, education groups, environmental organizations and social services have all been hit by these funding cuts, and together we will present a much stronger case to the government.

To this end the Alliance is reaching out to a number of groups and will be making this toolkit available for them to modify for their own use.  

Key organizations include:

- Assembly of BC Arts Councils

- ProArt Alliance of Victoria

- Le Conseil culturel et artistique francophone de la Colombie-Britannique (CCAFCB)

- Council of Tourism Associations of British Columbia

- British Columbia Association of Charitable Gaming

- Sport BC

- BCTC (BC Touring Council)

- The BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC)

- Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC)

We will explore opportunities to share strategies, messaging, presentations to government, and possible shared
branding of the lobbying initiative.

A later version of this Toolkit will include recommendations to community-based arts organizations for building
such coalitions in their own communities.