Arts Advocacy can be as easy as A, B, C...

February 10-14, 2025 is South Carolina Arts Advocacy Week, an annual celebration of the incredible impact of the arts in our schools, our communities, and the lives of every citizen in the Palmetto State. When speaking with educators about advocacy, I’m often asked, “Where do I start?” With increasing responsibilities and pressures during (and after) the school day, trying to find the  time and energy to advocate seems daunting. In this blog, I’d like to share some easy ways that advocacy can fit into what you already do as educators. 

Always share a story. Data and logic are important parts of advocacy, but when you combine logic with emotion, you get an all-star advocacy message. This is where educators come in. Stories are an art form, but they are also a powerful tool for advocacy. Your stories can help keep people (students, teachers, families) at the center of our message about arts education. While we’d love for you to share these stories with decision makers, that’s not the only way to advocate. Moving the needle on public opinion is a big part of our work – and you can do this just as easily by sharing a personal story on social media, or even with your school colleagues and school leaders.

Be the example. Remember that you and your students are who we are advocating for. This means that you will always play an important role in advocacy, even if you are not the one making the “ask.” Let us know what you’re up to so we can elevate your stories for a larger impact. Let us know the challenges you face, so we can bring them to elected officials on your behalf. Our conversations with legislators are always the most successful when we begin them by referencing a community connection — this gives life to the message.

Create opportunities for advocacy. Because you are the example, and because your story matters most, your work is full of advocacy opportunities. Remember that legislators only spend three days each week (and about six months each year) in Columbia. This means that you don’t need to travel to the State House to connect with them. Work with your administration to arrange an opportunity for them to tour your school and see arts education in real time. Invite them to student performances to experience the results firsthand. Take a video of arts learning in action, post on social media, and tag elected officials. Want to go the extra mile? Let them hear directly from students by sending thank you cards during Arts Advocacy Week. 
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This week, I encourage you to reimagine what arts advocacy looks like as an educator. As I said at the start – you are already doing the work, we just want others to know about it. Continue to share stories about the impact of arts education, be the example that creates local relevance, and create opportunities to elevate your work. By doing these, you play a critical role in our advocacy work. It’s as easy as A,B,C.

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