What is Arts Congress?

Arts Congress is our annual advocacy day, which takes place at the Arizona State Capitol on the first Monday in February. This is an important day, when you have the opportunity to speak to your legislators and tell them why you support the arts and how the arts have made a difference in your life.



Arts Congress 2012: Celebrating 100 Years of the Arts in Arizona

Thank You, Arts and Culture Advocates!

Thanks to all of you, it's been a good week for Arts Advocacy at the State Capitol. The best news is that HB2265, the bill to reauthorize the Arizona Commission on the Arts for another 10 years, passed unanimously out of the House Commerce Committee, on Wednesday February 8th. This is another significant step in the legislative process we believe will result the bill being passed and sent to the Governor for her signature.

After a number of discussions with the bill's bipartisan legislative sponsors, an amendment was attached to the bill and approved that restates Federal and Arizona laws which have informed the Arts Commission's policies and practices for the past two decades, regarding the Arts Commission's commitment to respecting the American flag and other sacred objects and its responsibility to promote practices that engage, involve and represent the standards of Arizona's deeply diverse communities.


Arts Congress 2012 Resources
  • Arts Congress Schedule, Map and Talking Points(pdf) 319KB


  • Advocate Training Book(pdf) 831KB


    • Arts Congress 2012 Sponsors

    Thank you for your support of Arts Congress as Sponsors to the following Arizona arts and culture organizations. Your support makes this event possible!

  • Childsplay
  • West Valley Arts Council
  • Arizona Theatre Company
  • Convergence Ballet Company
  • Arizona Museum for Youth Friends
  • Free Arts of Arizona
  • City of Mesa
  • Sharlot Hall Museum's Blue Rose Theater
  • Tucson Pima Arts Council

    • Arts Congress 2011: Arts Advocates Made a Difference

    Arts advocates from all across the state of Arizona participated in 82 meetings with state legislators, and provided valuable information about the arts economy to all 90 members of the House and Senate. Large groups of you were recognized on the floor of the House and Senate by a number of legislators. Others attended workshops and networked with each other at regional caucus meetings.

    Thanks to every one of you! Your time at that Capitol is critical to our success as a community. We will review the feedback from meetings with state Legislators and keep you up to date as to what advocacy steps we will take next.

    For now, please know that the arts advocates who attended Arts Congress made a significant impact. We raised awareness of the critical importance of the arts industry to Arizona. We initiated relationships with new Legislators, and reinforced our connections with longtime Legislators.

    State budget negotiations will go on for the next several weeks. And as disappointed as we are in the elimination of the state general fund appropriation, we should be encouraged by knowing that many of the legislators voiced genuine and energetic support for the Arts Trust Fund and the principle of public support for the arts in Arizona.

    As a follow up to Arts Congress, AzAA asks that you as arts advocates do the following:

  • Please send a personalized "Thank you" note to the legislator with whom you met. It is best to either use your personal stationary or your organization's to send the note. Please be sure to thank them for meeting with you at Arts Congress. AzCA/AA will also be sending thank you notes to legislators and their staff.

  • Invite your legislators to an event in your community and arrange for them to be recognized for attending.

  • Go to the AzAA Legislative Action Center and use the site to learn more about your elected officials and track legislation you care about.

    • Arts Congress 2011: Photos of the Day

    Resources Created for Arts Congress 2011 Advocates


  • Arts Congress Sponsors(pdf) 319KB


  • Advocate Training Book(pdf) 831KB

  • Legislative Liaison Training Book(pdf) 836KB


  • Arts Congress Map(pdf) 312KB


  • Arts Congress Schedule(pdf) 156KB


    • Past Arts Congress Events

    Last year more than 200 people attended Arts Congress 2010. The day also marked the format change for Arts Congress, starting a new tradition of face to face meetings between constituent advocates and elected officials. The day was a huge success and a fun experience. We hope you will join us this year!