Giving thanks
Together.
Thank Your Legislators!
Western Connecticut’s region received an unprecedented amount of state funding support of over 965 million dollars to arts and culture organizations. Giving thanks just feels right. Join us! The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut has joined together with the CT Arts Alliance and others across the state for the Thank Your Legislators Campaign. It’s designed to show our appreciation to legislators for the unprecedented amount of funding allocated in the 2022/23 State budget.
Simple and mighty.
Showing appreciation for support of the arts is a critical piece of long-term support for the arts from legislators. Provide legislators an understanding of how the allocated funding is benefitting the arts community. Let us show you how easy it is.
Take the Arts Promise.
My Arts Promise is a quick and simple opportunity for members of the community to show you’re ready to answer the call to support the arts. By adding your name and contact information, shows a promise to take an active role in advancing the arts during the legislative session. Make it your goal to be an active supporter of the arts! Find out 4 ways you can do so and make your promise to take action throughout the year.
What is the 1% for Arts campaign?
The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut teamed up with the CT Arts Alliance to advocate for 1% of ARP funding to municipalities. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) sends money directly to municipalities in Connecticut for leadership to use in ways that will best help their community. We are asking local leadership to reserve 1% for the arts in our region. Ridgefield is the first to commit at least 1% to the arts in our region.
Why 1%
Because a vibrant, thriving arts and culture scene directly benefits the recovery of restaurants, lodging, tourism and hospitality industries. Also, outdoor events throughout the summer and fall are vital for reviving downtowns, restoring jobs, and renewing our social connection. 1% will have a large and direct positive impact on your community! View the estimated funding allocation numbers courtesy of Connecticut Main Street Center.
We’re working
for you!
The Cultural Alliance joined the CT Art Alliance statewide campaign in 2021 advocating 1% for Arts. We sprang into action and reached out to municipal leaders in the 10-towns we serve by email and phone. Municipal art commissions were contacted to let them know we’re advocating for support to arts and culture and asked them to join us. On October 8th, we hosted The Arts Revitalize the Economy: Roundtable discussion with government, education, and business leaders. We can do more, but we need you!
Get involved.
Reach out.
We are in this together. We need your voice. If you’re a creative thinker, producer or presenter, designer, maker, arts organizational leader, trustee, staff, and others. Reach out to your leadership and ask them to reserve 1% for the arts. If your town is looking for ideas to support arts and culture, perhaps you have a few ideas of your own. Share them! For more information or help to strategize for your community, contact us!
QUALITY OF LIFE AND ECONOMY
Why the arts matter.
GDP and Jobs
CT ARTS & CULTURE SECTOR REPRESENTS
Covid-19 Impact
CT ARTS & CULTURE SECTOR IMPACTED
Economic Impact
CT ARTS & CULTURE SECTOR IMPACTED
%
of State's GDP
THOUSAND of State Jobs Created
BILLION in Lost Revenue
%
of Unemployment
MILLION Generated in Economic Activity
THOUSANDS of Jobs Generated
Why Partner with Arts Organizations?
Businesses need people and strategies that can respond to an ever-changing, complex world of work. Leveraging the arts to advance diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives creates a platform for connectivity and cohesiveness. Let us show you how.
%
of companies – with less than 100 employees believe that the arts support heir corporate objective to create conversation about important issues.
%
of population agree that arts “help them understand other cultures better”
%
of companies with more than 25,000 employees say that the arts support their corporate objective to address issues of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
At Ameriprise Financial, we celebrate the arts as a medium that brings people together and enables us to see the world through the lens of diverse cultures and experiences. We support programs, exhibitions, and artists that enrich our communities, inspire new ways of thinking, and share the beauty of art with people from all walks of life.
Economic Prosperity
By every measure, the arts provides economic prosperity for America. According to the latest study, nonprofit arts generated $166.3 billion of economic activity in 2015.
BILLION In event-related expenditures by their audiences
BILLION In spending by Arts & Cultural Organizations
BILLION generated in revenue to local, state, and federal governments
MILLION jobs were supported
Americans for the Arts’ fifth economic impact study of the nation’s nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and their audiences. The study is the most comprehensive of its kind, detailing arts in 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Past Advocacy Work
Create The Vote Candidates Forum
The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut hosted a candidates forum on October 22, 2020 in an effort to connect voters and candidates. We invited candidates who completed the Create The Vote survey to discuss their plans to strengthen the arts and culture sector in the region and State.
