2012 AAD: What to Expect Legislative Appreciation Luncheon

  • The South Carolina Arts Alliance sponsors a Legislative Appreciation Luncheon in honor of the Legislative Arts Caucus and attendees will include arts leaders, members of the General Assembly, special guests and you!
  • There will be an exciting luncheon program featuring special recognitions, guest speakers, student performances, and important arts issues.
  • Each legislator will have received an invitation from the Arts Alliance to attend the luncheon. The event will also be listed on the House and Senate calendar of events. Let your legislator know in advance that you will be in attendance and looking forward to sitting together at lunch.
  • The Luncheon takes place at the Capital City Club, which is located on the 25th floor of the Capital Center, right across the street from the Statehouse at 1201 Main Street. There is a parking garage in that building, as well as other municipal parking lots and 2-hour street parking.
  • When you arrive at the Luncheon, check in at the registration table, pick up your name tag, and take care of your lunch payment, if you haven’t done that in advance.
  • A SCAA “greeter” can direct you to the appropriate table where you will be seated with other arts advocates and legislators from your region of the state.
  • Legislators will arrive after the House and Senate adjourn for lunch, and throughout the program. Because last minute conflicts may arise, such as a called committee meeting, your legislator may not be able to attend the luncheon, even if he/she has responded in the affirmative. These conflicts, while disappointing, may be unavoidable. However, many legislators who have not made advanced reservations will also arrive for lunch and need to be seated. Some legislators will stay for the entire luncheon, while others may eat and run. We do expect the room to be filled to capacity.
  • Take advantage of this special opportunity to get to know your policymakers. You may end up sitting with a legislator that you do not know. However, you shouldn’t have any difficulty talking with anyone about the importance of funding the arts in our communities and in our classrooms.
  • Be prepared to talk about the arts in your community and innovative arts education initiatives in your schools; about the need to create arts experiences and build arts participation; how the arts are revitalizing your downtown; creating jobs, increasing the tax base — the economic impact of the arts and cultural tourism in your community – and the importance of having a state agency that brings access to the arts to all of our citizens and all of our communities.
  • The SCAA will provide some talking points and helpful information on the reverse side of your luncheon program. For additional facts and talking points, what for our email Advocacy Alerts. Check our web site at: www.SCArtsAlliance.net, keep up with our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/scartsalliance or contact the Arts Alliance.
  • Remember to thank legislators for their support of the arts over the last several years and ask for their continued support of the arts and arts education. Plan to send a “thank you” note to the legislators you meet over lunch – maybe on their Facebook page.
  • Encourage your legislator to join the S.C. Legislative Arts Caucus! Forms will be available at the Luncheon check-in table for the House and Senate members, on the SCAA web site or contact the Arts Alliance.
  • The Legislative Appreciation Luncheon will feature remarks by the Arts Caucus Co-chairs: Representative Jim Harrison (R-Richland), Representative Leon Stavrinakis (Charleston) and Senator Wes Hayes (R-York) and Senator John Land (D- Calhoun, Clarendon, Florence, Lee & Sumter). You will also hear from other legislators and arts leaders. Legislators will be introduced throughout the luncheon program.
  • This year you’ll enjoy a performance featuring students from the Greater Anderson Musical Arts Consortium (GAMAC) Boy Choir.
  • The Arts Alliance will have its “Miss Mona” ART WORKS IN SOUTH CAROLINA T-shirts tote bags (with a zipper closure) available for sale at the luncheon for $15 and a very limited number of our T-shirts for $10.