Letter to Your Legislator | Letter to Request Appointment | Tips for Your Office Visit

Sample Letter to Your Legislator

(Date)

The Honorable (Legislator's Name)
(South Carolina House of Representatives) or (Hometown address)
(South Carolina Senate)
House address: P. O. Box 11867, Columbia, SC 29211)
(Senate address: P. O. Box 142, Columbia, SC 29201)

Dear (Senator________ or Representative _________):

The S. C. Arts Alliance is sponsoring Arts Advocacy Day, February 12, at the Statehouse.  Many arts supporters will be attending the Legislative Appreciation Luncheon and talking with their legislators to ask their support for increased state funding of the arts and arts education.  [I look forward to seeing you at the luncheon.] [or, I’m not able to attend this year, but I wanted to take this opportunity to ask for your support on this important issue for the arts].

Thank you!  After several years of budget cuts totaling more than 44 %, the General Assembly has approved budget increases for the S.C. Arts Commission during the last three legislative sessions!  These new grant funds are being used in communities all across the state to support arts education, general operating support of arts organizations, and cultural tourism initiatives – the majority in one-time monies!  [Now, tell your legislator know how you, your family, your students, value their experiences with the arts by personalizing your story.  If you represent an arts organization, tell about some of your services -- how much state arts funding impacts service to your community.  If you are an educator – tell how all students deserve an education that includes the arts; how the arts enhance learning, critical thinking, creativity, and problem solving abilities for your students.  Don’t be afraid to tell them what your community or schools will lack without a significant permanent increase in state arts funding.]  The financial return on grant investments is a great financial return – on average, $44 in local matching funds for every grant dollar awarded -- a great investment. [Quote your local success stories and statistics].  Again, I ask for your support of recurring state arts grant funds, and one-time facilities monies.

Thank you for your attention to the arts and your continued support.  [Take this opportunity to invite your legislator to your next performance, student art exhibit, classroom, board meeting, etc. and join the new Legislative Arts Caucus!]

Sincerely,
(Name)
(Title, organization, school, business, etc., address)

Sample Letter to Request an Appointment with Your Legislator

(Date)
The Honorable (legislator's name)
(South Carolina House of Representatives) or (Hometown address)
(South Carolina Senate)
(House address: P. O. Box 11867, Blatt Building, Columbia, SC 29211)
(Senate address: P. O. Box 142, Gressette Building, Columbia, SC 29201)
(City, State, Zip Code)

Dear (Senator________: or Representative __________):

The South Carolina Arts Alliance is sponsoring SC ARTS ADVOCACY DAY in Columbia, February 12, 2008, to celebrate the importance of the arts in our communities and arts education in the success of South Carolina's students.

As a [member of the _____arts organization; member of the faculty at_____; board member of ______; artist; business person with ________; parent of _________]; I believe the arts add value to the cultural, economic and educational life of all South Carolinians and want to thank you for your support of the first increases during the last two legislative sessions.  However, the average state arts grant for general operating support is still far below the FY 2001 average.  Grants for arts education are not nearly enough to support the major improvements that schools are attempting in districts across the state.  

I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you for a few minutes Tuesday morning, or meet you in the Statehouse lobby before or after the day's session, to briefly ask your continued support for a significant, permanent increase of state arts funds [or arts education; or a particular piece of legislation.  This is a good time to introduce colleagues to your Legislator; express appreciation for support; invite him/her to an arts event; or remind him/her to attend the Legislative Appreciation Luncheon.]

[In your meeting, plan to briefly, personalize the impact of state arts funding on your arts organization, school, or about what is happening in your community because of the arts; about the value of arts education for every student; how your organization serves a broad constituency through innovative arts programming; and/or the importance of leveraging state, federal and local public and private monies to serve our students; community, to add to the quality of life, etc.  Use the “talking points” provided by the Arts Alliance] 

Thank you for considering my request.  I will contact your office within a few days to confirm a time for our appointment.

IF YOU ARE NOT WRITING ON LETTERHEAD, PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER

1. Consider sending a packet of information about your organization, school or community programming, in advance of your visit along with your letter requesting an appointment. You will have a built-in conversation-starter! Mention successful programs and services involving the arts and art education and the importance of increased funding at the state level. Send a "thank you" following your visit.
   
2. Let your legislator know if you are an Arts in Basic Curriculum Site, receive money from the South Carolina Arts Commission, a recipient of the State Department of Education's Arts Curricula Grants (formerly known as "Target 2000" grants, National Endowment for the Arts, as well as private funding from foundations or business support. Let them know how you leverage funding from various sources to serve your constituents.
   
3. You may want to discuss any innovative partnerships and collaborations you have formed with other community entities such as the school and business community; city or county council government, tourism, chamber of commerce, churches, downtown development association, social services and after school programs for children at risk.
   
4. Be brief and be prepared. Try to follow your legislator's stance on issues regarding the arts and arts education through print and electronic media. If you have access to email, stay current on state and federal arts issues with the Arts Alliance