Minnesota Citizens for the Arts (MCA) is making it easier than ever for you to play an active role in arts advocacy efforts at the state, local and federal levels.  MCA is pleased to announce its partnership with Americans for the Arts and arts advocacy organizations in 15 other states to provide citizens across the country with state-of-the-art online access to timely legislative issues and the legislators who make the decisions.

Grassroots advocacy is the foundation of our democratic system of government - elected officials respect and respond to the input of their constituents more than any other group. E-advocacy is the easiest, timeliest, and most efficient way to communicate your views to legislators at all levels of government. This is one-stop shopping for arts advocates!

The new online service through Capwiz offers you extensive opportunities to:

• Explore current issues and legislation impacting the arts (at the time of this writing only federal legislation is extensively covered. MCA will work to expand the state level content over the next year)

• Send timely messages to your elected officials at the state, local and federal levels of government

• Browse your legislators' biographies, committee assignments, staff directories, and even the list of contributions made to them by political action committees

• View the arts voting records of your federal representatives

• Access a complete media guide to every newspaper, television and radio outlet in your area or state

• Find complete, up-to-the-minute election and candidate information on state, congressional and presidential races including candidate biographies and position statements

• Download voter registration forms and stay abreast of key dates for primary and general elections.

Over the past few years, some states have attempted to slash their arts budgets in the wake of mounting deficits. However, successful advocacy efforts have defeated most of these proposals! More than ever, grassroots advocacy is the best way to protect public support of the arts.