Arts Advocacy Day is a chance for arts leaders and the public to connect with each other and policymakers through a day long celebration of the arts considering new, innovative, and effective ways for policy makers to use funds to support DC artists and enrich the lives of everyone in DC.

Event Sponsors:

GW Corcoran College of Art and Design
GW Center for Civic Innovation
HumanitiesDC
iStrategy Labs
Big Think Web Creative

Event Locations:

Morning: GW Corcoran School Hammer Auditorium

500 17th Street NW, WDC --- New York Ave Entrance

Afternoon: GW Marvin Center Conference Center

800 21st St NW, WDC - Fourth Floor

Invocation: 

A poem by Gregory Luce (2014 Larry Neal Award Winner)

Keynote Speakers 10:00 – 11:00am

including:

Kay Kendall, Chair of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities;

Richard Reyes-Gavilan, Executive Director of the DC Public Libraries;

Ed Lazere, Executive Director of the DC Fiscal Policy Institute;

Andrew Taylor, Associate Professor, Department of Performing Arts at American University;

David Garber, Community development and local economy advocate;

Joy Ford Austin, Executive Director of the HumanitiesDC; 

Jim Graham; Former Ward 1 Councilmember
 

Strategies to Advance the Creative Economy (panel discussion) 11:00am – noon

including:

Andy Shallal from Busboys and Poets

George Koch from the Center for the Creative Economy

Eric Shutt from iStrategy Labs

Shana Glickfield from the DC Chapter of the Awesome Foundation

Adam Zuckerman from Fosterly

Natalie Hopkinson, scholar and writer 

Moderated by: Lynn Jennings, Board Member of HumanitiesDC

Lunch Break Noon to 1:15pm

BYO or go to a nearby spot; mix and mingle with keynote speakers, panelists, and attendees

The Arts Unconference 1:15 – 3:45

The unconference format creates space for peer-to-peer learning, collaboration, and creativity. At the start, all participants will gather and be guided through creating an agenda using open space technology. The process will become clear as it happens. If you're new to the format, the important part is that everyone will have the opportunity to put sessions on the agenda. All session ideas are welcome.

Example sessions you could lead include:
* exporting music in dc
* increasing film-making in DC
* artist housing
* space for the arts
* social justice and the arts
* anything you want!

The sessions convened will range from the formal to the informal. From the well thought out pre-prepared talk reflecting years of research and practice to the spur of the moment ‘new idea’ that would be fun to talk about. From the demonstration of a working tool to the whiteboarding of something completely new.

The unconference will end with a report out to policymakers, including suggestions for policy areas for development.

Apply to be an Emerging Arts Leader Fellow for Arts Advocacy Day

Selected emerging arts leaders will receive a free "gold" badge to attend all events, including the plenary sessions, and leaders luncheon, and a private roundtable with policymakers and experienced arts leaders. [Application deadline has passed.]
 

Apply to be an Artist Advocate for Arts Advocacy Day

Selected artist advocates will receive a free "gold" badge to attend all events, including the plenary sessions and leaders luncheon, and a private dialogue with policymakers and experienced arts leaders. You must be a working artist to apply in this category. [Application deadline has passed.]