Texas Arts Advocacy Day is on Wednesday, February 5, 2025!
Join us for the most important day of arts advocacy during the 89th Texas Legislative Session!
Join your colleagues and citizen activists from across the state, as we gather to learn, share, and participate in the democratic process! Everyone has a story about how the arts make a difference in their own lives, in that of their families, and in their communities. Your voice (and your vote!) are the most important tools that you have in speaking up about the importance of investing public resources in the arts across our towns, cities, regions, states, and nation.
At our 2025 Texas Arts Advocacy Day, learn how to put your passion about the arts into constructive and informative advocacy, through orientation, training, and more. Plus, Texans for the Arts Foundation will provide materials for you and your legislators on the issues most important to all of us: increasing the public investment in the arts.
As artists, arts administrators, board members, and citizens interested in the arts, you are already advocating every day through your work. Join us as we demystify arts advocacy and set attendees off on productive and rewarding visits with their legislators and their staff at the State Capitol.
Looking to Make a Bigger Impact?
Take your support for the arts to the next level by becoming a sponsor of Texas Arts Advocacy Day 2025. Sponsorship offers unique opportunities to showcase your organization’s leadership and amplify your voice in arts advocacy.
Explore Sponsorship Levels to align your brand with this impactful day and ensure the arts remain a priority across Texas.
Prefer to attend as an individual? Purchase Tickets Below.
REGISTRATION NOTICE:
We will be able to ensure a scheduled meeting with your legislative office and attendee packet for all who register prior to Friday, January 24, 2025.
However, after January 24th, you may still register and there will be room for you to attend and join in the full sessions!
THE SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY: (subject to change)
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Registration (Coffee Available across the hall at the Capitol Grill)
Capitol Auditorium, E1.004
9:30 a.m. -12:00 noon - Advocacy 101, Training and Education
Capitol Auditorium, E1.004
Welcome - Fiona Bond, Executive Director, Creative Waco, President, Board of Directors, Texans for the Arts Who we are, what we do, how we engage, why we are here.
From the Legislator's Perspective - (TBD) What makes for successful advocacy when meeting with your elected officials.
Texans for the Arts' Legislative Agenda for the 89th Session - Chris Kiley, Executive Director, Texans for the Arts From increasing appropriations for the Texas Commission on the Arts to protecting the Municipal Hotel Occupancy Tax, what are our legislative priorities?
Texas Commission on the Arts Funding & Programs - Dr. Gary Gibbs, Executive Director, Texas Commission on the Arts - Protect and grow the legislative appropriation for the Texas Commission on the Arts (“TCA”), with a particular focus on Arts Organization grants, the Cultural District project grant program, and “Exceptional Items” outlined in TFA’s legislative agenda.
Texas Cultural Trust shares the 2025 State of the Arts Report- Heidi Marquez - Smith, Executive Director / Jenny Parry, Director of Programs, Texas Cultural Trust. Vital new economic and arts education, health and tourism data that underlines the important role the public investment in the arts plays across the state.
Municipal Hotel Occupancy Tax - Scott Joslove, Executive Director, Texas Hotel & Lodging Association - How HOT fuels the creative economy.
Advocacy in Action, Speak Up - Speak Out! - Shannon Ghangurde, Lobbyist, Texans for the Arts, and Chris Kiley, Executive Director, Texans for the Arts Take pride in your work and its value to the community. Demystify arts advocacy –Make your legislative office visit a success! Role playing and gathering with your team with time to prepare for your visits.
The Impact of your Voice! TBD
12:00 p.m. - 12:10 p.m. Advocacy Group Photo
Capitol Rotunda
12:10 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Celebration and performance by West Texas Jazz
Capitol Rotunda
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Grab Lunch at the Capitol Grill or nearby Restaurants / Gather with your co-constituents and plan for your visits!
2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Legislative Visits Meet with your Texas Senator and Representative or their staff and share our collective Agenda for the 89th and your stories about the impact of the arts in your community/their district!
Texas State Capitol, Legislative Offices
*TFAF staff will pre-schedule office visits with attendee’s respective legislators and include that information in attendees’ packets.
1:45 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. Next Steps – The Impact of your Voice! Fiona Bond, President, Texans for the Arts Board of Directors
2:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Legislative Visits Meet with your Texas Senator and Representative or their staff and share our collective Agenda for the 88th and your stories about the impact of the arts in your community/their district!
Texas State Capitol, Legislative Offices
TFAF staff will pre-schedule office visits with attendee’s respective legislators and include that information in attendees’ packets.
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Closing Reception & Happy Hour for Advocates
Omni Hotel, Downtown Austin
Address: 700 San Jacinto At, E 8th St, Austin, TX 78701
Special room block at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown
We are pleased to offer a special room block at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown for attendees of Texas Arts Advocacy Day 2025.
700 San Jacinto at 8th Street, Austin, TX 78701
Room Block Dates: February 4 – 6, 2025
Special Rate: $309 per night (plus applicable taxes)
Reservation Deadline: January 15, 2025
Booking Instructions:
Reserve Online: Click the link below to access our dedicated reservation page and secure your room at the special rate.
Reserve by Phone: Call the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown at 1-800-THE-OMNI (1-800-843-6664).
Mention "Texas Arts Advocacy Day 2025" to receive the group rate.
We encourage you to book your accommodations early to ensure availability.
For more details about the hotel and its amenities, visit the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown website.
We look forward to seeing you at Texas Arts Advocacy Day 2025!
Please note: The special room rate is available until January 25, 2025, or until the room block is fully booked, whichever comes first.