Texas Arts Advocacy Day is on Wednesday, February 5, 2025!
Attending TAAD25? Check out everything you need to know with our TAAD25 Guide
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.
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 31, 2025.
However, after January 31st, you may still register and there will be room for you to attend and join in the full sessions!
Texans for the Arts is committed to ensuring that all voices are heard in our advocacy efforts. The suggested registration level for Arts Advocacy Day is $50, which helps cover program costs and event logistics. However, we recognize that financial barriers should not prevent participation.
We offer a pay-what-you-can option to ensure that everyone who wants to advocate for the arts has the opportunity to do so. Whether you contribute the suggested amount or another level that works for you, your presence and voice are what matter most.
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.
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. - 2:00 p.m. - Grab Lunch at the Capitol Grill or nearby Restaurants / Gather with your co-constituents and plan for your visits!
2:00 p.m. - 5:30 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.
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