CreativeOhio, the state's main arts advocacy group, is launching a program to teach arts leaders to grab a seat at the table when it comes to public policy and funding.
"Historically the creative sector has not done a great job of educating our leaders in really how to fully grab their seat at the table when it comes to public policy changes and public funding,” said Sarah Sisser, CEO of CreativeOhio. “The idea of advocacy is somewhat foreign to many of these organizations.”
Ohio arts and culture has received strong bipartisan support, including historically high funding in the last two state budget cycles, Sisser said. Other states, however, have recently seen serious cuts to funding. Sisser pointed to Florida, where Gov. Ron DeSantis cut $32 million in arts funding from the state budget last year.
"We want to be ahead of the curve and making sure that our leaders within the sector understand and own advocacy,” Sisser said.
So, CreativeOhio is starting an Advocacy Leadership Institute.
Around 20 arts administrators and industry leaders from around the state will meet in-person once a month from May to October. They'll learn about state budgets, access to public funding, and building relationships with legislators.
Sisser said since no standard curriculum for arts advocacy currently exists, CreativeOhio is creating the curriculum from scratch with the help of a think tank.
The program is funded for the next three years, Sisser said.
“And in that time, we hope to have a sort of small army of anywhere from 60 to 100 arts administrators that are well versed in our local government, in state government decisions, in the legislative process, in policies that affect the creative sector,” Sisser said.
CreativeOhio is accepting applications to the program through Feb. 14. Tuition is $1,500, but some scholarships are available.
Sisser said the state’s creative sector – which includes visual artists, museums, performing arts, heritage tourism and more – employs around 150,000 people and represents about 3% of the state’s gross domestic product.
“Beyond economic impact, the arts and culture have a huge impact on community well-being and community vibrancy, on bringing businesses and sustaining business within the state of Ohio,” said Sisser. “So you really can’t overstate the positive implications and impact of arts and culture within our state.”
