Capitol Day
On Wednesday, April 30, join Arts Alliance as we head back to Springfield to advocate for the needs of the creative community at our annual Capitol Day.
Representative Camille Y. Lilly with arts advocate Camille Wilson-White during our 2024 Capitol Day.
Event Description
Every spring, arts and culture advocates from across Illinois come together to champion key issues that impact the larger creative community in Illinois while advancing the specific needs of their communities. This year, Capitol Day will take place on April 30 and offer creatives a chance to connect with their legislators, Arts Alliance staff, and other advocates from across the state.
What We're Advocating For
This year, our main priority is to communicate to legislators the importance of protecting arts funding in the Governor’s proposed budget. Governor Pritzker has recommended that the State preserve the historic gains made in last year’s budget.
Our advocacy work falls into the following three pillars:
Increase Public Funding for the Arts
Match the state’s stature as the 5th largest creative economy with the 5th largest public investment in direct state-level support to cultural organizations and artists in America. Develop new and innovative intergovernmental pathways for creatives to access resources.
Ensure Arts Education for all K-12 Students in Illinois
Position Illinois as the most supportive state for arts education in the nation by ensuring that all Illinois K-12 students – regardless of their race, zip code, or income – have access to high-quality arts learning during the school day and beyond.
Move Creative Workers from Surviving to Thriving
Position Illinois as the destination for creative entrepreneurs and the creative workforce by increasing the number of artists and creatives who are working and thriving in Illinois.
Participant Selection
Due to capacity limitations, we are only able to invite 50 advocates to join us in Springfield this year. Our top priority is including folks whose issues are most urgently aligned with what we’re advocating for and who represent a variety of disciplines and legislative districts across the state.
Fill out the form below to express interest in joining this year’s cohort. If selected, you are expected to attend!
Interest form deadline: Thursday, March 13 at 5pm.
Note: This is an interest form and not a guarantee! Your participation is not confirmed until we reach back out to you with a confirmation. If you fill this form out you are telling us that you’re available and can travel to Springfield. Please keep the date blocked until we reach back out to you by the week of March 17.
