In just under four weeks, advocates from all across the nation will come together in Washington, DC, to engage in a discussion with their colleagues and elected officials about the course of arts funding at the federal, state, and local levels.

While the event takes place at roughly the same time each year, advocates will have the unique opportunity of speaking with their members of Congress while two budget debates are occurring. The government is still deadlocked on a solution that can permanently resolve the budget for Fiscal Year 2011, while simultaneously trying to approve a budget for Fiscal Year 2012.  

Broad anti-spending sentiments can be found anywhere one looks in the United States, and there already have been several attempts (or actual cuts) to cut funding for the NEA, NEH, public broadcasting, and crucial arts education programs.

As advocates, this means we definitely have our work cut out for us.

However, the palpable uncertainty among our elected officials about the proper financial course to steer the country presents us with a great opportunity to inject our voices into the debate right at the time these decisions need to be made.

We are all well-versed in the fiscal impact and quality of life arguments that make the arts a wonderful solution to a wide variety of socio-economic challenges. Now, as our Representatives and Senators look for answers to these problems, we can help provide them.

The 24th Annual Arts Advocacy Day will kick off with the Nancy Hanks Lecture on Arts and Public Policy on the evening of Monday, April 4. For a full schedule of events, click here.

Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey will deliver this year's lecture, and will join all-star arts advocates Alec Baldwin, Kerry Washington, and many others in events throughout the two-day event.

Registration is still open, but the deadline for early, discounted registration is Monday, March 21. Housing and transportation information can be found here.

For more information on Arts Advocacy Day and other related events, visit the official Arts Advocacy Day Facebook page.

Please consider joining us (in person or virtually through social media) in making a statement that the arts and arts education will not be cut or eliminated without a fight.