On Thursday, July 27th, national, state and local arts leaders from seven states shared their stories and the results from their AEP5 economic impact studies. They were joined by our Artist Committee member and recording artist Ben Folds, an arts advocate and member of the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.         (L-R) RANDY COHEN, VICE-PRESIDENT OF RESEARCH AND POLICY, AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS; ROBERT LYNCH, PRESIDENT AND CEO, AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS & ARTS ACTION FUND; TOM WERDER OF NEW JERSEY; RECORDING ARTIST BEN FOLDS; WAYNE ANDREWS OF MISSISSIPPI; DAN BOWERS OF TENNESSEE; JULIE RICHARD OF MAINE, MAYOR ALISON SILBERBERG OF ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA; AND TOM BENSEN OF MONTANA. NOT PICTURED:ALEXIS HILL OF NEVADA ALSO PARTICIPATED. Congressman Leonard Lance (R-NJ), co-chair of the bi-partison Congressional Arts Caucus, spoke of the economic importance of the arts, commenting that "investing in the arts makes smart economic and fiscal sense." CONGRESSMAN LEONARD LANCE (R-NJ), CO-CHAIR, CONGRESSIONAL ARTS CAUCUS. Mayor Allison Silberberg of Alexandria, VA, attended the briefing to represent both her city of Alexandria and The United States Conference of Mayors. The Conference of Mayors has endorsed the Arts and Economic Prosperity 5 report findings, and unanimously passed a policy resolution to urge Congress to increase funding for the NEA to $155 million.  MAYOR ALLISON SILBERBERG OF ALEXANDRIA, VA. Musician Ben Folds spoke about the power of the arts to educate, inspire, and heal. He highlighted how artistic and creative thinking are necessary for businesses and the economy to succeed.   Arts advocates were also able to meet with their representatives while in D.C.         TOM WERDER OF NJ MET WITH THE CHAIRMAN  OF THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE RODNEY FRELINGHUYSENN (R-NJ 11). WAYNE ANDREWS OF MS MET WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE THAD COCHRAN (R-MS).     On July 18, 2017, a group of upstate New York arts advocates led by Naj Wikoff met with STEAM Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan’s chief policy advisor Cynthia Herrle. Advocates urged the Members to increase arts funding for the NEA, NEH, and Corporation for Public Broadcasting by sharing personal stories and demonstrating how federal support for the arts impacts individual lives.  Herrle said she has confidence in the Senate further increasing NEA/NEH funding by $5 million. The advocates also met with staff from the offices of Senators Kristen Gillibrand andChuck Schumer (both D-NY). These meetings demonstrate bi-partisan support for the arts, and the need for dialogue about the arts across the aisle. CONGRESSWOMAN ELISE STEFANIK (CENTER) WITH UPSTATE NEW YORK ARTS ADVOCATES.   Join These Arts Advocates to #SAVEtheNEA!                                  You can join us in our fight for the NEA by making a contribution to the Arts Action Fund.                                         Please continue to make your voice heard by taking two minutes to send letters to your Representatives and Senators.   Thank you, Nina Ozlu Tunceli Executive Director, Arts Action Fund     privacy policy | unsubscribe