Make Your Case

Know Your Platform and Lead with Arts and Humanities-Inclusive Language: Whenever other industries are mentioned such as hospitality, restaurants and hotels, the arts and humanities must be included in that discussion and thought process for an equitable recovery. Review Our Platform Here | Familiarize yourself with intersectionality data and examples from the Arts + Social Impact Explorer HERE.

Make it personal: When talking to local elected officials, tell your story with passion, evocative anecdotes, and solid data. Give examples of your need

Know your reach: How many people did your programs impact before Covid-19? How has that changed? How were you providing impact throughout the pandemic? How many visitors does your website garner each month? Each year? How will you overcome current challenges? What will you do with emergency funds? Why are they needed at your organization?

Understand your value: Be prepared to tell your legislators how you are meeting the needs of Montgomery County’s residents and visitors in their districts. Highlight how many children, seniors, adults, residents with disabilities, and/or tourists you serve. Talk about the value you bring to the county, their district, and your immediate community.

Present your impact: Realize the economic impact of your organization and how you will help the county-wide economic recovery. Use the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 Calculator from AFTA to frame your comments within the larger Montgomery County economic impact study HEREnoting that the data reflects a pre-pandemic economy.