Participate in advocacy in response to the Governor’s budget announcement

Register for the Captain’s Info Session to learn how to lead meetings with state lawmakers

Get to know your elected officials - Research their interests, committees, and what is important to them. Strategize how the arts align with and/or could serve your elected officials’ priorities.

Look for CAA’s Governor’s race candidate platform and provide your feedback through a survey

Look for announcements from CA Arts Advocates on state bills that have been introduced this legislative cycle

Ask your city or county to recognize April as Arts, Culture & Creativity Month with a proclamation - use the CA for the Arts Proclamation Toolkit on our website

Attend and make public comment at the February California Arts Council meeting to put your ideas about what the field need on public record with the state.

Call/email three friends and ask them to help in future advocacy efforts.

Plan an Arts Culture & Creativity Month event for April

Check in with our colleagues at Create CA to see what they have in store for Arts Education Month

Visit CA for the Arts 2026 Election webpage for resources to get your community involved in powerbuilding for the arts

Sign onto CA Arts Advocates’ Governor’s Race Platform for Arts and Culture and share with your network

Download the ACCM social media toolkit and share weekly posts to amplify the impact of arts, culture and creativity in California

Join us in Sacramento for the CA Arts & Culture Summit

Attend CA for the Arts “Get Ready To Advocate” webinar to learn about the state policy priorities and budget advocacy

Meet with your state lawmakers on Arts Advocacy Day at the Capitol. Or meet with them in-district during Spring Recess.

Participate in CAA action alerts in response to the Governor's May Revise and share with your network.

Thank your legislators for attending your events and/or meeting with you during April and invite them to your summer events

Share the outcomes of your lawmaker meetings and proclamations with CA Arts Advocates!

Check your voter registration status at My Voter Status

June 2 - Vote in the California Primary

Watch for ongoing action alerts and communications from CAA and share with your networks to urge your legislators to support the arts.

Participate in your local government’s budget process, and make a plan to advocate.

Identify legislators who are arts champions and invite them to be honored at an upcoming event.

Use the CA for the Arts 2026 Election Toolkit to help organize an Arts Vote Candidate Forum for your local election.

Send a thank you note to your legislator if they voted in support of any arts funding or legislation.

Schedule a meeting with your U.S. Congress representative while they are in-district.

Organize an arts advocate meet-up in your community. A potluck, happy hour or strategy session will help build local networks. Reach out to Tracy@caforthearts.org for ideas or contact lists

Plan an event to celebrate the California Arts Day on October 2 (first Friday in October) and invite your elected official to attend.

Make sure all of your elected officials and/or district staff people are on your mailing list for invitations to your events. Send them press releases about your organization, and if applicable, send them a thank you for any publicly-funded grant that you received (local, state or federal).

Attend CA Arts Advocates’ Fall Virtual Rally and reach out to your state legislator to schedule a meeting when they are in-district September-December.

Attend and make public comment at the September California Arts Council meeting to put on public record with the state about what the field needs.

Sign up to track your ballot at Where’s My Ballot?

Make a plan to vote and share the “Get Out The Vote” campaign with your network

Send a note to your U.S. Congress representative in celebration of National Arts and Humanities Month and share the value and impact of the arts on your community

Write and submit an Op Ed for your local paper about how the arts impacts your community

Attend and make public comment at the October California Arts Council meeting to put your ideas about what the field need on public record with the state.

November 3 - VOTE!

Add your legislators to your holiday card list and invite them to your winter events

Schedule a meeting with your state lawmakers in December, when they are on recess and in-district. Email Tracy@caforthearts.org for info on training and resources.

Research your local officials, find something they accomplished, then send a congratulatory note

Honor your state or local officials as an arts champion during your winter events

Attend a City Council or County Board of Supervisors Meeting to learn more about local priorities and make public comment to the impact of arts and culture in their communities