Dance/USA is a national co-sponsor of Arts Advocacy Day 2012 in Washington, DC. Each year, the two-day event unites hundreds of artists, arts administrators, advocates and students from across the country to discuss, explore, and ultimately take action in support of federal arts policy. Facilitated by Americans for the Arts and co-sponsored by almost one hundred national organizations, Arts Advocacy Day empowers arts advocates and brings their voices to the halls of Congress each year.

The Nancy Hanks Lecture Series at the Kennedy Center coincides with Arts Advocacy Day as an exciting and important event on cultural policy. Alec Baldwin will offer this year's lecture. (Past presenters have included Robert Redford, Kevin Spacey, Daniel Pink, William Safire, Robert MacNeil, and Jane Alexander.)

Visit the Americans for the Arts’ website to learn more about Arts Advocacy Day, the Nancy Hanks Lecture, and to register for the event.

As a national co-sponsor, Dance/USA participates in the Legislative Planning Committee to draft annual legislative issue briefs on a variety of arts policy topics. Below is the complete list of issue briefs that arts advocates will be advocating in support of this year.

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA): Promoting Creativity and Public Access to the Arts

Funding the Arts in Education Program at the U.S. Department of Education: Improving Access to Arts Education for All Students

Strengthening Arts Education in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act: Helping Children Achieve in School, Work, and Life

Tax Reform: Encouraging Charitable Gifts to Support the Arts in Our Communities

Cultural Exchanges Through the U.S. Department of State: Strengthening Ties Between the United States and the World

Supporting Public and Community Media

Arts in Health: Strengthening Our Nation's Health Through the Arts

Tax Fairness for Artists and Writers: Creating America's Artistic Heritage

Office of Museum Services (OMS): Promoting Lifelong Learning and Protecting Our National Heritage

Issues of Concern

• Improving the Visa Process for Foreign Guest Artists at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
• National Service and the Arts
• Network Neutrality
• Copyright and Technology
• Federal Communications Commission: Protecting Performing Arts Technology
• Transportation Enhancements