ArtsVote 2020
Adopted at the 87th Annual Meeting in 2019
WHEREAS, The United States Conference of Mayors and Americans for the Arts Action Fund will be hosting events and workshops in Iowa, New Hampshire and other early primary states to engage presidential candidates, educate voters, and bring national media attention to arts policy issues in these early primary and caucus states; and
WHEREAS, The United States Conference of Mayors, Americans for the Arts Action Fund, and NAMM: National Association of Music Merchants will be partnering again in 2020 to produce educational arts policy forums entitled ARTSspeak, which will feature mayors, governors, congresspeople, CEOs, and arts leaders at both political conventions:
- On July 13-16, 2020, we will present ARTSspeak forums during the DNC convention in Milwaukee.
- On August 24-27, 2020, we will present ARTSspeak forums during the RNC convention in Charlotte; and
WHEREAS, The United States Conference of Mayors has consistently been a strong advocate for the arts through its annual policy resolutions, programs, and initiatives, and;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors, as previously adopted in 2016, urges the next President of the United States and the delegates voting on their party's policy platforms to adopt the following positions:
- Fund the National Endowment of the Arts at a minimum rate of $1 per capita (an increase from 47 cents per capita).
- Establish a cabinet level position for the arts and culture to advise the President of the United States on such matters as it impacts the economy, diplomacy, education, and the overall well-being of its citizens and the nation at large.
- Recognize the integral value of arts education (music, dance, theatre, visual arts, and media arts) in creating a well-rounded education for every student to succeed and expanding STEM education into STEAM with the arts.
- Develop national service opportunities for an Artists Corps.
- Restore an across-the-board charitable donation tax deduction to ALL taxpayers, not just those in the higher income brackets who itemize their deductions.