Tips for Communicators —
Framing Your Ask for American Rescue Plan Funding
When writing about or explaining your idea for American Rescue Plan funds, it’s good to keep focus on the recovery goals of the plan.
People expect public funds to provide a public benefit. We all know the arts do that — and for this audience (decision-makers, other citizens) it will be really critical to talk about the public benefit.
Of course, it’s OK to talk about creative approaches and how the arts sector has been impacted by COVID, but don’t lead with the sympathy story. It’s hard for people to believe it (a longer term problem we have to address) and they will ignore your pitch if it doesn’t make sense to them.
Instead, when we lead with a narrative about the goals of the funding entity (local government, federal agency, school board, etc.) and show how arts and artists contribute to recovery, people will understand, BECAUSE THEY ALREADY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS TRUE. It’s just not their natural way of thinking about the arts. We have to headline outcomes, so they hear and support the rest of our proposal.
Ask yourself:
- Did we lead with how we can assist with meeting city/county/neighborhood goals for relief and recovery?
- Did we offer to expand or start a model program?
- Did we describe how artists can make places and processes more healthy and equitable?
- Did we use an additive, strength frame and avoid the ‘sympathy’ framing?
- When writing/talking about need for jobs, re-employment for artists -
- Focus on what artists can offer the community
- What artists offer uniquely
- Align artists with other workers—artists are part of the large economy of gig workers
- Employing all gig workers helps our economy improve, when there are jobs that pay enough for the basics, people spend on food, clothing, repairs, and support the local economy
- Don’t just talk about losses and need for $$ (the sympathy frame)
- Focusing on dire need is overwhelming and feels unsolvable
- The public doesn’t generally see art as a basic need or public good, deserving of public funds
- Talk instead about recovery, and how creative approaches add value
- Leave data out of your opening
- Use data as backup for the narrative, it’s not the narrative
- Data is not persuasive—it is ignored or twisted to support the listener’s views
- Best used with those who need it/expect it (elected officials in private meetings)
- Most people don’t have a broad idea of art or what artists can do
- Offer concrete examples using different art forms and artist roles.
- For example, artists can
- Develop a process that includes people who aren’t coming to meetings or other events
- Support vaccination events by making them fun and friendly
- Create welcoming and unique physical distancing markers for local businesses in their community
- Bring people together safely with public art performances like music or dance or other performances in a park
- Amplify advocate calls for housing assistance with chalk art or murals
- Conduct interviews of employers and create beautiful and educational videos or written narratives
- Document recovery events and infrastructure
Margy Waller