Daniel Reichert
NYSDEA Advocacy Director 2015-2018
Shares his experience from the United States Capitol on Arts Advocacy Day during his term.
Americans for the Arts Arts Advocacy Day was a huge success. NYSDEA sent three representatives to make sure that dance education in New York is being considered by lawmakers and recognized by other arts organizations across the nation. Over 500 people showed up to lobby for the arts, including more than 70 national partners. Members of NYSDEA were seen in over 15 congressional offices and the senate, where we advocated on behalf of dance education and arts funding in general. The specific points asked for included re-branding STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) to STEAM, the new A standing for Art!
We also asked for increased funding to the NEA, reauthorizing the Every Student Succeeds Act to replace No Child Left Behind and support for charitable deductions, which are a great source of revenue for arts organizations. Members also had opportunities to share stories of how dance and dance education made a positive impact on their lives and communities.
NYSDEA was invited to the White House for a press briefing on the state of the Arts in the US. The first thing at the conference was a showing of this clip (see below) marking dance as important to this administration. The general trend had been decreased funding to arts and education, though through lobbying and a better understanding of the importance of art to our culture, the administration is interested in changing that trend. While arts education in general and dance specifically are still in need of greater recognition for the benefits we provide, some serious steps were made at Advocacy Day.
Daniel Reichert
NYSDEA Advocacy Director 2015-2018
Taking action in New York State
Get involved! Join NYSDEA to keep informed about critical issues and campaigns that affect dance education and arts in New York State as well as nationally. Both the State Senate and State Assembly have legislative committees devoted to arts education.
The following websites list the members of the committee and has links to help find your designated assembly member.
Our senators and assembly members are key to the development of state arts policies.
Find your Representatives Many of them have social media platforms!
Write to them about your concerns for arts access and arts funding.
Add them to your mailing list and tell them about what is happening in your community.
Invite them to formal and informal events.
Check the committee websites regularly to find out what legislation or actions are being proposed at your local or state level.
Get involved! Join NYSDEA to keep informed about critical issues and campaigns that affect dance education and arts in New York State as well as nationally. Both the State Senate and State Assembly have legislative committees devoted to arts education.
The following websites list the members of the committee and has links to help find your designated assembly member.
Our senators and assembly members are key to the development of state arts policies.
Find your Representatives Many of them have social media platforms!
Write to them about your concerns for arts access and arts funding.
Add them to your mailing list and tell them about what is happening in your community.
Invite them to formal and informal events.
Check the committee websites regularly to find out what legislation or actions are being proposed at your local or state level.
Proposed New York State Arts Education Bills
NYSDEA represents dance arts education on the following councils.
- New York State Alliance for Arts Education
- New York State Council of Educational Associations
