ADVOCACY

Image of children creating art
Image of children creating art

Fighting for a Stronger Creative Ohio

Ohio’s creatives are integral to the Buckeye State, making it a special place to live, work, visit, and raise a family. The creative industries in Ohio account for more than $55 billion to our state’s economy, employ over 330,000 Ohioans, and generate nearly $4.5 billion in federal, state, and local taxes.

We need your help speaking out about our creative community’s importance in making Ohio a vibrant, creative, and innovative capital. To make it easy, we put together a toolkit you’ll find below. You’ll find useful research, social media campaigns, and downloadable graphics that will help strengthen your voice and make you a stronger advocate.

ADVOCACY TOOLKIT

Our Advocacy Toolkit provides research, data, and resources to help educate advocates and equip them with the necessary tools to fight on behalf of arts and culture in Ohio.

An Advocacy 101 guide that covers a range of topics, including an overview of the legislative process, details on how a bill becomes a law, how to find your legislator and amplify your influence, tips for meeting your legislator, key talking points, and a legislative glossary.

» Download the Advocacy 101 Primer

A one-stop guide to help you make informed decisions at the ballot box. Americans for the Arts Action Fund used metrics and analysis based on previous congressional voting records, sponsorship of key arts legislation, and participation in the cultural caucuses.

» Download the Report Card

Contact your Ohio Legislator

A list of Arts Policy staffers and contact information for Ohio’s 15 Representatives and 2 Senators. Often, a legislative aide or staffer is the best person to contact as they have expertise in a particular issue or field and can communicate directly with the elected official.

» Download the list of Staffers

Americans for the Arts’ fifth study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry’s impact on the economy. It documents the economic contributions of the arts in 341 diverse communities and regions across the country, representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This study puts to rest a misconception that communities support arts and culture at the expense of local economic development. In fact, communities invest in an industry that supports jobs, generates government revenue, and is the cornerstone of tourism.

» Download the Prosperity Study

The entire Ohio Creative Economy report was commissioned in 2021 by Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation and regional partners; ArtsinStark, ArtsNow, ArtsWave, Assembly for the Arts, Culture Works, Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, Greater Columbus Arts Council, The Arts Commission, Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber; in collaboration with Bowling Green State University and the Center for Regional Development.

» Download the Ohio Creative Economy Report

Important talking points for the arts sector that can be a valuable template for your arts advocacy work, including Economic Impact on the Arts, COVID-19 Impact on the Arts, and recommended action items and talking points.

  • CreativeOhio is the only statewide advocacy organization for creatives, arts organizations, and the performance community.
  • CreativeOhio relentlessly supports the impact of Ohio’s creatives: emotionally, educationally, and economically.
  • CreativeOhio’s mission is to enrich our communities, citizens, and culture through constant advocacy and relentless support of Ohio creatives and the creative economy.
  • CreativeOhio is a membership-based organization that works together to advance creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship throughout Ohio.

ACTION CENTER

The Creative Industries are a key economic driver in Ohio, supporting 330,000 jobs and contributing $55 billion to the pre-pandemic gross state product. Despite being an essential part of the economy, this vital sector has been disproportionately impacted compared to other major industries.

A new report quantifies this in stark numbers: Between 2019 and 2020, creative industry employment declined by over 41,000 (-12.63%), while total creative industry economic output fell by over $8.6 billion (-15.74%).

Investments in Ohio’s creative industry will create thousands of jobs, add to state and local tax revenues, and serve underserved communities through education, health, and wellness programs. Such investments also support other sectors that benefit from increased travel and tourism.

Action Alerts

We Can’t Do It Without You

When it comes to creatives and the creative economy, your voice matters. Your elected officials depend on you to help them learn about the complicated issues they will be asked to support or oppose. They cannot be an expert on everything, so they turn to you as a resource and expert in your field.

Let your voice be heard. You can be an effective arts advocate. As one, we can make a difference for the arts.

With CreativeOhio’s Action Center, you can look up a legislator or a bill as well as participate in key advocacy campaigns through Action Alerts.

Data Center

Our Data Center is your hub to find the latest data and resources to energize your efforts in establishing creativity as a core economic driver.