Advocacy

Advocacy is speaking up for something you believe in. At CBCA, we believe that art is smart for business; that the creative industries are essential to Colorado’s economic prosperity; and that cultural vibrancy strengthens community vitality.

Together, we can ensure that arts, culture and the creative industries are valued and supported by policymakers and voters, resulting in economically vibrant, healthy, and equitable communities throughout our state.

CBCA engages in ongoing community education, research, network building, grassroots mobilization and direct lobbying to advance this vision at a local, state and federal level.

Colorado’s Arts Policy Framework

Unveiled in November 2024, Colorado’s Arts Policy Framework is a compilation of diverse perspectives on the value and potential of our state’s creative community. It is intended to provide a coordinated, intentional and inclusive advocacy voice and roadmap for Colorado’s arts & culture sector. Learn more about the values, priorities and strategies in Colorado’s Arts Policy Framework.

What CBCA Does:

• Mobilize a grassroots platform to advocate directly for the arts, culture and creative industries through Colorado Arts Action Network
• Publish a biennial report on the financial and social impact of arts & culture in the Denver metro area. Learn more about the Economic Activity Study
• Develop, strategize and implement policy initiatives informed by Colorado’s Arts Policy Framework. CBCA led the creation of this Framework, including over a year of community input gathering.  Learn more about Colorado’s Arts Policy Framework
• Engage a standing Policy Committee to steward CBCA’s advocacy agenda and lobbying strategies during Colorado’s legislative session
• Facilitate a statewide network of business and civic leaders who support the arts. Learn more about the Colorado Cultural Champions
• Convene the Colorado Arts Caucus, comprised of state legislators from the House and Senate who support the arts in order to keep them informed on important topics and policy priorities in the arts, cultural and creative sector.
• Participate in national coalitions focused on state-level and federal arts advocacy and capacity building, such as the Creative States Coalition, Creative West’s Western Arts Action Network and Americans for the Arts’ State Arts Advocacy Captains Network.
• Present to community groups on arts and business partnerships, arts advocacy in Colorado, and why art is smart for business. Contact main@cbca.org to inquire about scheduling presentation.
• Feature a monthly Advocacy section in the member newsletter, Inside Track. Learn more about CBCA Membership.