Arts Day on the Hill

So what is Arts Day on the Hill?

It is a new initiative by NAVA, funded by a generous philanthropist, to provide an annual focus on national advocacy that fosters effective, long term policy outcomes for the arts. With an aim to strengthen the arts through ambitious policy, Arts Day on the Hill is an important element of NAVA’s strategy to build long term relationships across Parliament. The program brought a diverse group of practitioners together for a series of conversations and workshops around advocacy, allowing us to determine priorities and key messages. We discussed and strategised the different approaches necessary to achieve good advocacy and had a game plan for our two days of back to back meetings with MPs. Arts Day on the Hill was also used as a platform to launch the new Parliamentary Friendship Group for Contemporary Art and Culture, which was celebrated with a special function at Parliament House.

We talked arts advocacy at a regional, national and international level with generous arts leaders, we shared stories of each of our states and territories, and some of the unique challenges we are each facing. We benefited from an introductory session on the machinery of government, attended several sessions of Question Time and toured the Parliament House collection store with Director Justine van Mourik.

I brought all my knowledge of the sector and conversations I’ve had with South Australian practitioners into these discussions. And in return I want to share my observations and learnings.

• There is power in being seen. To be heard you need to be in the conversation.
• Being on the ground in Canberra for these conversations builds credibility.
• The level of literacy in contemporary art and culture is relatively low. But there is curiosity, positivity and interest – as practitioners we are seen as novel, interesting and engaging. Everyone has their own story. Art connects.
• The power of personal, individual advocacy through letters, phone calls, emails to the MP of your local electorate have more impact than you think. Your voice will be heard and the process ensures you will get a response. (Chain campaigns don’t achieve the same level of traction)
• It is important to have a consistent, clear message to communicate – individual storytelling in a national context is compelling.
• There is great value in the simplicity of having three key points to communicate and a concise summary to leave behind.
• Follow-up – share invitations, relevant invitations, photos create opportunities to maintain a meaningful dialogue.
• There are other avenues other than the Arts Portfolio – we need to think strategically about who else we can enlist across different portfolios and parties.
• Parliament House is a strange, strange bubble.
• Everyone we met with spoke about their reverence for the Parliament House Collection; the art in the building is a powerful advocacy tool in itself.
• The new Parliamentary Friendship Group has reach across parties and was received with interest.
• Advocacy workshopping and training is something we all need more of.