Dear Colleagues,

Over the last several months we have significantly accelerated our efforts to educate the community and opinion leaders about the critical need to invest in arts and culture throughout Arizona.  Thank you for dedicating yourself to this important cause, and for participating in this endeavor to move our state and the creative cluster forward.

You have been so instrumental in generating tremendous interest and support, and it is inspiring to witness the arts and culture community joining together to identify potential solutions.

As you know, we have conducted dozens of community and business leader meetings throughout the state drawing attention to our valuable creative assets, and calling for action to enhance and expand the resources we have available to transform our economy.  Through these meetings and numerous hours of hard work, we were able to engage over a thousand arts and culture organizations and representatives, and developed meaningful language with the hopes of qualifying for the 2010 ballot.

With your help, our research also included thorough polling and survey work to track our viability as the election cycle draws nearer.  Up until this point, our feasibility appeared optimistic and encouraging to move forward.  Our research continues to confirm that a dedicated funding source for arts and culture is still favored by 2/3rds of Arizonans.

However, the research also suggests that in the midst of the state budget crisis citizens are confused on what to do as an important first step. That reality combined with our most recent survey work has indicated that success is unlikely in 2010.  As a result we have concluded we need to look toward the future in 2012.

In the meantime, we will persist in educating opinion leaders and the community about the tremendous benefits that can be reaped from investing in arts and culture, and we hope you will continue to help us drive this fight.  Thank you for your continued support and assistance.  We are grateful for the countless hours of hard work you extended on behalf of this noble attempt to set a new and innovative foundation for Arizona to prosper.

Sincerely,

Myra Millinger
President and CEO
Metro Phoenix Partnership for Arts & Culture

January 27, 2010

Every member of our community deserves to have opportunities to discover and enjoy a diversity of arts and culture offerings. Access to the arts for individuals and families depends on community support and action.

Fortunately, there is a great deal you can do to help, and most of it is fun! Here are some ideas of how to get involved and help keep arts and culture a vital piece of our quality of life.

• Attend an event - visit ShowUp.com to find the surprising variety of offerings available every week in the Phoenix, Tucson and Flagstaff areas.
• Take a child to a museum, the zoo or a live performance for kids.
• Encourage your employees to attend and support arts and culture organizations and events.
• Volunteer your time and skills. Most nonprofit arts and culture groups depend on volunteers to help carry on their missions. Need ideas? Check out the Arts & Business Council for information.
• Advocate for arts education experiences for young people.
• Advocate to your peers nationwide that Metro Phoenix is emerging as a worldclass, 21st Century region.
• Integrate arts and culture support in your company’s business plan.
• Sign up for the MPAC eNewsletter to stay informed on MPAC’s activities.
• Use your influence to ensure that your elected officials understand the critical business case for a vibrant and sustainable arts and culture community.
• Sign up at Arizona Citizens for the Arts for information and updates on legislation that impacts the arts and cultural sector.
• Register to vote and sign up for the permanent vote-by-mail option.
• Support efforts to secure funding for the region’s non-profit arts and culture organizations.
• Speak up for arts and culture as a vital piece of our economic prosperity and infrastructure.
• Share your thoughts and ideas at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Published as an Arizona Republic "My Turn", November 7,2009.

Myra Millinger, President & CEO, Metro Phoenix Partnership for Arts and Culture
Steve Betts, President, SunCor Development Co., Chair of Metro Phoenix DNA Initiative

The recent release of the The Arizona We Want” report by the Center for the Future of Arizona adds to a growing body of research that supports our state’s urgent need for economic diversification, job creation and expanded social/cultural offerings.

One of the strategies that is vital to be competitive in the global war for talent and industry is to nurture, grow and support the creative economy.  The most prosperous regions over the long term are those with an extensive pool of creative talent in the arts, sciences, engineering and business. Investing in a strong creative cluster has proven to be transformational in competing cities such as Austin, Denver, Seattle, Portland and San Diego. These regions understand the need for this investment and have acted on it.