As delegates for the Pulitzer, practicum student Claire Wolff, local artist Courtney Henson, and I drove to Jefferson City last Wednesday, February 11. It was Missouri Citizens for the Arts’ (MCA) “Citizens’ Day at the Legislature,” a day in which Missourians were encouraged by the MCA to join them at the capitol and talk to Congress about funding the arts.

We arrived and followed a cluster of people to the registration tables, where we received folders of advocate materials, including a map of the capitol, a General Assembly directory, a list of Missouri Arts Council 2008 grants, and a sheet with the MCA’s 2010 agenda.

After leaving a few packets of Pulitzer information at legislators’ offices, our trio got situated in the rotunda for a welcome from the president of the MCA, Tracy M. King. She gave suggestions on talking to our legislators. Talking of Governor Jay Nixon’s State of the State Address, she was hopeful about his recommendation to maintain the $10.8 million core for the Missouri Cultural Trust–although the MCA would like funding increased by $7.62 million.

We were asked to be mindful of the economic crunch but to still ask for more money.

“If we don’t, someone will,” said King.

At noon, the Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra played to visitors under the dome, illustrating how art beautifies our lives and creates a sense of community. Courtney, Claire, and I travelled the hallways, looking at room numbers and dropping off more packets. Congress was in session, so we weren’t able to meet with as many Senators or Representatives as we would have liked.

The first Representative we talked to was Republican Mike Cunningham, who was sympathetic to our cause but asked if we would settle for the current funding not being cut. Courtney talked about the power of art to revitalize neighborhoods, and Claire pointed out that art education improves test scores in other subjects. Funding the arts “isn’t just funding art for art’s sake,” as Claire said. It contributes heavily to other parts of society.

We met with my Democratic Representative Rachel Storch. She is on the Missouri Arts Council and already a proponent for the arts–not a very hard sell.

Although Storch already supports the arts, it was important for her to see a constituent advocating. It’s certainly easier to sign an online petition, but making ourselves physically present at the capitol gives extra weight to our requests as citizens.

In addition, it was exciting to feel the the bustle of the capitol and the camaraderie of activists.