Get Involved

DAA’s Bill Tracker compiles information related to creative economy legislation, such as sponsors and automatic status updates. We also add in a blurb of why these policies are important to the arts and a link to any DAA resources that help you better understand these pieces of legislation.  

Why? Creative economy policies directly impact the work of our local artist communities. From arts education, industry support, funding, and more, DAA’s Bill Tracker helps keep you updated on what’s happening at Legislative Hall, offering a one-stop solution to see what you may want to get involved with or monitor.   

How: Visit Quorum | Best-in-Class Public Affairs Software 

Advocacy campaigns make contacting your legislators easy! Using our templates as guides, you can easily look up who your elected officials, send or customize a pre-drafted message, and help make your voice heard regarding creative economy policies.  

Why? Messages from constituents (residents of elected officials’ districts) are one of the most valuable advocacy tools. In hearing your perspective and input, elected officials can better understand your needs, concerns, and how to best support your work and the creative community as a whole.

How: View active campaigns Americans for the Arts Inc | Delaware Arts Alliance 

The Arts & Culture Caucus meets at least twice a year, bringing together legislators and members of the public to discuss relevant policies that support Delaware’s creative economy and the importance of the arts and culture in Delaware.

Why? By coming to Legislative Hall to attend the Arts & Culture Caucus, you are helping to show public support for Delaware’s creative economy. Additionally, these meetings are great opportunities to learn more about the current policy agenda, why these policies are important, and how you can help advance them.

How: RSVP to attend: Arts & Culture Caucus

The Lt. Governor’s Creative Economy Convenings are an opportunity for members of the arts community, leaders in government, and other sectors to come together to inform policy, advocacy, programming, and services. 

Why? These convenings are a chance to discuss the needs and opportunities for the creative economy, which can lead to action that supports the sector.  

How: Register on Zoom Lt. Governor’s Creative Economy Convenings | Delaware Arts Alliance 

The annual Pulse Survey is distributed to member organizations at the end of legislative session to help provide feedback for the previous year, such as what went well and what we can improve, and the policy goals for next year. 

Why? Completing the Pulse Survey helps DAA better understand the needs of your organization and helps ensure that we continue to serve you and the sector. 

How: Check your inbox for the link to the annual Pulse Survey each summer. 

If you are attending a DAA event, whether for the first time or not, inviting a friend helps to broaden DAA’s network, offer new perspectives, and build a larger, stronger, creative community. 

Why? Advocacy has strength in numbers, and the more people we can educate, inform, and mobilize, the greater impact we can make for the sector. 

Is there a certain policy initiative that is important to you or your organization? DAA can support you in hosting an event that helps inform your audience about the issue and provides next steps to taking action. 

Why? Educating those most impacted by the policies you are interested in can lead to the conversations with legislators, testifying, and public awareness needed to pass legislation that is favorable for the arts. 

How: Complete interest form to begin scheduling Training | Delaware Arts Alliance 

Use the “Find My Legislator” tool to identify and then contact your elected official to let them know of the powerful work you are delivering to their district. You can also invite them to attend an upcoming event or program so they can see firsthand what you are accomplishing.  

Why? By inviting your legislators to attend your events, you are demonstrating the value of investment in your work and helping to build relationships between them and members of the arts community. These relationships and experiences help paint a full picture of what the arts have to offer Delawareans.  

How: Find My Legislator – Delaware General Assembly 

Using DAA’s “Log Interaction” feature, you can let us know about any meetings or conversations you have with legislators related to the arts. This tool helps DAA track what legislators support the arts and why.  

Why? When working to pass creative economy policies, DAA looks for advocates with existing relationships with legislators, and for conversations that show support (or dissent) for these issues.  

How: Americans for the Arts Inc | Log Interaction 

Once you see how easy it is to get involved, help amplify your impact by encouraging others. DAA can help supply you with sample language, one-pagers, calls to action or other resources to help you spread the message for your local community events, board meetings, or newsletters.  

Why? Your voice and perspective are a powerful tool for change! While DAA staff cannot attend every event, we appreciate the support of involved volunteers to help amplify our message and mobilize additional networks. 

How: Contact DAA at: info@delawareartsalliance.org 

Do you see a bill on the bill tracker you are interested in, passionate about, or that relates to your work? You can register yourself to testify at public Committee Hearings. DAA can help you review your draft remarks and help you with signing up.  

Why? Testifying publicly not only makes your voice heard but adds your input to public records that demonstrate ongoing support (or dissent). Testifying shows that you are passionate about an issue and can help influence policymakers to feel the same or in support. 

How: Contact DAA with your interest in participating: info@delawareartsalliance.org 

The CREATE Plan is the first of its kind in the nation and offers a shared vision for a thriving, inclusive, and interconnected creative economy. The plan includes an economic impact study, online interactive asset map, and 25 policy recommendations for advancing the sector. The full report and summary one-pagers are available on DAA’s website for you to access and download. 

Why? The CREATE Plan is helping local creative economy development. By using the plan, you can help turn its recommendations into action. 

How: Access the CREATE Plan on DAA’s website: CREATE Plan | Delaware Arts Alliance. Use the CREATE Plan Toolkit as guide for ways to integrate the findings into your work and help spread the word/promote the plan to new audiences and potential champions. 

The Cultural Tourism Messaging Playbook presents shared messaging for Delaware, giving artists and businesses a unified voice to strengthen individual marketing and shifting statewide cultural branding initiatives to support arts and culture tourism. The playbook is a shared resource for anyone working in cultural tourism marketing and communications. In addition, the Discoverability Guide offers practical steps for artists and organizations to get their work recognized, increasing sales and visitors. 

Why? Demonstrating that arts and culture drive out-of-state visitors and overnight stays strengthens the case for public funding that benefits every artist, organization, and venue. Additionally, following the Discoverability Guide helps ensure you receive the visibility and revenue you deserve.  

How: Access here: Cultural Tourism Messaging Playbook and 

Discoverability Guide 

DAA’s “State of CREATE” spotlights local stories of progress in the creative economy and highlights where implementation of the CREATE Plan recommendations is underway.. You can help amplify and share the “State of CREATE” stories, and then submit your own examples .  

Why? In sharing local stories of progress, you are helping to build momentum around the overall growth and success of the CREATE Plan. The more we can celebrate, the more we can recognize the strength of our sector and what we are accomplishing.  

How? Complete the form at https://airtable.com/appTYyw9HQLlF88gL/pagMea3FCYPC7wTYp/form and read about previous stories of progress here: https://www.delawareartsalliance.org/stateofCREATE 

DAA is active on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Follow, like, comment, and share our content to help boost our engagement and reach bigger audiences.  

Why? Social media helps get the word out about DAA and the work we are doing. By engaging with us, you are helping to grow our network, which can help us make a greater impact. 

How: View all our social media pages at Contact Us | Delaware Arts Alliance 

DAA is the statewide arts advocacy organization and unifying voice for the arts. We inform, empower, and mobilize our members, arts advocates, and policymakers to advance Delaware’s vibrant creative economy for our citizens. 

Why? By familiarizing yourself with DAA, you are helping us receive recognition for the work we are doing to support the creative economy. In turn, this helps us grow our network and build upon the successes of our work. 

How: Learn about DAA and our history at About Us | Delaware Arts Alliance and reach out to introduce yourself and discuss additional ways to get connected by emailing info@delawareartsalliance.org 

DAA shares regular newsletters with policy updates, upcoming events, resources, and other news from the sector. These emails include information about DAA’s work and other updates from our partners. 

Why? Newsletters are a great resource for summarizing the work we are doing, how you can continue to get involved, and what resources are currently available.  

How: Sign up on the online form Contact Us | Delaware Arts Alliance 

DAA Member Organizations recognize the importance of arts advocacy in Delaware and make a standing commitment to partner with DAA to improve our advocacy efforts and amplify our reach. Member Organizations help sustain our work through membership dues.  

Why? We are stronger when we stand together to present a united front and a unified message. Contribute your voice to the unifying voice of the arts! 

How: Online form to become a member Become a Member Organization | Delaware Arts Alliance 

DAA staff and volunteers can present at your organization, including information on the CREATE Plan, advocacy, economic impact, cultural tourism, and more.  

Why? These sessions offer an additional 1:1 time to ensure your questions are answered and your work is supported.  

How: Contact DAA to start scheduling at info@delawareartsalliance.org 

DAA Committees are volunteer-based and offer an opportunity to contribute to specific areas of our work, with an annual time commitment of approximately 5 hours. 

• Development: Responsible for fundraising and action plans. 
• Finance: Responsible for developing and overseeing the DAA budget 
• Governance: Responsible for bylaws, member recruitment, board procedures, and performance. 
• Membership: Responsible for engaging members and supporting member recruitment. 
• Policy & Advocacy: Responsible for advising and supporting the annual policy agenda. 

Why? Committees are an opportunity to volunteer with DAA and offer your skills that match the needs of our organization. Committee involvement helps you experience more closely what it is like to work with us and is a way to directly support our efforts. 

How: If you are interested in joining a committee, please contact info@delawareartsalliance.org 

Throughout the year, DAA Members receive members-only emails from Jordan (jresh@delawareartsalliance.org). These emails include invites to member only programming, a first look at resources DAA develops, and opportunities to get involved, such as through the annual Pulse Survey.  

Why? As a benefit of DAA membership, DAA Members receive trainings, opportunities to weigh in, and additional resources to support your work and the DAA’s.  

How: Become a member to automatically be added to our Members Newsletter: https://www.delawareartsalliance.org/membership/ 

DAA is often reaching new audiences by word of mouth or peer to peer networking. Consider taking what you learn from DAA and passing it along to a friend or colleague.  

Why? Sharing information helps to grow DAA’s network, raise awareness about our work, and strengthen our collective. 

How: Access resources on the CREATE Plan, including the full report and one-page summaries at  CREATE Plan | Delaware Arts Alliance 

Support DAA’s efforts by making a contribution today! Your gift of any size helps to strengthen our work and gives Delaware’s arts community a stronger voice. 

Why? DAA helps to demonstrate the value of the arts to policymakers and civic leaders – advocating for public investment and policies that allow the arts to grow and thrive. This investment reaches communities throughout Delaware and ensures that the arts are represented where decisions are made.  

How: Contribute year-round on Donorbox or participate during annual campaigns (Do More 24, Giving Tuesday, Annual Appeal) which will be shared directly to your email via DAA’s Newsletter. 

DAA’s Board of Directors contribute their time and expertise to help support our work. The Board of Directors meets 4 to 6 times a year with optional committee service and event participation as well. 100% of the Board of Directors make a contribution to DAA annually. 

Why?  Board of Directors directly shape DAA’s work, helping DAA to accomplish more for the sector and offering benefits for their personal and professional growth.  

How: If you are interested in being considered for the Board of Directors, submit your letter of interest to info@delawareartsalliance.org.