2015 Arizona Arts Congress Will Be Held on February 3

Artists, arts-related organizations, advocates and business leaders representing tourism and economic development will gather at the Arizona State Capitol, 1700 W. Washington St., for the 29th annual Arizona Arts Congress from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Sponsored by Arizona Citizens for the Arts and more than 30 arts and culture organizations and small businesses, the event includes workshops and meetings with Arizona legislators as well as performances on the Capitol Mall by students from the Phoenix Conservatory of Music and a display of winning artwork from the Arizona Department of Education's student competition, "The Art of Science."

"This is a particularly important year for advocates to spend time with legislators discussing the economic importance and educational value of arts and culture in communities across the state," said Arizona Citizens for the Arts Executive Director Catherine "Rusty" Foley. "The Arizona Commission on the Arts is, again, facing a deep cut to its grants budget that is so vital for arts and culture organizations that deliver programs and services to communities, schools and families statewide.

"At the same time, with 30 percent of legislators having been newly elected, this is a great opportunity to meet them and develop relationships," she added.

Individual registration is $30 per person and includes workshops, meeting materials, snacks, coffee, lunch and water. Sponsorships are $130 and include four registrations. Registration can be done online at www.azcitizensforthearts.org.

Check-in on Feb. 3 begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Arizona State Capitol. Advocacy training sessions will follow. Meetings with legislators are scheduled throughout the day.

For more information, visit www.azcitizensforthearts.org.

About Arizona Citizens for the Arts - Arizona Citizens for the Arts, a 33-year-old 501 c3 organization, acts as the eyes, ears and voice of the nonprofit arts and culture sector in Arizona at the State Legislature, in local city halls and partnerships with business and community leaders involved in building and supporting quality of life in Arizona.

2015 Arts Congress Sponsors:

Arizona Art Alliance

Arizona Dance Coalition

Arizona Humanities

Arizona Theatre Company

Arizona Thespians

Chandler Center for the Arts

Charles Goldstein Emergency Services

Children's Museum of Phoenix

Childsplay

Edward Jensen Urban Productions

Flagstaff Arts Council

Kur Carr Group

Literacy Connects

Mesa Arts Center

Museum Association of Arizona

Musical Instrument Museum

Phoenix Art Museum

Phoenix Center for the Arts

Phoenix Children's Chorus

Phoenix Theatre

Randy Murray Productions

Rose Law Group - Jeff Rich

Tempe Community Chorus

Theatre Works

Tom Chapman

Tucson Pima Arts Council

VSA Arizona

West Valley Arts Council