 Tie “California Arts Day” into existing events
- Find out what arts events happen locally on or around October 3 and ask sponsoring entities to label their events "California Arts Day" events.
- Advertise local "California Arts Day" events in your local newspaper or newsletter and on your website.
- Advertise your local "California Arts Day" event on the CAC website.
- Give discounts for "California Arts Day" events.
- Ask for notices of "California Arts Day" in event programs.
- Ask for announcements of the importance of California Arts Day during any public speeches surrounding the events. (Examples: during the welcoming of artists at an exhibit opening, when asking patrons to turn off cell phones at a performing arts venue, etc.).
Make October 3 “Arts for Free” day
- Ask local theatres, dance companies, museums to provide free or discounted admission for the public.
Do something special
- Hold a parade. Invite local artists to create a parade with a special Arts Day theme.
- Hold a one-day arts fair. Invite local artists to exhibit their works and/or perform on one day.
Create some art
- Dedicate a new or already existent piece of public art. If a new piece is about to be dedicated, plan the dedication around October 3rd. Re-dedicate an existing artwork. Is there a local favorite that is five, ten or twenty years old this year?
- Create a mural or chalk-art display. Arrange for a themed mural painting. Invite the public to participate--especially kids! A California school once decorated their entire blacktop with chalk-art murals for California Arts Day, and the event was covered by local television media via helicopter.
Talk about it!
- Schedule a public hearing on the value of the arts locally. Invite local leaders to give testimony on the role of the Arts, Culture and Creativity locally, statewide and nationally.
- Arrange with a local radio station to host the hearing, with interviews and a talk-show call-in segment carried live.
- Get important local citizens (academics, news anchors, sports figures, civic leaders, elected officials) to hold a panel discussion on the value of the arts.
Have an Arts Competition
- Have a California Arts Day Poster Contest with several categories for different ages. Award prizes as part of the celebration. Exhibit them at City Hall or another public venue.
- Hold a California Arts Day Poetry Contest. Plan an event around the readings of the winners. Create a virtual Coffee House Poetry Reading for the Internet Generation. Involve popular bloggers and others in the planning.
- Have a California Arts Day Talent Show at a local school or other community group.
Hold an Arts Awards event
- Honor local arts groups, artists, elected officials, civic leaders, and/or arts educators with awards. Invite an elected official to make the presentation.
- Send the media a news release and photos of the winners of the event.
- Celebrate multicultural or culturally-specific art. Plan an event that focuses on the diversity of cultural contributions to local civic life.
Work with your local media
- Schedule a public hearing on the value of the arts locally. Invite local leaders to give testimony on the role of the Arts, Culture and Creativity locally, statewide and nationally.
- Arrange with a local radio station to have the hearing with interviews and a talk-show call-in segment carried live.
- Get important local citizens (academics, news anchors, sports figures, civic leaders, elected officials) to hold a panel discussion on the value of the arts.
Hold a “kids’ art” celebration
- Combine an exhibit with hands-on instruction from a local artist (possibly include an outdoor chalk painting event).
- Make musical instruments out of recyclables and perform familiar or improvised music.
Work with retailers
- Ask managers to feature local art works in the store windows--and advertise California Arts Day--in their advertising. Even just having mannequins holding California Arts Day signs would draw attention to both the store and to the arts.
- Ask local stores to invite artist and craftspeople to work in-store or in the display windows on October 3.
Plan a party
- Invite local arts organization leaders, arts supporters, elected officials, representatives from the local PTA, AARP, Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the media to plan a California Arts Day Party. Consider brainstorming how best to attract the most attention given time and money resources. Involve your whole community. Spread the word of the event--and the ownership--to increase your chances of success. Consider:
- where to hold the party
- whom to invite (include children)
- getting the word out to the public and media
- providing food and drink (perhaps asking local restaurants to donate)
- inviting the news media to all events
- decorations--hold a contest; invite local artists to show their works
- entertainment--dance, music, theatre
- leveraging partnerships with schools, libraries, and businesses
- inviting local television anchors, the mayor, or City Council members to give speeches
- keeping it simple and making it FUN. Focus on the ARTS.
Create your own California Arts Day
- We've tried to come up with as many suggestions as possible - now it's your turn!
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