How We’re Fighting Back Against Arts Defunding

A hand drawing a flag using colored pencils

O4A: Turning Audiences into Advocates

I’ll skip cliches about living in “unprecedented times” and jump to 4A Arts’ core: we believe that arts, culture, design, and craft aren’t a luxury; they’re the foundation of a meaningful life. That’s why we’re mobilizing Americans to defend the arts, changing the narrative for every American and for a new era of arts advocacy.

This year, the White House has bludgeoned America’s creative economy by canceling approved contracts and dismantling what little cultural infrastructure has supported creative institutions for decades. These cuts threaten what we call the wellbeing economy—the part of our lives that helps us thrive, not just survive.

That’s why our flagship program, Organizing for the Arts (O4A), is more vital than ever. O4A works with four state partners—Arizona Citizens for the Arts, Florida Cultural Alliance, Missouri Citizens for the Arts, and Arts South Dakota—to help build a bigger army of arts advocates. Our goal is simple: to turn everyday arts lovers into active voices for the creative institutions they care about.

How It Works

Take one of our partners, Missouri Citizens for the Arts (MCA). MCA advocates in Jefferson City for greater arts funding, which the state then distributes through its arts agency. 4A Arts helps MCA expand its people power by reaching out to arts organizations like the Kansas City Ballet. We ask them to invite their board members and audiences to “sign up” with MCA, through emails, newsletters, and even QR codes in programs. Each new supporter strengthens MCA’s voice and influence in the state capitol.

At the same time, our digital marketing team boosts our partners’ social media presence, sharing data on how the arts drive local economies and stories that remind people why creativity matters. These posts don’t just educate; they inspire action.

The preamble to the Constitution, with the words "We the People" visible, and an American flag in the background

People Power for the Arts

Ultimately, 4A Arts is in the business of people power for the arts, helping citizens see how creativity shapes their communities and motivating elected officials to fund it accordingly.

We believe public support for the arts—local, state, and federal—strengthens innovation, grows economies, and enriches lives. Through Organizing for the Arts and our other nonpartisan programs, we’ll keep building a stronger, more creative America, powered by everyday citizens who believe in the value of art.

An American flag hanging on a rustic wooden fence

Courtesy of @Amalgamate, via Pixabay

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Written by
Gavin Lodge

4A Arts Executive Director Gavin Lodge is also an actor, entrepreneur, political strategist, and father of two. After studying international affairs and philosophy at the University of Colorado, he worked as a field organizer in the Iowa Caucus followed by the role of “body guy” to then-candidate Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington State. Politics empowered him to move to New York City to pursue a performing career. Ultimately, he performed in multiple Broadway shows (including 42nd Street, Spamalot, and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) as well as regional theater, national tours and several network television appearances.

Though he was thrilled every time he stepped onto a theatrical or sound stage, Gavin was equally happy to take on leadership roles in his local union and later his kids’ PTA.

With the Covid-19 pandemic, Gavin jumped back into the political realm, working as a strategist for Bryson Gillette, a minority-owned PR firm focused on politics and public affairs. He also volunteered for Be an #ArtsHero, an arts advocacy movement blossoming during the first few months of the pandemic. During his time with Be an #ArtsHero, he was part of a team that successfully lobbied for a first-of-its-kind hearing on the creative economy in front of the House of Representatives Small Business Committee.

Gavin lives in rural Connecticut with his partner (a composer and orchestral conductor), his TikTok-dancing daughter (who is musically gifted in unparalleled ways) and his soccer-playing son who recently told him “Dad? I’m just not into concerts and theater stuff.” As he told his son, Gavin believes there is much more to American arts and culture than “concerts and theater stuff.” From the video games his son loves to play to low-rider paint jobs to streaming television series while sitting on the couch, Gavin sees American arts and culture as an inclusive, “big tent” spectrum where everyone is an artist and everyone is a member of an audience.

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