Seattle University
MFA in Arts Leadership
Course Name: ARTL 541 Public Policy, Advocacy, Collaboration
Fall, 2010
Instructor: Susan Trapnell
Cell: 206-369-0944
e-mail: Strapnell@artsconsulting.com
Course Description
This course is designed to strengthen your position as an advocate in the arts, by examining the
history of American cultural attitudes and economic theories that impact arts policy; real life
examples of effective advocacy; and effective collaboration. We will delve into American
attitudes and key controversies in the arts; into the founding of the NEA and arts councils; and
into cases of effective advocacy. We will also look at the role of advocacy in arts
organizations, legal limitations for arts organizations; strategies for influencing public policy and
local and national legislative processes and how to enter that process. The class will consist of
extensive reading and discussion, lectures by the instructor and guest speakers, case studies
and in class exercises. The class requires lots of reading; class participation; one short paper
and one longer “white paper” and a short presentation to the class. Texts:
American Culture American Tastes by Michael Kammen c. 1999 published by Alfred Knopf Inc.
(paperback available through Amazon). Visual Shock by Michael Kammen c. 2006, published by
Alfred Knopf Inc.
Competencies
To speak with passion and knowledge about the rationale for public support of the arts
To analyze the challenges affecting the decision makers
Gain confidence in your ability to make a case, defend it and build supporters
Class outlines; assignments, preparation
Overview: Sessions 1-4 focus on the history and context for public cultural policy
Sessions 5-6 focus on real life application of advocacy
Session 7-8 focus on economic theories and controversies that impact public policy
and philanthropy
Session 9-10: focus on developing advocacy skills.
Session 1: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 6:00 p.m. – 8:40 p.m.
Topic: Introduction to the course
 What we mean by advocacy and how its exercised
 What we mean by public policy and how it’s effected
 What we mean by collaboration and what are the merits
Introduction to one another; Overview of the course material and assignments
Preparation:
Read: “Culture and the State in America “
Read: “Can government funding of the arts be justified theoretically?”, Noel Carroll
Be prepared to answer three questions:
What do you want from this class?
On behalf of what issue(s) do you currently advocate?
What is your dream job?
Session 2: Tuesday, October 5, 2010; 6:00 p.m. - 8:40 p.m.
Topic : Cultural Attitudes affecting arts policy in America. Using Michael Kammen’s book, we
will explore the cultural traditions and attitudes that affect public policy and philanthropy in the
arts: Elitism vs. democracy; high art vs. low; European vs. non-European traditions; impact on
mass culture.
 Look at cultural attitudes that impact public policy today
o Elitism vs. access
o High art vs. low art
o European vs. non European traditions
o Who pays
o Popular vs. mass art
Preparation:
Read: American Values, American Tastes, Chapter 1-5
Class Structure: Lecture and discussion
Session 3: October 12, 2010; 6:00 p.m. to 8:40
Topic: Arts and the Non-profit organization.
We will discuss the relationship of mass culture with not-for-profit culture. Why are we nonprofit? How do we illuminate the virtues that justify non-profit status? What is the obligation
of the non-profit to grass roots traditions? To high art traditions? How do we distinguish
advocacy from lobbying?
Preparation:
Read: American Values, American Tastes, Chapters 6-10
Lecture and discussion
Session 4: October 19, 2010 6:00 p.m – 8:40 p.m.
Topic: History of the NEA, local arts councils,
We will review the debates and arguments surrounding the establishment of the NEA;
the structure and process which rules most public funding; we will examine how these issues
continue to play out in the arts today, and how they impact private philanthropy.
Preparation:
Research the founding of the NEA and the first arts Council - in North Carolina. Some
books that might be helpful will be available in the office for you to check out for a few hours at
a time. Or you may find your own sources.
Written Assignment: An essay (no more than 3 pages double spaced) on the key issues
surrounding the NEA, the people who were instrumental and how they are the same or
different today. Submit a hard copy at the start of class.
Read: “The Arms Length principle and the Arts: An International Perspective”, Hillary
Hillman Chartrand
Read: “Arguing for Government Support of the Arts, An American View”, J Mark
Schuster
Read: “A Matter of Principle”, Ronald Dworkin
Session 5: Saturday, October 16th, 9:00 – 11:40a.m. Saturday,
Topic : Logistics of advocacy: Guest speaker – Kevin Hughes of Hughes Associates
The decision making process at the federal, state and local levels
Advocacy and lobbying in the non-profit organization
Session 6; Saturday, October 16th 12:30 – 3:10 Case Studies of effective lobbying:
Guest: Lisa Fitzhugh; James Keblas (tentative)
Since session 5 and 6 is only 4 days after the last class, additional preparation is minimal.
Session 7: Tuesday November 9, 2010, 6:00 p.m. – 8:40p.m
Topic: Controversies in the arts – their history, impact and remedies
Come prepared to discuss controversies outlined in Visual Shock and ramifications in your own
experience. We will look at organizational responses and the development of organizational
crisis communication plan.
Preparation:
Read: Visual Shock: Chapters 1-6
Read: “Culture Wars” Richard Bolton
Lecture and Discussion
Session 8: Tuesday, November 16, 2010, 6:00 p.m. - 8:40 p.m.
Topic: Economic theories that impact public policy and philanthropy in America
The impact of public policy on philanthropy
Lecture and discussion
We will prepare for the “debate” scheduled for Session 9
Preparation:
Read: “Public Funding of Controversial Art”, Michael Rushton
Read: “The Interrelationships Between Public and Private Funding of the Arts in the
United States”, J Mark Schuster
Read: “Resource Allocation to the Arts”, J Mark Shuster
Session 9: Tuesday, November 23, 2010, 6:00 p.m. – 8:40 p.m.
Topic: Building your case.
A debate. We will hold a mock debate with you as candidates and questioners. You will be
randomly assigned the pro or con position on various arts issues, at the prior class.
Preparation: Whatever it takes…build on the history and economics of prior sessions and the
communication skills of other classes.
Session 10: Tuesday, November 30, 2010: 6:00 p.m. – 8:40 p.m.
Topic: Review; presentation of your case which is the topic of the “white paper” that is your
final paper.
Preparation: Have your case airtight for your final paper. Make a presentation to the class (10
minutes max) regarding an issue that will be the topic of your final advocacy white paper.
Written Assignment: Prepare a “white paper” on an issue in the arts. Address the
context, the problem you want to address, solution you propose; the means of building
support; and the time line. We’ll discuss the white paper and what should be included
throughout the semester.
Grade weighting:
Attendance
Participation in class
and grasp of the material:
NEA essay
Debate preparation:
Final presentation
White Paper
40%
20%
5%
5%
10%
20%