What do you ask a Candidate?

RACC’s suggestions for participating in a candidate forum.

Below are some ideas for questions to ask at your local candidate or council forum!  If you attend a candidate or council forum in your community, take along this list of questions and ask one. Note that, depending on the format of the forum, you may be required to submit your question in writing in advance.

SCHOOL BOARD FORUM

(SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER CANDIDATES)
  • Enrollment affects dollars that districts receive from the state. What can you do to ensure that programs which help the social emotional education of my child remain fully funded, like arts education?
  • What will you do to ensure that every child has access to a complete education that includes the arts? How can you eliminate a position from full time to part time and expect them to teach the same level of education when you have 600 kids to instruct?
  • What role do you think creativity can play in supporting key priorities of the district, such as reducing the dropout rate, closing the achievement gap, and preparing more students for college eligibility and/or meaningful careers? 
  • What support do board members need to understand the intersection of mental health, behavioral issues and how arts and culture programing can help overcome these obstacles to children succeeding?
  • What will you do to ensure I do not have to attend budget meetings each bring to ensure arts and culture remain in our schools?In light of the new funding structure for school districts in the state (i.e. the Local Control Funding Formula), how do you see arts education aligning with the state and national standards?

 MUNICIPAL FORUM

(MAYORAL OR CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES)
  • What three things would you do to deepen the City’s investment in its creative economy (cultural tourism, in-direct and direct jobs, nonprofit and for profit)?
  • How would you champion modifications to, or expansion of the City’s current funding stream for local arts and culture and how does the regional cultural plan support this?
  • What do you believe the role of the Mayor/ City Council should be in the development and support of the region’s cultural infrastructure? 
  • How would you support the City of Portland’s Equity Initiatives which is aimed at increasing representation, diversity, and access for all people? How is that reflected in the arts and culture.

 

SPREAD THE WORD:

DEMONSTRATE YOUR #ARTSVOTE POWER

After you attend the forum, be sure tell us about your experience demonstrate our collective power on social media by tagging @regionalarts on Instagram and Twitter and using the hashtags:

#ArtsVote

#ArtsEducationForAll

#ArtCreatesHope

#ArtSavesLives

#ArtsAdvocate

#AEP6

@Americans4Arts

#Arts&ProsperityStudy

#ArtMatters

#CreativeEconomy

#RACCgrants

#StateofTheArts

#PDXaeaf

#WhereArtThouPDX

#PDXartist

 

(RACC acknowledges much of this Advocacy Tool Kit and information is inspired from Arts for LA)