Representative Joseph Crowley speaks with AnnaLynne McCord, Emily Ratajkowski, Jeff Magid, and Matthew Rhodes during the Creative Coalition's Arts Team Arts Day on the Hill to focus national leaders on the efficacy of the arts on Capitol Hill on April 29, 2016 in Washington, DC (Photo courtesy Getty Images)
Actor and activist Paul Robeson believed 'Artists are the gatekeepers of truth. They are civilization's radical voice.' On April 29th the Creative Coalition's Arts Team took to Capitol Hill to lobby national leaders for arts funding. The Creative Coalition founded by prominent entertainment industry advocates Christopher Reeve, Ron Silver, Blair Brown and Susan Sarandon as a bipartisan arts advocacy group yearly leads a delegation to Capitol Hill. The stars lobby lawmakers directly on how Federal funding of the arts is intrinsic to the most productive citizenry, culture and economy. Entertainment industry members spend countless hours advocating on Capitol Hill - including testifying at hearings; meetings with legislators and key staff; leading grassroots campaigns; and holding forums to highlight the important role arts plays in our country. The week before CEO Robin Bronk and Tim Daly ("Madame Secretary"), the President of The Creative Coalition submitted joint testimony to the House and Senate Appropriations Committee, asking for increased funding to support the National Endowment of the Arts, highlighting the overwhelming statistics that a strong workforce depends on a generation's exposure to the arts and arts education. The 2016 Creative Coalition Arts Day Delegation started at 9:00 AM on Capitol Hill. The Arts Team that included Emily Ratajkowski ("Gone Girl"), Nina Dobrev ("The Vampire Diaries"), Rosario Dawson ("Daredevil"), Neve Campbell ("House of Cards"),"), Wendi McLendon-Covey ("The Goldbergs"), AnnaLynne McCord ("90210"), Constance Zimmer ("UnREAL"), Lisa Edelstein ("Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce"), Esai Morales ("The Brink") pressed for arts advocacy at the offices of Senator Paul Strauss, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Senator Roger Wicker, Representative Ander Crenshaw, Representative Diana DeGette, Representative Charlie Dent, Representative Ted Deutch, Representative Debbie Dingell, Representative Sean Duffy, Representative Raúl M. Grijalva, Representative Mike Honda, Representative Bill Huizenga, Representative Adam Kinzinger, Representative Zoe Lofgren, Representative Erik Paulsen, Representative Louise Slaughter.
Lisa Edelstein and Neve Campbell mingle with guests
Later at The Night Before Benefit Dinner Gala at A-List Communications' Supper Suite at four star restaurant STK more lobbying was done over steaks, fine wine and desserts prepared by the culinary team. As public servants mingled with Hollywood stars the evening bought focus to national leaders on the efficacy of the arts.
Esai Morales and TCC guests
CEO Robin Bronk sums up the mission, "As people gather in Washington ahead of the annual White House Correspondents Dinner, The Creative Coalition holds the "Celebration of Arts in America Benefit Gala Dinner" to highlight and celebrate how vital the arts sector is for America's future. It is another opportunity for policy makers, influencers and national leaders to gather and bring attention to the positive impact of the arts."
Robin Bronk, Mark Stevens and Laurie Stevens
All other Photos Credit : Michael Faulkner