January is always a busy time for our state and federal government, and this year is no exception. And let’s be honest—there is a lot going on. I sometimes get overwhelmed by politics and the constant drama. I find it challenging to navigate through the rhetoric and posturing to understand what is really going on, and even more so to understand how I can have an impact, if any. I am easily discouraged and extremely cynical.

And yet, I still send emails to my legislators. I still read about new legislation proposed and passed. And, I still travel to advocacy days in Washington, D.C. and Lansing. In fact, the more chaotic or frustrating the landscape is, the more determined I get. Even when I have zero expectations of impact, I keep at it. “But Lisa,” you might say, “you just said you are discouraged and pessimistic. Why don’t you just throw up your hands and walk away?” Because I am really, really stubborn. And, because I know that it is my right and also my responsibility to participate in the process, even if sometimes I feel covered in slime afterward.

I was just talking to someone the other day about meetings I’ve attended with legislators who I don’t agree with. I shared a story of the time I visited the offices of the Michigan legislator who introduced bills to defund the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Ok, so the meeting was not with the actual legislator, but it was with the staff member who likely wrote the language for the bill. So same difference.

I was dreading the meeting, but once I was there, I suddenly felt energized. As I calmly talked through the different “asks” of the meeting, including support of the Institute for Museum Library Services (IMLS) which is basically a sibling of the NEA and NEH, I felt a clear sense of purpose, and I shockingly felt empowered. Not to actually bring about change with that particular office— again, see deeply cynical above—but about having a voice and sharing it. As I shared how museums in that legislator’s district benefitted from public funding, including IMLS, NEA, NEH, it felt good. It felt good to talk about the work of Michigan’s museums and the impact they have in their communities. It felt good to tell stories of experiences at museums that had real meaning. And, it felt good to look them in the eye and make clear that their efforts to defund these entities would have a very real impact on their constituents. Apparently, even when feeling powerless, it still feels good to say words out loud that articulate what I think is important, especially to someone who didn’t appear to value that.

It is this experience, and this story, that I think of most when I feel discouraged and overwhelmed. I might not like the direction we are headed, and I might not think I can bring about significant change, but by golly I can use my voice and make sure the people who are representing me understand my perspective. And that feels important too.

Speaking of having a voice, there are two chances for members of the Michigan museums community to share theirs next month. A delegation from Michigan will be attending Museums Advocacy Day next month on February 24 and 25th. We will visit every Michigan office and ask for support for IMLS (and NEA and NEH) and incentives for charitable deductions for museum donations. You can participate by sending emails to your legislators that week that amplify our asks and give specific examples of how their actions impact your work and museum. Watch the MMA Weekly for more information about how to do that. The second chance is to attend Arts and Culture Advocacy Day in Lansing on February 27. For that event, you will connect with others involved in arts and culture organizations in Michigan and have meetings with your legislators or their staff (which I often prefer). Again, watch the MMA Weekly about how to participate.

Discouraged or empowered, it’s good to use your voice when it comes to advocacy!