Advocacy is at the heart of LVACA’s mission to support, promote, and build capacity for artists and arts organizations in the Lehigh Valley. We work to ensure that the arts remain accessible, valued and sustainably supported by engaging with policies, partnerships, and initiatives that impact our creative community. Through informed action and collective voice, we stand alongside artists, organizations and advocates to strengthen the role of the arts in our region – because when the arts thrive, our community thrives.
Subject: Standing for the Arts: LVACA Advocacy Update
Dear Friends:
At the Lehigh Valley Arts & Cultural Alliance (LVACA), advocacy is not just something we do – it is who we are.
We exist to advocate for, support, and build capacity for artists and arts organizations, and to ensure that the arts continue to thrive as a vital part of life in the Lehigh Valley. That means speaking up when policies, systems, or decisions have the potential to impact the creative community we serve.
This week, LVACA joined nonprofit partners across Pennsylvania and the nation, including the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofits (PANO) and National Council of Nonprofits (NCN), in supporting a letter addressing proposed changes to federal grant requirements that could create uncertainty, added burden, and potential risk for nonprofits seeking funding. A copy of our statement of support can be found on our website at www.lvaca.org/advocacy.
While these changes may seem administrative on the surface, the impact is real. Nonprofits—including arts and cultural organizations—are essential partners in delivering programs, opportunities, and services that enrich our communities. When access to funding becomes unclear or more difficult, it can lead to fewer programs, fewer opportunities for artists, and fewer cultural experiences for the community.
What Advocacy Means to LVACA
Advocacy, for us, is about insuring that:
• Artists have the support and opportunities they need to create and thrive
• Arts organizations can sustain their work and grow their impact
• Our community continues to benefit from vibrant arts and cultural experiences
• The broader nonprofit ecosystem remains strong, accessible and able to serve
• We encourage our community to stay informed, engaged, and connected to the issues that impact the arts. Continue to support the
LVACA does not take political sides – we side with the arts!
Why This Matters to the Lehigh Valley
The arts are not separate from our community – they are woven into its identity. They shape how we tell our stories, how we connect with one another, and how we grow as a region. From classrooms to stages, galleries to community spaces, the arts contribute to education, economic vitality, and quality of life.
When nonprofits face barriers to funding, it doesn’t just impact organizations—it impacts all of us.
How You Can Take Action
We encourage our community to stay informed, engaged, and connected to the issues that impact the arts. Continue to support the artists and arts organizations that make the Lehigh Valley vibrant, and use your voice to advocate for creativity, culture, and community in your own spaces. Whether through attending events, sharing stories, or championing the value of the arts, each of us plays a role in ensuring a thriving and inspired future for our region.
Our Commitment
LVACA will continue to:
• Advocate for policies that support the arts and cultural sector
• Amplify the voices of artists and organizations in our region
•Stand with our nonprofit partners across Pennsylvania and beyond
• Ensure that the Lehigh Valley remains a place where creativity, culture and community can flourish
Because when the arts thrive, our community thrives
With appreciation and purpose,
Lehigh Valley Arts & Cultural Alliance (LVACA)
Board of Trustees
David Mickenberg, President
Tanya Tyler, Vice President, Chair Advocacy and Programing Committee
Todd Watkins, Treasurer, Chair, Finance and Development Committee
Elizabeth Massa, Chair, Governance Committee, Communications Committee
Andrea Wittchen, Co-Chair, Communications Committee, HR Committee
Silagh White, Co-Chair, Advocacy and Programming Committee, Cahir, Annual Lehigh Valley Arts and Cultural Summit
Jill Odegaard, Jim Toia, Denis Aumiller, and Alan Jennings
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About LVACA Advocacy
The Lehigh Valley Arts & Cultural Alliance (LVACA) is a nonpartisan organization that advocates for artists, arts organizations, and the communities they serve. LVACA does not take political positions; rather, it engages in advocacy to support policies, funding structures, and systems that strengthen the arts community and ensure equitable access to resources. Our advocacy focuses on the effectiveness and accessibility of these systems, rather than on specific political agendas or legislative outcomes. Our advocacy is grounded in our mission to build capacity, foster collaboration, and sustain a thriving arts and cultural ecosystem.
LVACA does not take political sides—we side with the arts!,
On behalf of the Lehigh Valley Arts & Cultural Alliance (LVACA), it’s Executive and Advocacy Committees, we write to express our support for efforts to ensure that nonprofit organizations—including arts and cultural institutions—can continue to access federal funding without unclear requirements, excessive administrative burden, or heightened legal risk.
Click Here to Read the Entire Letter
