SDAM’s core programs and services support our mission through education, advocacy initiatives, strategy development, coordinated communications, research, convenings, coalition building, and public forums.

PROGRAM: Education and Advocacy – SDAM serves all county residents through education and advocacy in support of arts and culture in the following ways:
*Meet with elected officials to discuss critical issues affecting artists and arts and culture organizations throughout the region;
*Educate the public regarding candidate platforms during key elections by hosting moderated public forums;
*Vet ballot propositions impacting the arts and share information with constituents;
*Host briefings and forums to bring candidates running for office and elected officials together;
*Attend hearings, write letters and Op Eds, and organize public comment on issues of importance to the field;
*Work with local, state and national partners to conduct research that measures the economic and community impact of the arts; and
*Monitor government budget cycles to identify threats to funding and mobilize support as needed;
*Provide arts advocacy training.

PROGRAM: Member Services – SDAM serves coalition members through a variety of programs, including but not limited to the following:
*Communicate information to the field through quarterly newsletters, e-blasts, and Advocacy Alerts;
*Host quarterly convenings for the creative sector;
*Produce and present annual Arts, Culture and Creativity Month awareness building campaign;
*Conduct annual survey of Coalition members to create a unified advocacy agenda for increasing public funding for the arts;

PROGRAM: Intermediary Services- SDAM helps ensure grants and impact investments reach artists and other “hard-to-reach” communities:
*Grantmaking assistance to grant makers, including oversight of all phases of a regranting process
*Community outreach, needs assessment and cultural planning
*Research, reports, and data mining
*Other consulting services as needed.