Arts Professional Story: Ra Joy, Executive Director, Illinois Arts Alliance

What is arts advocacy?

Arts advocacy is the act of speaking out on behalf of the arts and arts friendly policies.

This is incredibly important because artists and arts organizations in our state are up against some daunting challenges. In addition to a spiraling economy, rising unemployment rates, and steep state budget shortfalls, the recent arrest of Governor Blagojevich has triggered unprecedented political uncertainty.

Strong and effective advocacy is especially important in these tough times because policy makers will be making some very difficult funding and policy decisions that will have a direct impact on our state’s cultural sector

The role of the Illinois Arts Alliance is to promote the value of the arts and arts education and make it easier for artists, arts organizations, and people from all walks of life to be effective advocates.

For example, The Illinois Arts Alliance has a long history of fiercely advocating on behalf of free speech and artistic expression, even when it has been politically unpopular. In 1989, the Arts Alliance publicly supported the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for displaying the provocative work of one of its students titled "What is the proper way to display a US flag?" As a result, our funding from the Illinois Arts Council was reduced to $1 the following year. We framed that $1 check, and it hangs in our office as a symbol of our unwavering commitment to Illinois artists and arts organizations.

We serve and represent a network of over 10,000 individuals from all corners of the state who care deeply about the quality of life in Illinois. We also have hundreds of member organizations including many of the state’s foremost cultural institutions – from Hubbard Street Dance Chicago to the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, from ETA Creative Arts Foundation to the Lakeview Museum of Arts and Science in Peoria, from Quad City Arts to Carbondale Community Arts.

The participation of our constituents and our partnerships with respected and diverse organizations across the state are hallmarks of our efforts.

From your experience, how does Chicago and Illinois fit into the national map of arts advocacy?

Illinois is a significant player in the national arts advocacy movement. We have an arts industry that’s second to none, and our statewide advocacy efforts have had a deep and lasting impact on the national arts advocacy landscape.

Moreover, the election of Chicago’s own Barack Obama to the White House and the increasing importance of many national leaders with Illinois roots puts our state center stage when it comes to advocacy.

The Arts Alliance is widely recognized as a national leader in the arts advocacy and service field due to our pioneering research and innovative programs.

In many respects, this stellar reputation is a testament to the activism and visionary leadership of my predecessor Alene Valkanas. It’s an honor for me to follow in Alene’s footsteps and build on the rich traditions and high standards of the Alliance.

What are the benefits of being an artist in Illinois?

Few states can claim the strength, diversity, and significance of a creative sector like Illinois. We are home to world class orchestras, museums, and dance companies. Our theater community is legendary, and we are recognized as a mecca for jazz, blues, and gospel music. We are known as the birthplace of modern architecture, and our public art has earned international acclaim.

Artists in Illinois are part of this dynamic cultural ecosystem, and Illinois artists and cultural workers are all contributing to this rich and wonderful artistic legacy.

What policies are you working on now?

In this time of uncertainty and change, we’re working to advance a number of policies aimed at protecting the health and vitality of our state’s creative sector.

We’re fighting to increase funding for the Illinois Arts Council to $24 million in the state’s FY2010 budget. Governor Blagojevich slashed funding for the Arts Council by $4.5 million in the FY2008 budget. We’re working to reverse these draconian cuts to ensure people from all walks of life have the opportunity to experience and participate in the arts.

We’re working to increase our state’s investment in the Illinois State Board of Education’s Arts and Foreign Language Grant Program to $8 million in FY2010. In order to better prepare our young people for success in the global economy we must ensure equitable access to effective arts programming in all Illinois public schools.

We’re fighting to ensure tax fairness for artists by advancing the Artist-Museum Partnership Act, which would enable artists to deduct the fair-market value of their work – instead of just the cost of their materials – when they make a charitable donation.

We’re striving to protect the free speech and expression of artists by reforming our state’s smoking ban so theaters can use a tobacco alternative in plays with on-stage smoking.

The success of these and other efforts depends upon artists and arts advocates making their voices heard loud and clear. In order to create the fundamental changes needed to strengthen our creative sector, we need artists, arts professionals, and individuals from all across Illinois to get involved.

Are you an artist as well?

To turn a phrase by legendary Chicago playwright and poet Oscar Brown Jr., "Art is my life, politics is my mistress." I am an artist and I come from a family of artists. My father is a graphic artist and my sister is a playwright here in Chicago. My professional background is in politics and public service. Prior to joining the Alliance, I spent several years as a senior staffer for US Representative Jan Schakowsky. My position with the Alliance is a wonderful way for me to merge my lifelong love for the arts and my passion for policy and public service.

If you'd like to see some images of my artwork click here.


Ra Joy is an artist and arts advocate with extensive experience in public policy and the congressional arena. As executive director for one of the premier statewide advocacy organization's in the nation, Mr. Joy oversees research, capacity building and communication efforts to advance widespread support for the arts and arts education in Illinois.

Prior to joining the Illinois Arts Alliance, Mr. Joy served for six years as a senior staffer for U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-9). Motivated by the belief that democracy is a verb and the instinct to be creative is universal, Mr. Joy serves as Chair of the Evanston Ethnic Arts Festival and is a member of the board of directors for Mikva Challenge.

He was selected as a fellow for the 2005 class of Leadership Greater Chicago and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Southern Illinois University. Born and raised in Evanston, Illinois he currently resides in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood with his wife, Falona, and their three sons.

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More information on the Illinois Arts Alliance is available at www.artsalliance.org. 

Finally, do not hesitate to contact me at joy@artsalliance.org or 312-855-3105 should you ever have a question about any aspect of our work.