This year Arts Advocacy of West Virginia conducted its first candidate survey with very positive results.  The survey was designed to increase awareness of the arts as a legislative issue and to place major issues confronting the arts industry in the front of candidates’ minds. 

A resounding 93.5% responded that they believed that the arts were a major component of economic development and should be included in all state development initiatives.  When asked if they would support policies to increase accountability for school standards in the arts, 58.7% said they would enthusiastically support and 37% said they would support such policies with 4.3% being neutral and none opposed.  Ninety-three percent of candidates were willing to enthusiastically support or support increased funding for the arts with none opposed. 

It also appears that the candidates were active in participating in the arts themselves by showing attendance at events as follows:

100%   – Music
89.1%  – Theater
58.7% – Visual Arts
32.6%  – Literary Arts
28.3%  – Dance

The survey also asked candidates if they would be interested in serving on an Arts Caucus and 75% responded yes and 25% either asked for more information or did not know.   Arts Advocacy was very pleased with the results of its first survey and plans to use this data in its work throughout the coming year.