Each year, ARTS DAY includes an advocacy briefing, student performances, the Governor’s Awards for the Arts and Arts Day luncheon, legislative visits to every Ohio House and Senate office, and networking among Ohio’s Arts advocates. Arts Day services as an event rich in education, m and communication. In 2017 Puffin Foundation West was honored to be named Arts Patron and that award prompted the idea that all 2018 grant awards were to be given to Ohio Not-for Profits, and Ohio Citizens. We have made many new friends across the sate that reflect our Mission in their work and people from all corners of our state are using art to raise awareness, lift voices and promote hope. On Arts Day high school students from all over Ohio come to Columbus to visit their state representatives and senators delivering their message of the need (and increased need) that our schools should be able to provide all with quality arts eduction programs. 
Prior to their trip to Columbus on Arts Day, they have learned how to deliver their messages effectively. They have had training in advocacy, public speaking and story telling all of which makes them feel comfortable and confident when they meet their legislators. Many of these training session are done during these students after-school hour’s. All these students meet each other early that morning in an Arts Advocacy kick-off event. They each are “armed” for their encounter with their local representative with a packet of information including a list of Ohio Arts Council grants provided in their district, arts eduction data and information and an arts themed children’s book. These motivated and activist students understand the benefits of the arts and how arts learning impacts lives and how it will be meaningful in their lives and others as the arts create jobs, stimulate economic growth and critical thinking.
