By Connie Martinez, SVCREATES’ Chief Executive Officer
Every 10 years the U.S. Census Bureau collects data to count every person living in the United States. This count determines the number of U.S. representatives a region has, how legislative districts are drawn, and where $675 billion in federal funds are distributed annually. As this process has become more politicized, the arts has a role to play in elevating the importance of being counted by removing the barriers of fear and inspiring participation in the process.
The obvious loss to the arts is our fair share of federal funding that is based on the Census. The less obvious is equal representation when it comes to public policies impacting the arts, with a disproportionate effect on marginalized communities that have historically been undercounted.
Many arts organizations across the country are using their creative platforms to encourage their communities to participate. Hats off to our local arts leadership at MACLA and the School of Arts and Culture at Mexican Heritage Plaza for engaging their audiences to better understand what is at stake. Both are hosting conversations and family art days as a way to share knowledge and inspire participation in the census. They are setting an important example for how the arts can help to ensure everyone is counted.
Learn more about the 2020 Census and how to inspire participation in your community by visiting the County of Santa Clara 2020 Census webpage here.
