ADVISORY/Legislative Arts Caucus Co-Chairs to Sign Michigan Accords for Arts, Culture and Humanities.

News Editors/Assignment Desks

ADVISORY...for March 9 (Tuesday)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

WHO:        Co-chairs of the Legislative Arts Caucus will sign the
            Michigan Accords for Arts, Culture and Humanities as part
            of ArtServe Michigan's Arts Alive 2004: Imagining the
            Power of Arts and Culture in Michigan. The Accords
            represents the coming together of the arts, arts education
            and cultural community in Michigan to speak in one voice
            about the importance of the arts, arts education, culture
            and humanities to the future of Michigan. The Legislative
            Arts Caucus Members will sign the Accords in front of a
            group of 300 arts advocates from throughout the state.

WHAT:       Michigan is one of only a few states in the nation to have
            a bi-partisan, bi-cameral Legislative Arts Caucus. The
            2003 - 2004 Caucus, organized by ArtServe Michigan, is
            chaired by State Senators Patricia Birkholz (R -
            Saugutuck) and Samuel "Buzz" Thomas, III (D - Detroit) and
            State Representatives Jerry Kooiman (R - Grand Rapids) and
            Clarence Phillips (D - Pontiac).

            Legislative Arts Caucus members are the voice for the arts
            within the Legislature. The members of the caucus are
            interested in supporting arts-friendly legislation and
            working to preserve state support of arts and cultural
            activities.

            ArtServe Michigan is an independent statewide organization
            that builds support for the arts, arts education, artists
            and cultural activities among citizens of Michigan through
            advocacy, education and services.

WHEN:       Tuesday, March 9, 2004
            The Accords will be signed by the Legislative Arts Caucus
            co-chairs in a ceremony starting at 12:00 p.m.

            THE PRESS IS INVITED TO ATTEND; THERE WILL BE PHOTO
            OPPORTUNITIES OF CAUCUS MEMBERS SIGNING THE ACCORDS AND
            INTERACTING WITH ADVOCATES. LEGISLATORS MAY BE AVAILABLE
            TO ANSWER A FEW QUESTIONS AFTER THE SIGNING.

WHERE:      Accords signing in the Lansing Center Ballroom, Lansing.