Dear Friends and Members of the Arts Community,
Please help us SAVE OUR LOFTS! We are conducting an important lobbying campaign with our state government to RENEW the LOFT LAW. The loft law helps keep artists in their homes and studios. Letters and faxes that are sent to your local Albany legislators are essential to our effort. Personalized handwritten letters on your letterhead are the most effective. Please use this sample letter only as a guide — personalize your message.
Your letters during the ‘96 renewal effort made a tremendous difference and we thank you.
(Date) YOUR LETTERHEAD
(Name and address)
Re: Renewal of the Loft law
Dear (Senator or Assembly Member X) ,
I urge you to support the renewal of the Loft Law (bill # A-_____, S-______). I am an (artist, arts worker, arts supporter, Director of...) concerned that New York remain the most acclaimed international arts center in the world.
Artist-occupied lofts of New York City represent an invaluable asset to our well being, both culturally and economically. Exposure to the arts enriches our lives and enables us to understand our heritage and the world in which we live.
Artists renovated large tracts of empty, underutilized manufacturing space to create living/working spaces to do their work and raise their families. Most artists earn a modest income and could not stay in NYC without affordable housing and studios.
The Loft Law protects thousands of artists and helps to sustain art-related businesses. Artists and art workers -- painters, dancers, musicians, sculptors, theaters, set designers, filmmakers, video artists, new media -- and the businesses which thrive because of them -- museums, galleries, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, hotels -- all provide jobs for New York. The NY/ NJ Port Authority 1992 study "The Arts as an Industry" reports that 19 million art-motivated tourists spend over $1.387 billion in New York City each year.
The Loft Law provides crucial protection to artists and to the economy, both City and State. The Loft Law expires June 30th unless you act to renew it.
Sincerely,
Dear Relative,
Please help me SAVE MY LOFT! LMLT, our loft advocacy group, is conducting an important lobbying campaign with our state government to RENEW the LOFT LAW. The loft law helps keep artists like me in my home and studio. Letters and faxes that are sent to your local Albany legislators are essential to our effort.
A personal handwritten letter with why you care (and that you VOTE!) on your stationery is the most effective. Please use this sample letter only as a guide — personalize your message. Thank you!
YOUR STATIONERY
(Date)
(Name and address)
Dear (Senator X, Assembly member Y)
I urge you to take an interest in the situation in New York with artists’ living/working homes and to support the Renewal of the Loft Law (Bill #s A-____, S_____)
My child (X) was raised in our district and is now a resident of New York City. I live in (district) and I vote here but I understand how as an artist, (X) needs to live in New York City.
New York State benefits culturally and economically from artists and the creative energy initiated in NYC. My friends travel to NYC and go to the museums, galleries, and theater. We all go to the movies. People that make this invaluable cultural product need their homes to work and raise their families.
Please work with the artists and the City of New York to renew the Loft Law that protects our children and their creative contributions.
Sincerely,