rizona Citizens for the Arts and Arizona Action for the Arts are separate and legally distinct organizations with a common goal: Create an environment in which the arts can flourish in Arizona."Your organization's year-round grassroots advocacy efforts and lobbying presence at the State Capitol are absolutely vital in creating public policy that is favorable to the arts."
--Carolyn Allen, Arizona State Senator

Our Mission

Arizona Action for the Arts, the non profit statewide arts advocacy membership organization, promote public dialogue, public policy and legislation favorable to the arts, ensures and increases state
funding for the arts, and serves as a resource for expanding other public funding sources.

Arizona Citizens for the Arts, the non profit charitable arm of Arizona Action for the Arts, increases discussion and awareness of the importance and impact of the arts in achieving quality of life, educational excellence and economic health for all Arizonans and Arizona Enterprises.

What We Do in Arizona for Arts and Culture
Arizona Citizens for the Arts (AzCA)

• presents the annual Governor's Arts Awards with the Arizona Commission on the Arts and the Office of the Governor
• works to raise awareness about the importance of arts education and trains arts education advocates throughout the state

Arizona Action for the Arts (AzAA)

• Advocates statewide for arts and culture through our professional lobbyist, legislative liaison program and our grassroots advocate network.

History
Arizona Citizens for the Arts, formerly Arizonans for Cultural Development, is the nonprofit charitable arm of Arizona Action for the Arts. Arizona Citizens for the Arts generates discussion and builds awareness of the importance and impact of the arts in achieving quality of life, educational excellence and economic health for all Arizonans and Arizona enterprises.

Arizona Action for the Arts was incorporated in 2005 to

• promote public dialogue, public policy and legislation favorable to the arts
• ensure and increase state funding for the arts, and
• serve as a resource for expanding additional public arts funding sources.

Meet the Staff of Arizona Citizens/Action for the Arts

Brenda Sperduti
Executive Director, Arizona Citizens/Action for the Arts (AzCA/AA)

Brenda has been Executive Director of AzCA/AA since 2007. She also owns her own consulting business, Sperduti NetWorks LLC, serving both for-profit and non-profit clients. From 1983 thru 2003, she held management positions with several Fortune 100 financial and telecom service companies managing public policy, corporate philanthropy, community and government relations. As ED of AzCA/AA, she has stepped into the spotlight as a leader in Arizona’s arts community through her work to promote public policy, public dialogue and legislation favorable to the arts and arts education. She grew up in New York State and has lived in Arizona since 1974.

Marci Rosenberg
Associate Director, Arizona Citizens/Action for the Arts(AzCA/AA)

With more than thirty years of professional experience in urban planning, public policy and community relations, Marci’s specialized skills and valuable perspectives compliment the team at AzCA/AA. Currently studying for certification as a “Sustainable Building Advisor”, Marci has incorporated many sustainable practices into the 2010 Governor’s Arts Awards event. An Arizona resident since 1980, she has been an active volunteer in numerous community organizations, holding leadership roles in many including the Arizona Planning Association, Madison elementary and middle Schools, and National Charity League. Marci notes how fortunate she was to have opportunities for education in visual arts, music, theater, and dance while growing up in Peoria, Illinois. As a parent, she enjoyed many years as a volunteer instructor of the “Masterpiece Art” program for her son’s and daughter’s public school classes. Marci finds art to be cathartic and tries to carve out quiet time to work on mixed-media and collage pieces. She sings in her car and dances when no one is looking.

Michael Soto
Outreach Manager, Arizona Citizens/Action for the Arts (AzCA/AA)

Michael is an AmeriCorps Public Ally with AzCA/AA. He attends Arizona State University and has worked in the nonprofit industry for 8 years. He is a classically trained cellist and participated in arts education throughout his K-12 education in the Mesa Public School District. He is an Arizona native who has also lived in Florence, Italy, St. Louis, MO, and Washington, D.C. He is also a graphic artist who dabbles in paint and hand drawing. Michael is proud to work in the Arts Education Advocacy Outreach program for AzCA/AA.