Crisis Report Worksheet Crisis Report
Case Study #2026-A
Classification
Urgent
Lead Agent (Name)
Date of Analysis
Breaking News Alert
"The City Council has just announced the immediate cancellation of the Harbor Heights Mural Project and the annual Youth Jazz in the Park festival. Officials cite a 'shifting fiscal reality' and a need to focus on 'core infrastructure.' Local artists and students are blindsided as $45,000 in promised funding evaporates overnight."
01 The Autopsy: Why did this happen?
Analyze the scenario above. Identify three distinct reasons why these programs were likely targeted for cancellation.
Needs Assessment Matrix
Advocacy isn't just about "asking for money." Effective campaigns identify exactly what is missing. Categorize the needs of the Harbor Heights Mural Project below.
Financial Needs
What specific costs need to be covered? (e.g., materials, artist fees, insurance)
Spatial/Physical Needs
What physical assets are at risk? (e.g., wall space, studio access, storage)
Social/Community Support
What human support is missing? (e.g., volunteers, political champions, audience awareness)
Reflective Strategy
If you could only solve ONE of these three needs right now to save the mural project, which would you prioritize and why? Be strategic.
Arts in Crisis Slides Lesson 01: Arts in Crisis
The Case for
Creativity
Identifying the vital needs of arts organizations in an era of budget cuts.
Live Report
"Local Arts Festival Cancelled!"
"The Harbor Heights Youth Jazz Festival, a staple for 15 years, has been defunded. City Council cited 'changing priorities.' Students are left with nowhere to play."
Discussion Prompt:
Why does this happen? Is it just about money?
What is Advocacy?
The Definition
The act of speaking on behalf of, supporting, or recommending a cause or policy.
The Goal
To influence decisions within political, economic, and social institutions.
The Needs Matrix
Financial
Grants, donations, ticket sales, and sponsorships.
Spatial
Studios, rehearsal halls, galleries, and storage.
Social
Volunteers, political will, and public awareness.
Stakeholder Mapping Handout People Power
Mapping Influence & Priorities
Campaign Phase
Targeting
Who makes the decisions?
In advocacy, you don't talk to everyone at once. You talk to the people who hold the power to help your cause. These are your stakeholders.
Our Art Cause
Direct Influence
Impacted Groups
School Board
Local Business Owners
Students & Parents
Town Mayor
Stakeholder Brainstorm
Identify two additional groups that might care about or influence the Harbor Heights Mural Project.
Empathy Map: The Skeptic
Choose one stakeholder from your map who is skeptical or resistant to the cause. Fill out the map from THEIR perspective.
What they think/feel
(What are their hidden worries? What really matters to them?)
What they see
(What do they see in the community? What are their friends doing?)
What they say/do
(How do they act in public? What is their public attitude?)
What they hear
(What are coworkers saying? What rumors are they hearing?)
Pains
What fears, frustrations, or obstacles do they face regarding your project?
Gains
What would a "win" look like for them? What makes them look good?
Pitch Playbook Slides The Pitch Playbook
Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasion
"It's not just what you say, it's how you say it to get people to move."
LOGOS
Logic & Facts
Stats, data, and logical outcomes.
PATHOS
Emotion & Values
Stories, feelings, and community heart.
ETHOS
Credibility
Authority, experts, and trustworthiness.
Pulling Heartstrings
Pathos
1 The Personal Story
Focus on one specific student whose life was changed by the arts. One name, one face.
2 Shared Values
Connect to things we all care about: joy, community pride, and heritage.
"If we lose our music program, we lose the heartbeat of our school."
The Cold Facts
Logos
The "Why" Data
Higher graduation rates
Economic growth for towns
Improved mental health
Better SAT scores
Wait, but why?
"Skeptics need proof. If you can't show the math, they won't show the money."
Rhetoric Lab Worksheet Rhetoric Lab
Message Drafting Workshop
Worksheet #3
Name
Date
Phase 1: The Core Message
What is the single most important thing you want people to know? Write one powerful sentence that sums up your cause.
Draft your core message here...
Phase 2: The Rhetoric Flip
Practice tailoring your message. Use different rhetorical strategies for different people.
Target: The City Treasurer Use Logos
Focus: Efficiency, ROI (Return on Investment), graduation rates, tourism revenue.
Target: The Parent Association Use Pathos
Focus: Student well-being, emotional expression, safe spaces, lifelong memories.
Target: A Famous Local Artist Use Ethos
Focus: Heritage, professional expertise, legacy, mentorship, "expert" support.
The Ultimate "Ask"
Don't just talk. What exactly do you want them to DO? (Sign a petition? Vote? Donate?)
Campaign Blueprint Planner Campaign Blueprint
Visual Identity & Layout Planner
Lead Designer
Project Title
1. Color Palette
Choose 2-3 main colors. What emotion do they evoke? (e.g., Orange = Energy, Blue = Trust)
Color 1
Color 2
Accent
2. Typography (Fonts)
Pick a "Header" font (bold, loud) and a "Body" font (clean, readable).
3. The Hero Image
Describe the central visual element. Is it a photo? A logo? An abstract symbol?
4. Layout Thumbnail
Sketch your poster or social media post layout below. Where does the HEADLINE go? Where is the CALL TO ACTION?
Hierarchy
Contrast
Whitespace
Balance
Design Rationale
"Why will this visual design stop someone on the street and make them care about the arts?"
Pitch Challenge Rubric The Pitch
Challenge
60 Seconds to Change a Mind
Official Rubric
1. The Hook (First 10 Seconds)
Weight: 20%
UNSATISFACTORY
Starts with "Hi, I'm here to talk about..." boring introduction.
DEVELOPING
Briefly mentions the topic but lacks immediate punch or mystery.
EXEMPLARY
Starts with a shocking stat, a vivid image, or a poignant question.
2. The "Meat" (Logos & Pathos)
Weight: 40%
UNSATISFACTORY
No clear evidence or emotional connection provided.
DEVELOPING
Uses either logic or emotion, but the connection is weak.
EXEMPLARY
Seamlessly blends a human story with 1-2 hard facts.
3. The Call to Action (The Ask)
Weight: 20%
Ends without asking for anything specific.
Vague request like "please support us" or "help us out."
Specific, actionable, and urgent request for support.
4. Vocal & Physical Presence
Weight: 20%
Mumbles, no eye contact, reads directly from notes.
Good volume but lacks passion or varied tone.
Dynamic voice, steady eye contact, confident posture.
Peer Review & Defense
Peer Feedback Corner
What was the most memorable part of the pitch?
One "Hard Question" for the advocate:
Post-Campaign Debrief
If you had to do this campaign for real in your town next week, what is the first hurdle you would expect to face, and how would you jump it?
What did you learn about the power of your own voice through this project?
Advocacy Facilitation Guide Advocacy Ops
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Sequence Strategy
This sequence is designed to move students from passive consumption of arts programming to active stewardship. By centering the curriculum on a "crisis" scenario, you provide immediate stakes and a clear problem to solve.
Lesson Pacing & Key Moves
01
The Hook:
Don't just read the "Breaking News"—act it out. Interrupt the class with a mock announcement to build urgency and spark emotional response.
02
Empathy Mapping:
Challenge students to pick the hardest audience members. It forces them to think deeply about conflicting values.
03
The Rhetoric Pivot:
Focus on the "Pivot." Ensure students understand that facts (Logos) and feelings (Pathos) are both necessary tools in the kit.
Discussion Hooks
The "Fairness" Debate
"If a town only has enough money for one thing—a new bridge or a theater—how do we decide what is more 'essential'?"
The Impact Question
"Think of one art form that has changed your life. Now imagine it didn't exist in your town. What's missing from the atmosphere?"
Pro-Tip
Invite local arts leaders or school board members to join the final mock panel for authentic feedback.
The Pitch Challenge Setup
Physical Staging
Create an "Elevator" space in the room using tape on the floor. Students stand in the box to deliver their 60-second pitch. Use a physical stopwatch and a bell for the 60-second mark to simulate real high-stakes pressure.
Differentiating
For students who struggle with public speaking, allow them to record their pitch as a video or present to a smaller peer group first. Focus on the content of the argument over performance polish.
