How to Prepare for this Event and what to bring:

1) You need to find out who your State Senator and State Representative are and what their room numbers are BEFORE you come to the State House! We recommend printing out that information and bringing it with you.

Don't know who your legislators are? For a very quick way to find your elected officials see the MA Secretary of State's webpage: http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.aspx

*After you find out who your legislators are, you can also find contact information for them (where their offices are) via the MA Secretary of State's webpage (clink on the links for their names) or you can use the Senate Directory and the House of Representatives Directory. We recommend that you call their offices ahead of this event and let them know you are hoping to stop by their offices and see if you can get an appointment with them. Don't be disappointed if they can't meet with you in person. Remember their staff members are wonderful people and are key people for you to introduce yourself to and get to know too!

2) You will have to go through a security check point and metal detector before you enter the building. All bags must go through an x-ray machine. So travel light if you can. (Special note to visual artists and crafts people- pocket knives and exacto knives are not allowed in the building- often we have these with us as we need them on a regular basis in our studios). Please do not bring original art work with you to this event.

3) Bring your lunch for the Brown Bag Lunch. Note there are places to buy food and beverages but you will have to go outside of the State House to do so, unless you go the State House Cafe located on the fourth floor of the State House (it over looks the Great Hall).

Below is a list of staff picks/tips where to eat if you forget your lunch (note there will probably be lines at most of these places):

Ashburton Café (essentially the State's cafeteria, but open to the public)-located at One Ashburton Place (the McCormack Building, right across the street from the State House's side entrance) in the basement. Website: http://www.gometro.com/Ashburton/

Zen (sushi)-they do quick takeout orders-21A Beacon Street (a hop, skip and a jump from the State House's main entrance) Phone: 617-371-1230

Also there is a Dunkin Donuts across from State House's main entrance.

4) We are recommending that artists (those who do not have problems navigating steps) enter the State House via the front/main entrance known as the Hooker entrance on Beacon Street. (Note: There are three public entrances to the State House: (1) Hooker entrance on Beacon Street at the front of the building (2) Bowdoin Street entrance (handicapped accessible) in front right corner of the building (3) Ashburton Park entrance (handicapped accessible) off Bowdoin Street near rear of building.)

5) This event is a networking opportunity. Bring business cards, postcard images of your work, paper, and pens with you. We also recommend putting together two small packets of information about what you make/do to give to your Senator and Representative. The packet could have a hand written card or note along with your promotional materials. Again we do not recommend that you bring work samples/original work with you to the State House. Remember to collect business cards from your legislators and their staff members. We always recommend sending a hand written thank you note as a follow up.