From the songs of the Civil Rights movement to today's courageous undocumented artists, music and art have been at the forefront of all great efforts to produce social change.

It's a lesson I worry we take too lightly in today's world of fact-sheets, white papers, and dense reports. According to recent reports, President Obama and Speaker Boehner are nearing a budget deal that would slash Social Security, cut veterans benefits, and raise taxes on the poor and middle class—while tax-dodging corporations and big polluters sacrifice little. What is missing in the conversation are the voices of real people who understand what is at stake in cutting our vital programs.

We need to take the conversation beyond the Beltway—starting today, with ARTSTRIKE. Today, artists and musicians are joining together to create a critical mass of culture to fight back against the artificial “fiscal cliff” and stop potential cuts.

Check out some of the ARTSTRIKE submissions below, and then share them far and wide to help spread the word: