2016 -- H 8244

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LC005966

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING THE EFFORTS OF THE NINE ORGANIZATIONS NAMED IN THE

CREATIVE & CULTURAL ECONOMY BOND INITIATIVE ON MAY 24, 2016

     Introduced By: Representatives Carson, Morin, Azzinaro, Blazejewski, and Malik

     Date Introduced: May 24, 2016

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, In November of 2014, Rhode Island voters approved bond issues to fund a

"Creative and Cultural Economy Bond" initiative that provided $5 million for an historic

preservation grant program to be operated by the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage

Commission and a $30 million arts and economy grant initiative to be operated by the Rhode

Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA); and

     WHEREAS, Of the $30 million cultural facilities bond, approximately $23.1 million

went to support capital projects and the remaining $6.9 million went to support capital

improvement, preservation and renovation projects for public and nonprofit artistic, performance

centers, historic sites, museums and cultural art centers located throughout the State of Rhode

Island; and

     WHEREAS, Nine significant arts and cultural organizations, located throughout the state,

received these grants, and in addition, the bond funded a competitive matching grant program for

other eligible arts facilities across the state; and

     WHEREAS, The nine organizations are the Trinity Repertory Company, the Rhode

Island Philharmonic, the Newport Performing Arts Center, the United Theater/Westerly Land

Trust, The Chorus of Westerly, The Stadium Theater Conservatory in Woonsocket, the 2nd Story

Theater, AS220, and Waterfire Providence; and

     WHEREAS, Together, these organizations account for nearly $200 million in annual

economic activity and more than 1,900 jobs in Rhode Island, and during the life of the bond, the

improvements made to these facilities will create 612 temporary jobs and 568 permanent jobs;

and

     WHEREAS, The arts and cultural sector creates jobs, stimulates tourism, and builds and

revitalizes our downtowns, neighborhoods and communities, and these nine organizations have

contributed significantly to both the state and local economy, brightening the quality of life for all

Rhode Islanders; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby recognizes the contributions made by our state's arts and cultural

sector and commemorating the efforts of the nine organizations named in the Creative & Cultural

Bond Initiative on May 24th, 2016; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Trinity Repertory Company, the Rhode

Island Philharmonic, the Newport Performing Arts Center, the United Theater/Westerly Land

Trust, The Chorus of Westerly, The Stadium Theater Conservatory in Woonsocket, the 2nd Story

Theater, AS220, and Waterfire Providence.

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