08-R236
2008 -- H 8309
Enacted 05/20/08
H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING MAY 20,
2008 TO BE RHODE ISLAND'S "ARTS ADVOCACY DAY AT THE STATE HOUSE"
Introduced By:
Representatives Lewiss, Naughton, Slater, Ajello, and Ferri
Date Introduced: May 20,
2008
WHEREAS,
Former President John Fitzgerald Kennedy wisely stated “Above all, we are
coming
to understand that the arts incarnate the creativity of a free people. When the
creative
impulse
cannot flourish, when it cannot freely select its methods and objects, when it
is deprived
of
spontaneity, then society severs”; and
WHEREAS,
Recognizing the important relationship between the arts and our quality of
life,
and the arts and a thriving state economy, is an essential element in
humanity’s vast effort to
develop
and expand this world for future generations. Support for Arts Program funding
is a
primary
and necessary step towards reaching that goal; and
WHEREAS,
Arts Advocacy Day at the Rhode Island State House was designed to bring
various
cultural and civic groups, as well as artists, arts supporters, business,
corporate and
legislative
leaders together in order to educate, advocate and promote our state’s arts
programs;
and
WHEREAS,
Financially, the arts create thousands of jobs for citizens of Rhode Island,
and
contribute close to a half-billion dollars annually to the state’s economy; and
WHEREAS,
Every dollar given to the arts through the state budget provides an average
of
$18 in increased revenue from private and out-of-state sources; and
WHEREAS,
In a recent study conducted by the Rhode Island State Council for the Arts
(RISCA),
“For every dollar spent on an arts experience, an additional $23 is spent by
in-state
attendees
and $38 by out-of-state attendees in surrounding establishments. With this, the
arts in
Rhode
Island are a wise investment”; and
WHEREAS,
The National Governors’ Association ascertains that the arts significantly
contribute
to the creation of more flexible and adaptable workers, who are essential for
assisting
today’s
businesses to compete in the global economy; and
WHEREAS,
Educationally, studies have shown that students who participate in the arts,
whether
in school or after school, demonstrate improved academic performance and
realize lower
dropout
rates; and
WHEREAS,
Not only does a thriving arts and cultural life improve educational
outcomes,
and generate income, jobs, and tax revenue for our communities, more
importantly, it
helps
to build a state that is attractive as not only a destination, but as a place
to call home; now,
therefore
be it
RESOLVED,
That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and
Providence
Plantations hereby proclaims May 20th of 2008 to be “Arts Advocacy Day at the
State
House”
in the State of Rhode Island; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That this House of Representatives hereby encourages all the people of the
State
of Rhode Island to observe this day with appropriate programs, activities and
ceremonies,
and
respectfully urges all elected officials to support increased funding for our
state’s art’s
programs;
and be it further
RESOLVED,
That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to
transmit
a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Congressional
Delegation, the
Rhode
Island State Council for the Arts, Americans for the Arts, the Rhode Island
Citizens for the
Arts,
the National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Assembly of State Arts
Agencies
(NASAA).
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LC02956
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