2013 -- S 0914

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LC02464

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO ESTABLISH THE RHODE ISLAND

"STATE OF THE ARTS" PLANNING TASK FORCE

     Introduced By: Senators Paiva Weed, Ruggerio, Miller, Pichardo, and Goodwin

     Date Introduced: May 02, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island’s nonprofit arts organizations have earned both national and

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international distinction and account for an impressive amount of economic activity, with

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spending in 2009 of the 1,163 arts and cultural organizations amounting to over $324 million and

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jobs for nearly 5,200 people; and

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     WHEREAS, The arts community greatly enhances Rhode Island’s tourism industry and

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includes critical auxiliary industries such as design and visual arts that are crucial to the success

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of the state’s knowledge economy; and

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     WHEREAS, According to a 2011 study commissioned by the New England Foundation

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for the Arts (NEFA), in aggregate, every $1.00 spent by a Rhode Island nonprofit arts and

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cultural organization became $2.10 in sales for business in Rhode Island, and every job provided

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by a Rhode Island nonprofit arts and cultural organization became 1.5 jobs for workers across the

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state; and

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     WHEREAS, There is a growing consensus within education and economic development

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policy to expand our current national educational emphasis from “STEM” learning (shorthand for

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science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) to “STEAM,” adding an “A” for Arts to

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further encourage creativity and innovation in the next generation; and

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     WHEREAS, It is essential that Rhode Island will examine all available opportunities to

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position, brand, market, and expand Rhode Island’s creative sector to ensure the state remains

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competitive both nationally and internationally; and

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     WHEREAS, On February 11th, the Governor, the Senate, and the House of

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Representatives convened the 2013 Arts Charrette, with over 100 attendees representing

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government, nonprofits, businesses, academia, and private citizens that developed a shared vision

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to position Rhode Island as the nation’s first distinctive “State of the Arts”; and

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     WHEREAS, The General Assembly recognizes and supports the recommendations from

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the Charrette to foster a vibrant arts economy through marketing and branding statewide, to

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examine opportunities to capitalize and expand the arts tax incentives, and to further imbed arts

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with academia. These recommendations will require a concerted effort of public-private

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partnerships; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence

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Plantations hereby respectfully requests the Governor to establish the Rhode Island “State of the

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Arts” Strategic Planning Task Force comprised of appropriate individuals, including

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representatives of the Rhode Island Council on the Arts and the RI Economic Development

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Corporation; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Rhode Island State of the Arts Task Force shall develop a

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comprehensive strategic plan, including specific action steps and identified responsible parties for

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said action steps, for the state of Rhode Island to attract, retain, support, expand, and market the

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arts and associated creative industries in Rhode Island. Such strategic plan shall include, but not

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be limited to, recommendations regarding:

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     (1) Increasing awareness and visibility of the arts;

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     (2) Facilitating increased cooperation and interaction among private businesses and

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members of the arts community;

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     (3) Ensuring the future growth of arts in Rhode Island, including partnerships to increase

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education, participation, and exposure to the arts among children and young adults; and

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     (4) Identifying public-private funding options to encourage, expand, and sustain

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investments in the arts; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall report its findings and recommendations to the

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Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives no later

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then March 13, 2014 and said Task Force shall expire on May 15, 2014; and be it further

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

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Governor.

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LC02464

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