R 269
2025 -- H 6311
Enacted 05/08/2025

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING MAY 8, 2025, TO BE "ARTS DAY IN RHODE ISLAND"

Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Boylan, Carson, Chippendale, Speakman, Ajello, Fellela, Serpa, and Casey

Date Introduced: May 08, 2025

     WHEREAS, Arts and culture are embedded in every community; play a unique role in
the lives of our families; and contribute to livability, economic vitality, and enrichment of every
Rhode Islander; and
     WHEREAS, Arts and culture are a source of strength, solace, and connection; and
     WHEREAS, The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, reports that the arts sector
represented 3.3 percent of Rhode Island’s GDP—supporting nearly 18,000 jobs; and
     WHEREAS, Our artists’ small businesses are a substantive component of economic
impact; and
     WHEREAS, Because of the arts, event attendees have a ripple effect on neighboring
businesses, downtowns, and tourism – spending on average $38 in restaurants, shops, and other
local establishments in addition to buying an event ticket; and
     WHEREAS, An 11-year study recently reported that during a school year, each student
enrolled in an arts course had an increase of a third of a day in attendance. This increase translates
to nine additional days of instruction – showing arts education can lead to improved academic
performance and school attendance; and
     WHEREAS, The arts and culture embody much of the accumulated wisdom, intellect and
imagination of humankind; now, therefore be it
     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
proclaims May 8, 2025 to be “Arts Day in Rhode Island”, and encourage all Rhode Islanders to
reflect on how arts and culture enrich their lives and recognize the critical role arts and culture
play in our communities; 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 Rhode Island State Council on the Arts
(RISCA) and the Rhode Island Coalition for the Arts.
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