Dear Friend:
Each day, we hear the news of our continuing economic troubles locally, nationally and even internationally. We all know individuals who are the human side of our staggering unemployment numbers. In the face of such significant challenges we must not lose hope. I ask you today to join with Rhode Island Citizens for the Arts in ensuring a bright future for all the arts in our state, for the benefit of all Rhode Islanders.
A friend recently said, “The arts are part of the recovery.” In fact, the arts have historically provided a refuge in tough times. More importantly to Rhode Island, the arts provide an avenue for positive return on investment. As a sector, the arts encourage an upward progression for the Rhode Island economy. We need to get this message out to our legislators strongly this year.
At the 2008 Arts Advocacy Day at the State House in May, General Treasurer
Frank Caprio announced employment in arts-centric businesses in Rhode Island
grew by 5.1% between 2007 and 2008. This announcement was made in the midst
of daily reports regarding decreasing employment overall for the state. The
resoundingly positive news during challenging times is just one sign that the
arts are indeed a proven investment. The arts are one of the strongest
attractions for bringing businesses, jobs and tourism to our state - and it
costs very little. At .074% of the entire state budget, the arts are hardly
an expense. Even better, for every $1 the state invests in the arts, $17
more is generated in matching funds for the grantee organizations to produce
their works, hiring locally and buying locally.
As you know, we are facing an incredibly difficult legislative season ahead. Now more than ever RI Citizens for the Arts needs your membership support to prepare for the upcoming session and get this message out to our legislators.
In the 2008 legislative season, we staved off proposals that would have negatively affected the 1% for the Arts Public Art program and the statewide arts districts. We worked to fight against a proposed change to the way in which donations are made by quasi-public organizations - a change that would have affected a significant funding source for many of our larger arts institutions. We also once again held a successful Arts Advocacy Day at the State House, educating advocates in a workshop, bringing constituents to legislators, and rounding out the day with the press announcement by Treasurer Caprio - resulting in a front page Providence Journal Business section article on the arts. Further, in a tough budget year, we made sure the Rhode Island State Council for the Arts was not singled out for disproportionate budget cuts, saving critical grant dollars for Rhode Island artists and arts organizations.
Through all this, RI Citizens for the Arts is becoming the recognized face for the arts at the State House. We are poised to work with the legislature towards positive outcomes for the arts, and for the benefit of all Rhode Island. With the challenges our State is facing, this will be an uphill battle - but one we feel very confident we can accomplish through your support.
This past year, many of you participated in our policy agenda survey. Others were engaged in focus groups. The results of these efforts have informed the creation of the first multi-year policy agenda for the arts, to be shepherded by RI Citizens for the Arts at the State House. This agenda will be our guide in 'staying the course' no matter the political landscape in the next few years. We look forward to sharing the policy agenda with you soon. Please watch out for the invitation and join us in celebrating a visionary document for the future in policy for the arts and culture community.
Despite its challenges, we look forward to this legislative season, rolling out our multi-year policy agenda, and fighting the good fight with you by our side. Please join in by sending your annual membership gift today.
Sincerely,
Deborah Obalil, President, RI Citizens for the Arts
