Support funding for the arts

To the editor:
Thank you for articulating the importance the arts play in the Rhode Island economy in your recent editorial (R.I. artists are engines for growth,” Jan. 28). You quite succinctly captured the tangible result of the innovative and creative minds that live among us, and that also brings strength to us economically.
At a time when our country is challenged by outsourcing, Rhode Island may be in the best place to incubate what still remains a strength for the United States: innovation and design. And how lucky are we that we have the brightest and the best right here in our state.
The creative spirit of the arts community continues to support a quality of life desired by most. As you have written, together this helps us stand out in the crowd. Investing in the arts in Rhode Island encourages an upward spiral out of our economic difficulties.
We concur with your thoughts on support for the R.I. Economic Development Corporation, Slater Fund and Historic Tax Credit program – all very much a necessity to the future economic development of our state. We would also point out that support for the arts at the state level includes the need to continue current budget funding for the R.I. State Council for the Arts, if not support an increase.
While artists can find creative ways to sustain themselves, this community is in constant jeopardy given the rapid change in business, development and the economy. As you point out, developers’ money tends to follow artists, and more often than not the result of this is displacement of this very community.
The R.I. State Council for the Arts is responsible for keeping state funds in each community throughout Rhode Island by directly funding our local artists and arts organizations. In fact, for every dollar invested in the arts by the state (through RISCA), $17 is made in return.
To further the point, one only needs to look to Americans for the Arts’ 2007 “Arts & Economic Impact III” study of Providence that found the nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $111.8 million in economic activity to our capital city, more than twice the national average. Most importantly though, the survey does not include the impact of individual artists, such as Clay Rockefeller, Nick Bauta, J. Hogue and Mike Lozano, who are mentioned in Natalie Myers’ feature story accompanying your editorial. (“Developer hats fitting local artists,” Jan. 28)
We applaud you for your thoughts and leadership in representing the arts as an economic engine in the state of Rhode Island. And we certainly hope our legislative leaders are listening.

Lisa Carnevale, Director, R.I. Citizens for the Arts; Co-Director, Partnership for
Creative Industrial Space

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