Proclaiming April 28, 2026, to Be "Arts Day in Rhode Island"

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 April 28, 2026 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.