BILL NUMBER: ACR 85	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Jones

                        JANUARY 9, 2008

   Relative to Arts Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 85, as introduced, Jones. Arts Month.
   This measure would proclaim the month of February 2008 as Arts
Month. This measure also would declare the intent of the Legislature
to seriously address how the state can better organize itself to
preserve and foster the state's world-class arts and cultural
environment. This measure would recognize the economic, educational,
and civic value of preservation, public presentation, and promotion
of the arts, culture, and cultural heritage that provides access for
all Californians. This measure would declare that the Legislature
welcomes recommendations on additional actions, as appropriate, to
preserve the state's cultural and historic resources and to
strengthen administrative structures in state government responsible
for administration of those resources.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, California has more arts-related businesses and more
people employed in the creative industries than any other state. The
"Creative Industries Study" compiled by the Americans for the Arts in
January 2007, found that creative industry businesses provide the
essential fuel that drives the information economy and that the
state, as home to 86,534 arts-related businesses, institutions, and
organizations that employ 426,222 people, ranks first in the nation
with more firms within this economic sector than any other state; and

   WHEREAS, California's nonprofit arts organizations attract an
audience of 71.2 million annually and generate a $5.4 billion impact
on the state's economy, including the creation of 66,000 full-time
and 95,000 part-time jobs; and
   WHEREAS, The state's nonprofit arts organizations currently
generate nearly $300 million in state and local taxes; and
   WHEREAS, The arts in the state are a strong magnet for cultural
tourists, contributing to the state's ranking as the most visited
state in the nation, with the arts serving as a primary reason for
visiting the state for six million of the state's 44 million annual
tourists; and
   WHEREAS, Economist Richard Florida, in his book "The Rise of the
Creative Class," concludes that today's economy is shifting from an
information economy to an economy powered by human creativity and
innovation; and
   WHEREAS, A recent study by the Center for Arts and Culture finds
that providing all students with a complete education in the arts and
humanities is proven to help students think creatively, communicate
effectively, and work collaboratively in today's fast-paced,
technologically advanced global economy; and
   WHEREAS, The arts develop essential skills, such as creativity,
perception, and imagination, that fuel the state's high-tech and
entertainment industries, which are the state's most economically
lucrative sectors; and
   WHEREAS, Arts programs give at-risk and underprivileged youth
access to the resources needed for lifetime success in the workplace,
universities, schools, churches, businesses, and social service
agencies; and
   WHEREAS, Research by The California Endowment finds that
involvement in the arts is an unparalleled means for young people to
develop the strength, resiliency, and self-image that allow them to
participate in society on healthy terms; and
   WHEREAS, According to the "Strengthening Rural Economies through
the Arts," a 2005 report by the National Governor's Association, the
arts are important to states for two primary reasons: the arts
stimulate economic growth and job creation, and improve quality of
life; and
   WHEREAS, The arts give voice to the state's diverse communities
and serve as a cultural bridge, promoting tolerance and building
understanding while celebrating our many heritages; and
   WHEREAS, California, the world's eighth largest economy, has been
ranked lowest of the 50 states in per capita state investment in the
arts and culture since 2003; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature proclaims February 2008 to
be Arts Month; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature intends to seriously address how
the state can better organize itself to preserve and foster the state'
s world-class arts and cultural environment; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature recognizes the economic,
educational, and civic value of preservation, public presentation,
and promotion of the arts, culture, and cultural heritage that
provides access for all Californians; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature welcomes recommendations on
additional actions, as appropriate, to preserve the state's cultural
and historic resources and to strengthen administrative structures in
state government responsible for administration of those resources;
and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.