Designates August of each year as "American Artist Appreciation Month" in New Jersey.

AJR154

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 154

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED MARCH 10, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman� CAROL A. MURPHY

District 7 (Burlington)

SYNOPSIS

���� Designates August of each year as �American Artist
Appreciation Month� in New Jersey.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A Joint
Resolution
designating August of each year as �American Artist
Appreciation Month� in New Jersey.

Whereas,

�Artists are the backbone of American culture, creating the paintings,
sculptures, music, and theater for which the United States is renowned and
helping to define and shape American identity; and

Whereas,

�Many significant visual art movements have been pioneered by American artists,
including Pop Art, Luminism, and Photorealism; and

Whereas,

�American musicians have been at the forefront of the global music industry for
decades, popularizing genres of music like jazz, country, and rock and roll;
and

Whereas,

�American artists like Norman Rockwell, Mary Cassatt and Ansel Adams have
developed new media and artistic styles while using artwork to spark dialogues
exploring important issues of the time like women�s suffrage and environmental
protection; and

Whereas,

�The arts industry is a substantial part of the United States� economy and
generates 12 billion dollars for local, state, and federal governments, more
than twice the amount of funding received by the government, and supports 2.3
million jobs nationwide; and

Whereas,

�Exhibits and performances by American artists stimulate other areas of the
economy through audience attendance, like food service, clothing and retail,
lodging and transportation, and tourism; and

Whereas,

�New Jersey has always had a special relationship with the arts and has been
home to many distinguished artists across all media, including painter Roy
Lichtenstein, singer Whitney Houston, and actor Joe Pesci; and

Whereas,

�New Jersey boasts many notable museums, theatres, and arenas where exhibits
and performances by celebrated American artists are hosted; and

Whereas,

�The arts industry currently accounts for 3.7 percent of New Jersey�s GDP,
generates 41 million dollars in revenue for State and local governments, and
accounts for 25,000 jobs in the State; and

Whereas,
�
The film and television industry in New Jersey has been growing due to the tax
credit approved by the Legislature in 2018, and is forecasted to continue
growing as the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic dissipate; and

Whereas,

�Despite the challenge of obtaining adequate funding in an era of decreased
arts spending, American artists continue to create, entertain, influence, and
inspire; and

Whereas,
�It is fitting to designate
the month of August as �American Artist Appreciation Month� to acknowledge the
many American artists who have created and continue to create works of art that
inspire New Jersey residents and Americans nationwide; now, therefore,

����
Be It
Resolved
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� The month of August of
each year shall be designated as �American Artist Appreciation Month� in New
Jersey to recognize and celebrate the many American artists who create
inspirational and innovative works of art.

���� 2.��� The Governor is
respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing August as
�American Artist Appreciation Month� in New Jersey and calling upon
institutions of learning and culture to observe the month with appropriate
activities and programs.

���� 3.��� This joint resolution
shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This resolution designates the
month of August each year as �American Artist Appreciation Month� in
recognition of the many valuable contributions of American artists to American
society and the arts industry as a whole.

���� The United States has a long
history of artistic creation that reflects many different influences,
innovations, and time periods. American artists have contributed significantly
to visual and performing arts and have pioneered many artistic movements in the
arts industry.� Visual arts have been transformed by Pop Art, Luminism, and
Photorealism, all movements which were led by American artists.� American
musicians have consistently been trailblazers in the music industry,
popularizing many genres of music, including jazz, country, and rock and roll
music.� The many different artistic media and styles offer something to
everyone, and by connecting with artists through their work, consumers are able
to explore and consider different viewpoints on important issues.

���� In addition to creating
beautiful pieces of artwork that can stand the test of time, modern American
artists contribute significantly to the nation�s economy.� The arts industry is
one of the largest industries in the country.� The arts industry is responsible
for 4.7 percent of the country�s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), generates more
than twice as much revenue for local, state, and federal governments as the
industry receives in government funding, supports 2.3 million jobs, and
stimulates other industries, like food service, clothing and retail, and
lodging and transportation, through live events.� The film and television
industry in New Jersey has been growing in recent years, due to the tax credit
approved by the Legislature in 2018, and is forecasted to continue growing as
the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic dissipate.� In New Jersey, the
arts industry currently accounts for 41 million dollars of revenue for State
and local governments, as well as 25,000 jobs.

���� New Jersey has always had a
special relationship with the arts. The state is home to many prominent artists
across all media, and boasts numerous museums, theatres, and arenas where
exhibits and performances by American artists are hosted.� It is fitting for
the State of New Jersey to designate the month of August each year as �American
Artist Appreciation Month� in recognition of the many American artists who
create works of art that inspire New Jersey residents and Americans across the
country.