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H8479
2026 -- H 8479
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LC006033
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING APRIL 28, 2026, TO BE "ARTS DAY IN RHODE ISLAND"
Introduced By:
Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Carson, Chippendale, Hull,
Kennedy, Tanzi, Ajello, Fellela, and Cortvriend
Date Introduced:
April 28, 2026
Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, Arts and culture are embedded in every community, play a unique role in
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the lives of our families, and contribute to livability, economic vitality, and enrichment of every
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Rhode Islander; and
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WHEREAS, Arts and culture are a source of strength, solace, and connection; and
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WHEREAS, The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, reports that the arts sector
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represented 3.3 percent of Rhode Island’s GDP—supporting nearly 18,000 jobs; and
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WHEREAS, Our artists’ small businesses are a substantive component of economic
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impact; and
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WHEREAS, Because of the arts, event attendees have a ripple effect on neighboring
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businesses, downtowns, and tourism – spending on average $38 in restaurants, shops, and other
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local establishments in addition to buying an event ticket; and
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WHEREAS, An 11-year study recently reported that during a school year, each student
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enrolled in an arts course had an increase of a third of a day in attendance. This increase translates
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to nine additional days of instruction – showing arts education can lead to improved academic
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performance and school attendance; and
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WHEREAS, The arts and culture embody much of the accumulated wisdom, intellect and
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imagination of humankind; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
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proclaims April 28, 2026 to be "Arts Day in Rhode Island", and encourage all Rhode Islanders to
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reflect on how arts and culture enrich their lives and recognize the critical role arts and culture
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play in our communities; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts
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(RISCA) and the Rhode Island Coalition for the Arts.
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LC006033
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