Gov. Donald Carcieri '65 has proclaimed October 2010 Arts and Humanities Month in Rhode Island, corresponding with President Obama's declaration of October as National Arts and Humanities Month Oct. 1.
"The State of Rhode Island has clear evidence that the arts and humanities contribute significantly to our quality of life, the education of our citizens and the economy of our state," Carcieri's official proclamation reads.
Carcieri also called on citizens to join him in "celebrating and promoting the arts and culture in our nation and our state, and to specifically encourage greater participation in taking action for the arts and humanities in our cities and towns."
President Obama expressed similar sentiments in his proclamation. "As we work to bring the power of the arts and humanities to all Americans, my Administration remains committed to providing our children with an education that inspires as it informs. Exposing our students to disciplines in music, dance, drama, design, writing and fine art is an important part of that mission," the proclamation stated.
October has been recognized as National Arts and Humanities Month since 1993, though this is the first year that Rhode Island has explicitly participated.
Nonprofit artistic and cultural activities generate $750 million yearly and 13,000 jobs throughout the state, according to Carcieri's proclamation. These numbers may increase this year, with nearly $900,000 awarded to artists and arts organizations in the State Arts Council's last round of grants, according to a July 6 government press release.
In addition, Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Roberts '78 won a Lieutenant Governors Arts Leadership Award earlier this year, according to a July 28 release.
Randall Rosenbaum, executive director of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, and Mary-Kim Arnold, executive director of the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities, applauded Carcieri's decision, according to an Oct. 12 press release. The two organizations, along with the City of Providence's Department of Art, Culture and Tourism, Rhode Island Citizens for the Arts and artistic idea-sharing forum Pecha Kucha Providence, will celebrate the occasion with an open "Creative Conversations" conference on creative and social entrepreneurship Oct. 27 at Firehouse 13, according to the Rhode Island Citizens for the Arts website.
