FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 31 2022
Regional Arts & Culture Council endorses the CREATIVE Act
(Capital, Repairs, and Employment for Art Talent to Improve Visibility Everywhere) Introduced by
Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR1)
Portland, Oregon —
We join arts and culture organizations and businesses across the nation, including the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Americans for the Arts (AFTA), Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF), Grantmakers in the Arts, Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon, and many others who believe that arts and culture are a vital part of what makes us human and enables us to thrive, share stories, connect, learn, and innovate. This act will support our arts organizations and grow our creative economy here in Oregon and the rest of the nation. The Capital, Repairs, and Employment for Art Talent to Improve Visibility Everywhere (CREATIVE) Act will be instrumental as arts organizations strive to recover from the pandemic. It will provide additional funds through grants to build or upgrade current facilities, produce art, reach underserved communities, and hire new staff.
“The arts are an integral part of our economy, help us better understand the world around us, and fuel authentic and meaningful community-building,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “Arts organizations were hit hard by the pandemic and many are still struggling to rebuild. The CREATIVE Act will provide the funding these important organizations need to restore their programming and create jobs in the creative sector.”
The CREATIVE Act builds on the NEA’s critical support for local arts agencies organizations by expanding their grantmaking capacity. Specifically, the CREATIVE Act would:
Expand Access to Capital for Facilities: The grants can be used to improve or upgrade facilities, hire new staff, and produce art;
Seek Community Input: Applicants must include how their community will benefit from these resources and how they plan to sustain their programs;
Reach Underserved Communities: Eligible applicants must focus on access to the arts, including arts education in underrepresented communities;
Create Strong Guardrails: The grants will involve reporting requirements and a procedure for returning unused or misspent funds;
Make Rural Outreach a Priority: At least 20% of total grant funds will be reserved for rural communities.
Last year, The Arts Education for All Act was introduced to address the gap in access to arts education, which has the potential to improve the lifelong health and achievement of both children and adults. RACC joined hundreds of other organizations across the country in the endorsement of this act. Once again, Oregon is a leader in advocating, promoting, and encouraging creative work to be part of the artscape in our communities through these legislative acts.
Carol Tatch, RACC’s Chief of External Operations, said “As we look to creating the future that our artists and creatives deserve, RACC sees this as another tool for our continuing recovery from recent health and environmental impacts and an essential building block for access, equity, and engagement in our shared communities. Please support this effort with full hearts and open minds. Let’s KEEP creating the world we want to live in.”
A one-page summary of the CREATIVE Act can be found here. The text of the legislation can be found here.
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The Regional Arts & Culture Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides grants for artists and nonprofit organizations in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties; manages an internationally acclaimed public art program; convenes forums, networking events and other community gatherings; and provides workshops and other forms of technical assistance. RACC advocates for equity, inclusion and access, working to build a community in which everyone can participate in culture, creativity and the arts. For more information visit racc.org.
MEDIA CONTACT
Mario Mesquita, Manager of Advocacy and Engagement, RACC