Drafter
Clerk 01/15/2014
Title
A MOTION supporting passage of state legislation enabling creation of cultural access funds.
Body
WHEREAS, arts, science and heritage organizations help make Washington a great place to live, work and play, and
WHEREAS, access to arts, heritage and science experiences advances education, enhances the economy, enriches our quality of life and strengthens our communities, and
WHEREAS, an ArtsFund Economic Impact Study found that spending by King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish county arts, cultural and scientific organizations and spending by their patrons supported 32,520 jobs and generated nearly $2 billion in business activity in 2009, and
WHEREAS, communities that are home to vibrant cultural organizations are more competitive for high quality workers and enjoy greater economic prosperity. For more rural communities, it allows for support to heritage sites, local festivals and family programs, and
WHEREAS, Americans for the Arts reported that 2012 data from The College Board, a leading advocate and resource for excellence and equity in education, shows that students who took four years of arts and music classes while in high school scored about 100 points better on their SATs than students who took only one-half year or less, and
WHEREAS, this legislation would enable counties to create cultural access funds to support cultural organizations at the local level; and these funds would enable thousands of citizens and K-12 students greater access to cultural and educational activities through free and reduced-priced admissions, expanded experiences at schools or on-site, and increased outreach activities in underserved populations, and
WHEREAS, new policies are needed in Washington to enable local governments to increase access to these educational experiences, and
WHEREAS, the states of Colorado, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Missouri have adopted legislation authorizing the use of special tax districts to support arts and cultural organizations;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. The council acknowledges the importance of arts, heritage and science organizations and their impact on the quality of life in the Puget Sound region; and
B. The council supports passage of state legislation that would enable local
governments to create cultural access funds that would increase access to cultural experiences for children and adults across Washington.