HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-18-2022; 4-b - Proclamation Designating October 2022 as Arts and Humanities Month 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: October 18, 2022
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-b
SUBJECT: Proclamation Designating October 2022 as Arts and Humanities Month
DEPARTMENT: County Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Katie Murray, Arts Commission Director,
Proclamation 919-245-2335
Renee Price, BOCC Chair, 919-245-
2130
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation designating October 2022 as Arts and Humanities Month
in Orange County.
BACKGROUND: Each year, the month of October is recognized as National Arts and Humanities
Month. This recognition acknowledges the impact of the arts and humanities on civic and human
health, as well as the economic impact made by the arts industry on a national and local scale.
The attached proclamation recognizes October 2022 as Arts and Humanities Month in Orange
County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the
proclamation.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated
with consideration of the proclamation.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with consideration of the proclamation.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the
Chair to sign the attached proclamation recognizing October 2022 as Arts and Humanities Month
in Orange County.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
ARTS AND HUMANITIES MONTH — OCTOBER 2022
WHEREAS, the nation's 120,000 nonprofit arts organizations, the National Endowment for the
Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the nation's 4,500 local arts agencies in
communities across the country, and the arts and humanities councils of the 50 states and the
six jurisdictions and districts of the United States annually have issued official proclamations
designating October as National Arts and Humanities Month; and
WHEREAS, cities and states — through their local and state arts agencies representing
thousands of cultural organizations — have celebrated the value and importance of culture in
the lives of Americans and the health of thriving communities during National Arts and
Humanities Month for nearly 30 years; and
WHEREAS, the humanities help diverse communities across the United States explore their
history and culture with the support and partnership of the National Endowment for the
Humanities, the 50 state and six jurisdiction and district humanities councils, and local
educational and cultural institutions; and
WHEREAS, the arts and humanities embody so much of the accumulated wisdom, intellect,
and imagination of humankind, and also enhance and enrich the lives of everyone in America;
and
WHEREAS, despite significant losses due to the coronavirus pandemic, the creative industries
remain among the most vital sectors of the American economy, providing new opportunities for
developing cities, creating jobs and economic activity within their own industry and across
sectors, and making communities attractive to business development; and
WHEREAS, the nation's arts and culture sector—including nonprofit, commercial and education
— is an $877 billion industry that supports 4.6 million jobs representing 4.2% of the nation's
economy, a larger share of the GDP than powerhouse sectors such as agriculture,
transportation, and utilities (2020); and
WHEREAS, the nation's arts and culture sector additionally boasts a $33 billion international
trade surplus (2019); and
WHEREAS, the nonprofit arts industry of Orange County has generated $12.4 million in local
and state government revenue and $130.3 million in economic activity (2015) annually by
organizations and audiences—including $36.6 million of spending beyond the cost of admission
on items such as meals, parking, and lodging by arts event attendees — making the arts a vital
income source for local businesses;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County, North Carolina
does hereby proclaim October 2022 as Arts and Humanities Month in Orange County and calls
upon community members to celebrate and promote the arts and culture throughout the region,
state and nation, and to participate in sustaining the vibrancy of the arts and humanities for the
betterment of society.
This the 18th day of October, 2022.
Renee Price, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners