HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-15-2024; 4-c - Proclamation Designating October 2024 as Arts and Humanities Month 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: October 15, 2024
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-c
SUBJECT: Proclamation Designating October 2024 as Arts and Humanities Month
DEPARTMENT: County Manager— Arts
Commission
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Katie Murray, Arts Commission Director,
919-245-2335
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation designating October 2024 as Arts and Humanities Month
in Orange County.
BACKGROUND: The month of October each year is recognized on a national level as Arts and
Humanities Month. The attached proclamation for October 2024 recognizes 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.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with approval of the proclamation.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY
OBJECTIVE 7. Invest in services and programs that improve the health and quality of life
of the community (e.g., recreation and public open spaces, arts, etc.)
• GOAL 6: DIVERSE AND VIBRANT ECONOMY
OBJECTIVE 1. Provide family-oriented and inclusive programming or other cultural events
for residents and visitors.
OBJECTIVE 4. Provide resources to small, creative, and agro-businesses that add
character and quality of life to our community to attract employers, employees, and visitors.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the
Chair to sign the attached proclamation recognizing October 2024 as Arts and Humanities Month
in Orange County.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
ARTS AND HUMANITIES MONTH - OCTOBER 2024
WHEREAS, the nation's 120,000 nonprofit arts organizations, the National Endowment for the
Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the 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 U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reports the nation's arts and culture sector
— including nonprofit, commercial and education — is a $1.02 trillion industry that supports 4.9
million jobs representing 4.4% of the nation's economy, a larger share of the Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) than powerhouse sectors such as agriculture, transportation, and construction
(2021); and
WHEREAS, the nonprofit arts industry of Orange County has generated $15.8 million in local
and state government revenue and $107 million in economic activity (2022) annually by
organizations and audiences— including $22.3 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, we, the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County, North
Carolina, do hereby proclaim October 2024 as Arts and Humanities Month in Orange County
and call 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 15t" day of October, 2024.
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners