HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRO-2024-022- Proclamation Designating October 2024 as Arts and Humanities Month 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
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