Arts + Preservation = Jobs

Every Rhode Islander will benefit from a more vibrant economy, more jobs and greater access to arts and historic sites.

From Woonsocket to Westerly, our local arts and preservation community is a proven economic engine that creates good jobs, boosts our state’s tourism efforts, and improves the quality of life for all Rhode Islanders.

We already know that investments in Rhode Island’s creative economy work.

In both 2014 and 2021, voters overwhelmingly approved arts-related bond measures, securing a total of $42 million support capital improvements to the cultural infrastructure of Rhode Island.

The results of these recent bond measures speak for themselves:

Return on investment

Every state dollar invested in the arts generated roughly $3 in spending. The $35 million Creative & Cultural Economy Bond in 2014 supported nearly 70 construction and renovation projects across Rhode Island, totaling more than $105 million spent by local organizations, with local companies, staffed by local workers.

Jobs

Job Creation

More than 490 Rhode Island companies from all 39 cities and towns were engaged to work on the projects funded by the 2014 and 2021 bond measures.

Massive, statewide reach

In addition to the organizations named in Question 5, this bond will support arts organizations all across the state through 1:1 matching grants administered by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts. From theater-goers who now have an opportunity to enjoy performances in freshly renovated facilities, to families who can now sign their kids up for a new summer class, nearly 2 million individuals (including more than 400,000 children and nearly 20,000 artists) have benefitted from the 2014 and 2021 investments.

How you can help

Thank you for your interest in supporting the effort to pass Question 5 on Tuesday, November 5.

Here’s how you can help pass Question 5!

Sign on as a supporter. We will remind you to vote on November 5 and send you suggestions on other ways you can support our efforts during the next few weeks. We will not be soliciting for funds at any time.

If you represent an arts, cultural or preservation organization and would like to join our Coalition, please click here

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