Title
To designate the month of October 2011 as Arts and Humanities Month in Columbus.
Body
WHEREAS, the month of October has been recognized as National Arts and Humanities Month by thousands of arts and cultural organizations, communities, and states across the country since 1993; and
WHEREAS, National Arts and Humanities Month is the nation's largest collective annual celebration of the arts, and it encourages Americans to explore new facets of the arts and humanities in their lives, and to begin a lifelong habit of active participation in the arts and humanities; and
WHEREAS, numerous studies have indicated that children exposed to the arts score significantly higher on achievement tests than those deprived of arts education; and
WHEREAS, Americans for the Arts estimates that nationally, the nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $166.2 billion in economic activity every year - $63.1 billion in spending by organizations, and an additional $103.1 billion in event-related spending by their audiences; and
WHEREAS, a study coordinated by the Columbus College of Art & Design found that central Ohio's creative sector generates more than $3 billion a year in economic activity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That we do hereby proclaim October 2011 as Arts and Humanities Month in Columbus and encourage our residents to celebrate, support, and promote the arts and culture in our city.