October 2021: Arts and Humanities Month

WHEREAS, the coronavirus has had a devastating impact on America's arts sector, with 99% of producing and presenting organizations having canceled events, and artists being among the most severely affected segment of the nation's workforce; yet notwithstanding this fact, the arts have helped collectively lead us throughout the darkest times of the pandemic-lifting our spirits, unifying communities, and jump-starting the economy;

 

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, and the arts and humanities councils of the 50 states and the six U.S. jurisdictions and districts have regularly issued official proclamations on an annual basis designating October as National Arts and Humanities Month; and,

 
WHEREAS, the arts and humanities embody much of the accumulated wisdom, intellect, and imagination of humankind; and,
 

WHEREAS, the arts and humanities enhance and enrich the lives of every American; and,

 

WHEREAS, the arts and humanities play a unique role in the lives of our families, our communities, and our country; 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 several 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 territorial and district humanities councils, and local educational and cultural institutions; and,

 
WHEREAS, the nation's arts and culture sector-nonprofit, commercial, and education-is a $919.7 billion industry that supports 5.2 million jobs-4.3% of the nation's economy-and boasts a $33 billion international trade surplus; and,

 

WHEREAS, the nonprofit arts industry alone generates $166.3 billion in economic activity annually-comprised of spending by organizations and their audiences-which supports 4.6 million jobs and generates $27.5 billion in government revenue; and,

 

WHEREAS, every attendee to an arts event spends on average $31.47 per person, per event, beyond the cost of admission on items such as meals, parking, and lodging-a vital income source for local businesses;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October as Arts and Humanities Month in Michigan and call upon our community members to celebrate and promote the arts and culture in our nation and to specifically encourage the greater participation by those said community members in taking action for the arts and humanities in their towns and cities.