On January 10, the Creative Workforce Investment Act, a bipartisan legislation aimed at empowering the creative workforce and providing greater access to the arts, was introduced in the House by Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM), Congressman Jay Obernolte (R-CA), and Congressman Ted Lieu (D-CA) with its companion bill introduced in the Senate by Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM).
The National Guild for Community Arts Education's Executive Director, Quanice Floyd, lent her support of the bill stating, “This legislation provides necessary funding to arts and creative workforce programs to ensure that the arts and arts education is accessible to everyone. We are particularly proud of the Congresswoman and Senator’s support of community arts education by acknowledging the need for holistic experiences of arts education learning through in and out-of-school programming in the legislation. This bill reinforces the importance of arts and arts education and provides a pathway to such a critical investment in the country. We are thankful for the Congresswoman and Senator’s support of the arts and arts education in this bill.”
“In New Mexico, we know that our creative economy — the people who make the beautiful art we get to enjoy — have the power to move us all while creating good-paying jobs and growing our economy,” said Congresswoman Leger Fernández. “We often overlook this economic engine and don’t invest publicly in this important industry the same way we do in agriculture or manufacturing. This bill would change that, it will create a new, competitive grant program so every community in America has the chance to capitalize on the transformative power of art, so artists have the backing they need to create innovative public art, and so our creative economy can continue to grow and thrive.”
"Background:
Key provisions of the Creative Workforce Investment Act include:
- National Grants for Arts and Creative Workforce Programs: Establishes a grants program to support arts and creative workforce initiatives that create publicly accessible art while employing individuals in the local community.
- Uses of Funds: Specifies a range of programs eligible for funding, including concerts, storytelling initiatives, murals, films, theatrical productions, and support for arts in educational and community spaces, among others.
- Reporting Requirements: Mandates annual reporting to Congress on grant outcomes, employment duration, earnings, and employment status of individuals involved in the programs.
- Authorization of Appropriations: Authorizes $300 million in appropriations for fiscal years 2024 through 2026 to support the program."
Read the entire press release here.
Published: January 30, 2024