Community Corner

Thanks R.I. State Senate For Arts Tax-Exemption

NK's Ellen Waxman writes, "We're about to shape history, and become America's first state in the country to declare a statewide tax-exemption on the arts. This is something to celebrate!"

A letter from Ellen Waxman

Rhode Island lawmakers get a lot of criticism and I would like to bring attention to and thank a few that I was in touch with over this past year. They went out of their way to fight hard for a cause that I'm passionate about... using the arts as an economic engine to stimulate our economy and to elevate our state's identity to become the Creative Capitol... a "State of the Arts." We're already known for our diverse arts community, and with the arts legislation that just passed, we now have the opportunity to become known for our creative talent, creative industries and innovation.  

We're about to shape history, and become America's first state in the country to declare a statewide tax-exemption on the arts. This is something to celebrate!
Above all, I want to thank Senate President Theresa Paiva-Weed, who was the primary sponsor of the Senate's arts legislation that was just approved. She has been a strong supporter of the arts, and when her fiscal studies revealed promise, she really took the ball and ran with it. Senator James Sheehan was a co-sponsor and also deserves credit. He was very obliging about communicating with me, and worked very hard to build a strong case for this legislation.

Speaker Gordon Fox could see the economic potential for this, and was enthusiastic about promoting Rhode Island as a destination for the arts. He graciously invited me to meet with him, and was also quick to follow up and study this. Representative Donna Walsh was the primary sponsor of the House arts bill and let me know how things were progressing as did co-sponsor Representative Frank Ferri. Although I'm not one of his constituents, he took the time to drive to Wickford to meet with me about this.

North Kingstown Town Manager Michael Embury and Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian both saw the merit for this statewide legislation from the perspective of equity among communities, and wrote letters of support.

Randy Rosenbaum, Director of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts advised me through what was sometimes a bumpy legislative process. He deserves acknowledgment for his long career as an educator, facilitator, advocate, and leader. He has helped bring the arts into our daily lives, and I share his vision for how the arts can lead Rhode Island towards a brighter future.

Ellen Waxman owns Five Main Art Gallery in Wickford. You can check out the Arts tax exemption Facebook page here.


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