Authorizing hearings to be conducted to investigate methods to enhance new and emerging local artists' access to locally subsidized arts, entertainment and cultural venues in Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Increasing new and emerging local artists' access to local venues will create and enrich a strong sense of community identity and promote a high quality of life. Art is part of the cultural thread that ties generations of citizens together, creating opportunities for expression, reflection, participation, understanding and education; and

WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia directly invests over $21 million in the arts, entertainment and cultural venues. This investment creates jobs, generates revenue, and facilitates the growth of industries that stabilize the communities in which they are located by attracting businesses and tourists; and

WHEREAS, Arts and culture in Philadelphia has a $3.3 billion annual impact on the local economy. The Greater Philadelphia region's cultural sector ranks first in the nation in job creation, generating 44,000 jobs in nearly every industry and in every community; and

WHEREAS, Arts and culture generates revenue for both the Commonwealth as well as for local governments. Cultural fueled economic activity in the Philadelphia region generates $95 million in state taxes and $74 million for municipalities in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Certain local venues devote only de minimis portions of their business to new and emerging local artists; and

WHEREAS, The Council of the City of Philadelphia desires to engage in a dialogue with local artists and the proprietors of local venues for the purpose of creating solution to any perceived or real impediments to local artists' access to showcasing their talents in local arts, entertainment and cultural venues; and

WHEREAS, A “local venue” shall be defined as any art, entertainment, or cultural venue that leases City land, or receives funding from the Philadelphia Cultural Fund or any other City government department or office; and

WHEREAS, A “local artist” shall be defined as any artist or entertainer able to prove residency within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Council of the City of Philadelphia, for the purpose of engaging in a dialogue with local artists and the proprietors of local venues, hereby authorizes hearings to be conducted to investigate methods to enhance new and emerging local artists' access to arts, entertainment, and cultural venues in Philadelphia.

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