HR161

WHEREAS, the coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact on the nation's creative economy, with many in the art, music, theater, dance, photography, fashion design, architecture, film, and publishing industries suffering immense losses in sales of goods and services, employment, and earnings; and

WHEREAS, not only have those in the creative industries and creative occupations suffered disproportionately due to the coronavirus, but creativity has been diminished in schools and universities with students, educators, and artists being unable to gather, perform, hold art and cultural events, and pursue their studies, which has further led to significant losses to arts education and the humanities; and

WHEREAS, creative persons are fundamental to society and essential to a robust economy and, particularly during this pandemic, have kept people grounded and inspired optimism, thus helping people find their way through chaos and uncertainty while helping people heal; and

WHEREAS, creative persons also embrace new ideas and possibilities, inspire collective thinking, and contribute to a better understanding of the world and among people; and

WHEREAS, the arts and humanities, whether through history, philosophy and religion, modern and ancient languages and literatures, fine and performing arts, media and cultural studies, or other fields, are sources of vast creativity, innovation, and learning; and

WHEREAS, a broad-based effort by the public and private sectors, arts and cultural organizations, economic development groups, and the community is needed to build and foster creativity in the State; and

WHEREAS, public funding for the arts, humanities, and other creative art forms leads to a high return on investment that benefits every Hawaii resident in communities throughout the State; and

WHEREAS, those in creative industries, creative occupations, and creative fields of study contribute to the State's and nation's economies and well-being through innovation, inspiration, and opportunities for growth; and

WHEREAS, in 2021, the Legislature adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 242, S.D.1, H.D. 1 (S.C.R. No. 242), which called for the convening of a Creative Resurgence Task Force to build and foster creativity and innovation through the arts, culture, and humanities in the State; and

WHEREAS, the Creative Resurgence Task Force was requested to examine and determine measures and establish policies and programs to support and encourage access to the creative sector and advance and diversify the creative economy and report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2022; and

WHEREAS, the Creative Resurgence Task Force has met several times since the adoption of S.C.R. No. 242, with fruitful discussions and work product; and

WHEREAS, S.C.R. No. 242 established a sunset date of June 30, 2022, for the Creative Resurgence Task Force; and

WHEREAS, the Creative Resurgence Task Force needs additional time to conduct its work as requested pursuant to S.C.R. No. 242; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2022, that the Creative Resurgence Task Force is requested to continue to examine and determine measures and establish policies and programs to build and foster creativity and innovation through the arts, culture, and humanities in the State, as specified in Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 242, H.D. 1 (2021); and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Creative Resurgence Task Force is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2023; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Creative Resurgence Task Force is requested to dissolve upon submittal of its report to the Legislature or on June 30, 2024, whichever occurs later; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Director of Labor and Industrial Relations; Director of Taxation; President of the University of Hawaii; Dean of the College of Arts, Languages, and Letters of the University of Hawaii at Manoa; Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences of the University of Hawaii at Hilo; University of Hawaii West O‘ahu Chancellor; Executive Director of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts; Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts, City and County of Honolulu; and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawai‘i Alliance for Arts Education.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Creative Resurgence Task Force; Extension

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	161
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII