PRINTER'S NO. 1838
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
383
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY COSTA AND BROWNE, JUNE 11, 2018
REFERRED TO COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT,
JUNE 11, 2018
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish an
advisory committee to conduct a study relating to cultural
and creative districts and to report its findings and
recommendations to the Senate.
WHEREAS, State agencies throughout our nation are
increasingly adopting and implementing policies for place-based
economic development and community revitalization through arts
and culture; and
WHEREAS, Designating cultural and creative districts
consolidates highly adaptable economic, community and
recreational development tools in urban and rural settings to
distinguish the unique conditions, assets, needs and
opportunities of a community; and
WHEREAS, Sustaining cultural and creative districts as hubs
of economic activity supports jobs and enhances creative
development, civic identity and tourism; and
WHEREAS, Sustaining cultural and creative districts as
marketable tourism assets highlights the distinct identity of
communities, draws in-State, out-of-State and international
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visitors and strengthens ancillary businesses such as
restaurants and lodging; and
WHEREAS, By integrating many types of businesses, cultural
and creative districts drive commercial and industrial
development as well as investment in the arts and entertainment
for the benefit of area residents, visitors, public and private
institutions and regional networks; and
WHEREAS, Cultural and creative districts showcase existing
attractions, features and amenities and recruit new artists,
businesses and organizations; and
WHEREAS, Adaptive reuse and rehabilitation of historic
properties, including facade and structural improvements, is a
common activity in cultural and creative districts; and
WHEREAS, The nonprofit arts industry in this Commonwealth
generates $3.4 billion in total economic activity annually and
$400 million in State and local government revenue; and
WHEREAS, The nonprofit arts industry in this Commonwealth
supports the full-time equivalent of 100,000 jobs that produce
$2.2 billion in household income; and
WHEREAS, The Pittsburgh Cultural District is credited with
promoting Pittsburgh's economic resurgence and providing a
foundation for the downtown neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, States that are using formal programs to encourage
and promote cultural and creative districts are adopting
policies that include:
(1) certifying districts;
(2) setting standards for certification;
(3) providing technical assistance;
(4) ensuring broad and equitable eligibility for
participation;
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(5) implementing incentive programs, including tax
incentives, to attract businesses, artists and organizations;
(6) prioritizing State assistance for entities within
districts;
(7) providing marketing and promotions; and
(8) offering a supportive environment for arts and
culture;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate direct the Joint State Government
Commission to establish an advisory committee of 18 members
consisting of experts in the arts, cultural districts, municipal
government and community and economic development; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the membership of the committee be balanced so
that it encompasses a wide range of backgrounds and viewpoints;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the advisory committee contain the following
individuals:
(1) the Secretary of Community and Economic Development
or the secretary's designee;
(2) the executive director of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania Council on the Arts or the executive director's
designee;
(3) the managing director of the Citizens for the Arts
in Pennsylvania or the managing director's designee;
(4) the chief executive officer of the Greater
Pittsburgh Arts Council or the chief executive officer's
designee;
(5) the President of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural
Alliance or the president's designee;
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(6) the executive director of the Pennsylvania Downtown
Center or the executive director's designee;
(7) the president of the Pennsylvania Restaurant and
Lodging Association or the president's designee;
(8) the president of the County Commissioners
Association of Pennsylvania or the president's designee;
(9) the president of the Pennsylvania Municipal League
or the president's designee;
(10) the executive director of the Pennsylvania
Humanities Council or the executive director's designee;
(11) the executive director of the Pennsylvania
Historical and Museum Commission or the executive director's
designee;
(12) the executive director of PA Museums or the
executive director's designee; and
(13) six members of the public who are experts in
promoting, marketing and encouraging arts, culture and the
humanities as applied to economic, community and recreational
development;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, working
with the advisory committee, identify:
(1) the number of existing cultural or creative
districts in this Commonwealth and their location and
history;
(2) differences between urban and rural cultural
districts;
(3) trends and models of Pennsylvania cultural and
creative districts and how they compare to those in other
states;
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(4) the types of businesses, organizations, artists,
facilities and other physical assets that are common to
cultural and creative districts;
(5) the impact of creative and cultural districts on the
built environment, including rehabilitating historic,
abandoned or blighted properties;
(6) organizational and financial structures which
support the cultural and creative districts;
(7) jobs supported within cultural and creative
districts and new employment opportunities that can be
generated through private, public or private-public
activities; and
(8) best practices in other states for providing support
to cultural and creative districts;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the final report include recommendations to
implement necessary changes in State statutes, practices,
policies and procedures relating to cultural and creative
districts; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission report
its findings and recommendations to the Senate no later than 15
months from the adoption of this resolution.
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