April 29, 2015

This afternoon, Commissioner Fish was pleased to welcome the Arts Oversight Committee (AOC) to present their 2015 report to City Council.

The AOC, Chaired by Stan Penkin, is a public citizen group which oversees the Arts Education & Access Fund income tax (the “Arts Tax”). The AOC Report analyzes how nearly $7 million has been invested in our public schools and local arts organizations.

Thanks to the tax, more than 30,000 children, ages Kindergarten to 5th grade, are enjoying better arts education in our schools. And more than 80 teachers in 6 public schools districts are helping make it happen.

Council members were surprised by a few special guests from Capitol Hill Elementary School, the Metropolitan Learning Center (MLC), the Access Academy, Peninsula Elementary, and Glencoe Elementary School today. Student artists presented each Council member with a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork!

Nick is proud to display “Seasons” by MLC students Esja Mirti and Millie Jarvis in his office.

In addition to arts in our schools, the Regional Arts & Culture Council has invested millions in operating support for a number of local arts organizations thanks to the Arts Tax funding. They have also awarded special grants to organizations focused on increasing access to the arts for all.

Special thanks to the AOC, students, teachers and school districts, RACC, the City’s Revenue Division, and our local arts organizations for helping make the arts the heart of our community.

Read the AOC's full report online, or view a summary here.

And look for Nick's piece, "Arts Education Matters," coming soon in the May/June issue of Artslandia magazine!