Hawaii Senate Bill SR119

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/11/22
• Refer: 3/16/22

Caption

Requesting The State Foundation On Culture And The Arts To Spend Not Less Than Percent Of The Expenditures Of Funds In The Works Of Art Special Fund In Each Fiscal Year For The Commissioning Of Statues At New State Buildings.

Impact

The resolution acknowledges the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Hawaii's creative industry, highlighting the need for state support to stimulate recovery and growth. By ensuring a dedicated funding stream for public art, particularly statues that represent Hawaii's diverse cultural heritage, the resolution aims to enhance the aesthetic and cultural value of new state buildings while also providing economic benefits through job creation in the creative sector.

Summary

Senate Resolution 119 requests the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to allocate a minimum percentage of the funds from the Works of Art Special Fund each fiscal year for the commissioning of statues at new state buildings. The resolution emphasizes the importance of Hawaii's unique creative and cultural sectors, which contribute significantly to the state's economy and employment. In 2018, Hawaii's creative sector was recorded to have added approximately $4.2 billion to the state's GDP and support over 53,000 jobs.

Contention

As SR119 strives to bolster the visibility and presence of public art in Hawaii, it may encounter discussions about fiscal responsibility and prioritization of funding. While supporters may argue that investing in the arts fosters community pride and tourism, critics may question whether dedicating state funds for commissioning statues is the best use of public resources, especially in a climate where many sectors are still recovering from the economic fallout of the pandemic.