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WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced a bill to boost the creative economy and support the development of jobs and arts businesses in Michigan, Hawaii, Texas, and across the nation. The Comprehensive Resources for Entrepreneurs in the Arts to Transform the Economy (CREATE) Act of 2022 would support artists, entrepreneurs and workers in growing their businesses, accessing federal resources and funding, and expanding their networks with local communities.

“From the beats of Motown to the Henry Ford Museum; and from the Michigan Opera Theatre to the local galleries, museums, artisans and entrepreneurs that enrich our towns and cities – Michigan’s diverse and vibrant arts community is part of the fabric of our state and a driving force for economic innovation and competitiveness,” said Dingell. “The arts and culture sector brings in about $13.9 billion for Michigan’s economy – including providing over 120,000 jobs to Michiganders. It is critical that we continue to invest in and grow this vital industry and support artists, especially during this pandemic, which is why I am proud to introduce the CREATE Act with Senators Schatz and Cornyn. This legislation invests in our workforce and creative industries, while ensuring artists have the resources to grow their business and share their artwork so we can continue to attract visitors to our state and create jobs.”

“Local artists, writers, performers, and the creative industry they support play a leading role in our economy and our everyday lives. As the creative economy begins to rebuild from the pandemic, we have an opportunity to make key federal investments that will create new jobs and help the creative industry reach its full potential,” said Senator Schatz.

“The world knows about the Lone Star State and our rich culture thanks to the creative Texans who have chronicled our way of life for hundreds of years,” said Senator Cornyn. “This legislation would support the Texas writers, singers, artists, and arts entrepreneurs whose work helps drive our economy.” 

“The co-sponsors of the CREATE Act, Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-12) and Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) know that the rapidly changing U.S. economy requires investment in small business that specialize in creative industries,” said Deb Polich, Artrain and Creative Washtenaw, Ann Arbor, MI. “Creative Washtenaw is grateful to these leaders for their bipartisan sponsorship of the CREATE Act. The CREATE Act sets policy and invests in the arts and creative industries, artists and creative workers whose products, programs and services have an undeniable impact on the communities they serve. The arts and creative industries are imperative to the quality of life, place and economy of our communities, states and country.”

The CREATE Act would:

• Expand the Microloan Program qualifications to include artists and arts entrepreneurs, or small businesses, that support the creative economy;
• Provide support to State, regional, and local art agencies, artist, and creative workers through traditional economic development tools;
• Direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to develop procedures on evaluating the business proposals and plans of non-employer business and small business concerns that focus on varying aspects with regard to the creative economy;
• Additionally task the SBA with partnering with relevant stake holders to develop a technical assistance program that targets the specific needs of artist and arts entrepreneurs; and
• Establish a demonstration program to assess the feasibility of providing planning grants support to local arts agencies and nonprofits.

The CREATE Act is endorsed by Americans for the Arts, Artrain, and Creative Washtenaw. To view the full text of the bill, please click here.

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