Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Jenniffer González-Colón (R-PR), along with Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), introduced a bill to boost the creative economy and support the development of jobs and arts businesses across the nation. The Comprehensive Resources for Entrepreneurs in the Arts to Transform the Economy (CREATE) Act 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 $15.5 billion for Michigan’s economy – including providing over 100,000 jobs to Michiganders. Importantly, the arts also play a key role in preserving our culture, bringing people together, and reminding us that we have much more in common than we often think, and that there’s more that unites us than divides us. The arts are worth investing in now more than ever.”
“I am proud to support initiatives that recognize the economic power of the arts and creative industries. That is why I’m cosponsoring the CREATE Act, a bill that expands support for small businesses in the arts and creative industries, including Puerto Rico, through measures such as inclusion in the SBA microloan program and provision of tailored technical assistance and funding opportunities,” said Rep. González-Colón. "Furthermore, this legislation supports and celebrates our cultural heritage, fostering innovation and economic resilience. With Puerto Rico's arts and culture industry contributing $180 million to the economy in 2022, creating nearly 3,000 jobs, this bill is crucial for empowering artistic entrepreneurship and driving economic growth on the island.”
“Local artists, writers, performers, and the creative industry they support are vital to our economy and enrich our daily lives,” said Senator Schatz. “Unlocking federal resources for creatives will generate jobs and help the industry reach its full potential.”
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 Etsy, eBay, Patreon, The Recording Academy, Americans for the Arts, Arts Workers United, National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations (NACEDA), National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, League of American Orchestras, The Educational Theatre Association, American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada, OPERA America, Dance/USA, Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF), Inspire Washington, New England Foundation for the Arts, Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP), Hawai‘i Arts Alliance, Creative Washtenaw, and Artrain.
