THE GREATER COLUMBUS ARTS COUNCIL ENDORSES ISSUE 1 Income tax increase will help maintain quality of life for residents

The board of the Greater Columbus Arts Council at its June 23 meeting unanimously voted to endorse Issue 1, the Columbus income tax increase.

“We enjoy a great quality of life in Columbus because the City of Columbus has been a responsible steward of its resources over the years,” said Mary Jo Green, GCAC board chair, in a statement following the meeting. Green added that although the arts do not directly benefit from the city’s general fund, a healthy general fund enables the city to use designated funding from the hotel/motel tax to help fund arts and culture organizations.

“Our arts and culture organizations are helping families by providing many free- and low-cost entertainment and cultural options,” she said. Nonprofit arts organizations are also an economic development engine for the city, generating $4 in city tax revenue for each dollar the city invests in grants through GCAC. Just last month, a study by Community Research Partners showed that central Ohioans working in arts-related fields generate $3 billion in sales, nearly $1 million in wages and $67 million in state and local taxes. Furthermore, a robust creative economy is necessary to attract and retain young workers who will help our city flourish.

“We realize there are many needs for public funding during these stressful economic times. At the same time, arts and culture play an important role in the future economic health and vitality of our community,” she added.

About the Greater Columbus Arts Council: Through vision and leadership, advocacy and collaboration, the Greater Columbus Arts Council supports art and advances the culture of the region. A catalyst for excellence and innovation, we fund exemplary artists and arts organizations and provide programs, events and services of public value that educate and engage all audiences in our community. GCAC thanks the City of Columbus, Franklin County, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Ohio Arts Council for their continued support of all our programs.