Celebrate the Arts: October is National Arts & Humanities Month in PA
The arts touch our lives every day.
Even beyond looking at paintings and sculptures or listening to music and reading books, art is quite literally in everything we see – from the construction of our household furniture and the designs on our clothes, to the architecture we’re surrounded by and the ergonomic shape of the utensils we use.
Art – the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination – gives people things to admire, appreciate and adore. It’s something we should celebrate every day, but oftentimes the human-crafted beauty around us is taken for granted.
The Pennsylvania House earlier this year passed a resolution recognizing October 2018 as “National Arts and Humanities Month” in the Commonwealth – providing a perfect opportunity to take a step back and truly appreciate the arts in our lives, in all forms.
The resolution passed by legislators in Harrisburg points to the great impact the arts have on our society as a whole.
“The arts and humanities enhance and enrich the life of every American,” the resolution states. “The arts and humanities play a unique role in the lives of our country, communities and families.”
Going a step further, the arts and humanities are economic drivers.
The nonprofit arts industry “strengthens our economy by generating $3.3 billion in total economic activity annually, including $402 million in government revenue, and supports the full-time equivalent of 100,000 jobs,” according to the resolution.
This sentiment was echoed when National Arts and Humanities Month in Pennsylvania also marked a special honor for one of the PA Wilds’ national representatives. Announcement was made that Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson was appointed to serve on the National Council on the Arts, which advises the National Endowment for the Arts on grant programs and other priorities. (Details here.)
“I am proud of this appointment and will continue to advocate for the arts because they add value to our daily lives and their impacts extend far greater than we can imagine,” said Thompson, who is one of three to now serve on the National Council on the Arts.
The press release about Thompson’s appointment noted that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis’ latest report indicates that arts and cultural activity account for 3.3. percent of Pennsylvania’s Gross Domestic Product, as well as $763.6 billion in national economic activity.
The importance of the arts on our personal lives, both economically and experientially, cannot be overstated. It is ingrained in the legacy of the Pennsylvania Wilds, as well.
So, throughout the month of October (and when it’s time to start your holiday shopping), take the time to “celebrate and promote the arts and culture in our nation” and find ways to support artisans near you.
The PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc, a nonprofit organization serving the 12.5-county Pennsylvania Wilds region, is proud to be building one of rural Pennsylvania’s largest networks of artisans and creative entrepreneurs: the Wilds Cooperative of Pennsylvania (WCO). The WCO is the main program through which small businesses and nonprofits – from artisans to breweries to B&Bs to outfitters to retailers to restaurants to galleries to designers to videographers – engage with the Pennsylvania Wilds brand, networks and platforms. Functionally, the WCO is the listings backbone for the regional visitor site pawilds.com; the product supply line for the PA Wilds Conservation Shops physical and online stores; and the entry point for those looking to team up on PA Wilds licensed products in the market place. The PA Wilds Center promotes the WCO as part of the overall Pennsylvania Wilds experience. Visit WildsCoPa.org to learn more.