[NEohioPAL]Public Funding for the Arts and Economic Development (Vote is Tuesday, March 2)

[Kevin Cronin]

List: I want to note that next Tuesday, March 2nd, is Election Day and urge 
artists, performers, friends and supporters to vote for Issue 31 in Cuyahoga 
County.  Please contact your friends, family and supporters and urge them to 
vote for Issue 31 as well.  The vote represents a $2/month investment in the 
community, with a new opportunity to support arts and culture in the county.

Also, I encourage people to come down to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on 
Sunday and Monday for 31 Hours of Artists at Work, an artistic marathon to 
support Issue 31.  The Cleveland Theater Collective has gathered a great 
group of performers and its an opportunity to show your support and enjoy 
the variety of music, dance and theater available in northeast Ohio.

To recap Issue 31:
* Half of the $21 million expected ot be raised will be used to retain jobs 
and attract new ones, through more traditional economic development tools 
like cleaning up lands for redevelopment and loans for small businesses.
* The other half, about $10.5 million, will support arts and culture that 
have significant impact in the county.  Purposes will include matching 
dollars for operating support, support for individual artists as “artists in 
residence” in schools or neighborhoods, a special initiatives fund for 
collaboration on new major projects and support for arts organizations and 
other nonprofits wishing to use arts or cultural activities to strengthen 
neighborhoods.

Over the last three years, Cuyahoga County lost over 40,000 jobs, more than 
one-quarter of all the job loss in the state.   This levy is an attempt to 
do something in a new way to strengthen the Cleveland economy, while 
recognizing that arts matter.  The arts create $1.3 billion in economic 
activity and employ thousands in our county.

For more information on Issue 31, check out www.issue31.org.

Protect Jobs… Create Jobs...Support Arts and Culture... Vote for Issue 31.

Kevin Cronin
Bodwin Theatre Company
Cleveland
216.374.7578

_________________________________________________________________
Watch high-quality video with fast playback at MSN Video. Free! 
http://click.atdmt.com/AVE/go/onm00200365ave/direct/01/