Thread by @Americans4Arts

Calling on @WhiteHouse and any potential #ArtsHero like @POTUS, @FLOTUS, @VP, @SecondGentleman, @AmbRice46, @PeteButtigieg, @SecCardona, and @MartyJWalsh! The next #COVID19 infrastructure proposal must include creative infrastructure. Here’s why (thread): 1/

The creative economy is a great investment and a massive ($878 billion) economic engine for the US. 1% of a $2 trillion #BuildBackBetter plan—$20 billion—for creative infrastructure is a solid investment with immediate and long-term economic and social benefit. 2/

Creative economy is essential to recovery but devastated by COVID. 63% of creative workers are out of work—10x national rate (@Americans4Arts). The creative sector lost $150B+ (@BrookingsInst) & shrank 57% (@BEA_News). It is THE hardest hit sector in the country (@JHUCCSS)! 3/

Investing in creative infrastructure (5.1M workers, 675K small businesses) makes sense & offers major ROI. Creative businesses create 2x jobs as the national rate (per @BEA_News), support more jobs than public safety, & generate more in taxes than tourism. 4/

Investing in creative workers is essential. 204 chambers of commerce & 10 major mayors (including @LondonBreed @LoriLightfoot & @ericgarcetti) pushed Congress to dedicate funds to creative recovery—they know there is no recovery without creativity. 5/

To thrive tomorrow, the US need jobs for creative workers today. $20B (just 1% of a $2T plan) creates 350K jobs, commissions 300K new artworks, generates billions in economic ripples & helps communities address trauma & recover. Want some specifics? 6/

For every $1 used to commission an artist, $.83 goes directly out to stimulate local economies. Every arts attendee spends $32 beyond the ticket. A $20 billion investment in creative infrastructure will yield *at least* that much in ROI. (@Americans4Arts) 7/

Creative infrastructure funds will accelerate economic & social recovery. People want to be together again, and 72% of Americans believe the arts unify our communities & help us understand each other. So here’s what we (and 2,300 colleagues) are asking: 8/

$14B to: Incentivize businesses to hire or retain creative workers & banks to loan to struggling creative small businesses. Support the restart of these essential businesses (in which 55% of workers have $0 savings left, and 40% of businesses have tapped reserves). 9/

$4.5B to: Integrate artists in the WHOLE recovery. Spark a cultural renaissance by commissioning art like FDR did. Integrate artists in @AmeriCorps to help communities build back better through creativity. Integrate arts-based therapies to address trauma. 10/

$1.5B to: Protect arts educators and arts education. Help schools keep arts educators employed. Educate teachers on arts-based trauma-informed education to support kids with re-entry. Give kids the outlet they need to process and grow through the arts. 11/

These are the Put Creative Workers to Work proposals, created by a consortium of 100+ partners & endorsed by 2,300+ businesses and people. See the coalition’s letter to the White House and Congress here: creativeworkers.net/take-action/le…. Read it—and send it. Let’s make it happen. 12/

See the full Put Creative Workers to Work proposal and endorsements at CreativeWorkers.net. There is no national economic recovery without creativity, and 5.1 million creative workers stand ready. /13