ASSEMBLY TOURISM, GAMING AND THE ARTS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION No. 128

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 16, 2024

      The Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee reports favorably Assembly Joint Resolution No. 128.

This resolution designates the month of August each year as “American Artist Appreciation Month” in recognition of the many valuable contributions of American artists to American society and the arts industry as a whole.

     The United States has a long history of artistic creation that reflects many different influences, innovations, and time periods. American artists have contributed significantly to visual and performing arts and have pioneered many artistic movements in the arts industry.  Visual arts have been transformed by Pop Art, Luminism, and Photorealism, all movements which were led by American artists.  American musicians have consistently been trailblazers in the music industry, popularizing many genres of music, including jazz, country, and rock and roll music.  The many different artistic media and styles offer something to everyone, and by connecting with artists through their work, consumers are able to explore and consider different viewpoints on important issues.

     In addition to creating beautiful pieces of artwork that can stand the test of time, modern American artists contribute significantly to the nation’s economy.  The arts industry is one of the largest industries in the country.  The arts industry is responsible for 4.7 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), generates more than twice as much revenue for local, state, and federal governments as the industry receives in government funding, supports 2.3 million jobs, and stimulates other industries, like food service, clothing and retail, and lodging and transportation, through live events.  The film and television industry in New Jersey has been growing in recent years, due to the tax credit approved by the Legislature in 2018, and is forecasted to continue growing as the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic dissipate.  In New Jersey, the arts industry currently accounts for 41 million dollars of revenue for State and local governments, as well as 25,000 jobs.

     New Jersey has always had a special relationship with the arts. The state is home to many prominent artists across all media, and boasts numerous museums, theatres, and arenas where exhibits and performances by American artists are hosted.  It is fitting for the State of New Jersey to designate the month of August each year as “American Artist Appreciation Month” in recognition of the many American artists who create works of art that inspire New Jersey residents and Americans across the country.