HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	145
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

requesting the state foundation on culture and the arts to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the implementation of creative districts in hawaii.

WHEREAS, creative districts encourage arts-based economic development and community revitalization in areas across a state; and

WHEREAS, an increasing number of states throughout the nation have recognized that a thriving creative sector is a powerful economic development asset and that the establishment of creative districts is one strategy that aids in the development of creative sectors that stimulate economic growth, oftentimes in economically depressed areas, and provides numerous other cultural and civic benefits; and

WHEREAS, a creative district is often defined as an area of land within a community that has been designated as such by a state, or a political subdivision of a state, and meets certain specified criteria including that the area encompassing the creative district is:

(1) A geographically contiguous area of land;

(2) Distinguished by physical, artistic, or cultural resources that play a vital role in the quality and life of the community in which it is located;

(3) The site of a concentration of artistic or cultural activity, a major arts or cultural institution or facility, arts and entertainment businesses, or an area with arts and cultural activities or artistic or cultural production; and

(4) Engaged in promoting, preserving, and educating the public in various aspects of the arts and culture of the community in which the district is located and contributes to the public through interpretive, educational, or recreational uses; and

WHEREAS, the intended outcomes of creative districts extend beyond the arts and cultural sector to benefit all members of a community including by:

(1) Attracting artists and artistic and cultural enterprises to a local community;

(2) Encouraging business and job development;

(3) Addressing both urban and rural artistic, cultural, and other needs;

(4) Enhancement of tourism destinations;

(5) Preserving and reusing historic buildings; and

(6) Strengthening a community's cultural identity; and

WHEREAS, while the establishment of creative districts can have a tremendous economic impact on a community in which the creative district is located and can be achieved at little cost to the community, it is prudent that a cost-benefit analysis be performed before designating an area as a creative district; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2018, that the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts is requested to conduct a cost-benefit analysis on the establishment of creative districts in Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including identification of specific areas in the State found to be the most suitable for the establishment of creative districts, and any proposed necessary legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2019; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Executive Director of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Requests the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to conduct a cost-benefit analysis on the establishment of creative districts in Hawaii.