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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> PROCLAMATION <br /> ARTS AND HUMANITIES MONTH - OCTOBER 2025 <br /> WHEREAS , the nation 's 120 , 000 nonprofit arts organizations , the National Endowment for the <br /> Arts , the National Endowment for the Humanities , the 4 , 500 local arts agencies in communities <br /> across the country , and the arts and humanities councils of the 50 states and the six jurisdictions <br /> and districts of the United States annually have issued official proclamations designating <br /> October as National Arts and Humanities Month ; and <br /> WHEREAS , cities and states — through their local and state arts agencies representing <br /> thousands of cultural organizations — have celebrated the value and importance of culture in <br /> the lives of Americans and the health of thriving communities during National Arts and <br /> Humanities Month for nearly 30 years ; and <br /> WHEREAS , the humanities help diverse communities across the United States explore their <br /> history and culture with the support and partnership of the National Endowment for the <br /> Humanities , the 50 state and six jurisdiction and district humanities councils , and local <br /> educational and cultural institutions ; and <br /> WHEREAS , the arts and humanities embody so much of the accumulated wisdom , intellect , <br /> and imagination of humankind , and also enhance and enrich the lives of everyone in America ; <br /> and <br /> WHEREAS , despite significant losses due to the coronavirus pandemic , the creative industries <br /> remain among the most vital sectors of the American economy , providing new opportunities for <br /> developing cities , creating jobs and economic activity within their own industry and across <br /> sectors , and making communities attractive to business development ; and <br /> WHEREAS , the U . S . Bureau of Economic Analysis reports the nation ' s arts and culture sector <br /> — including nonprofit , commercial and education — is a $ 1 . 02 trillion industry that supports 4 . 9 <br /> million jobs representing 4 . 4 % of the nation 's economy , a larger share of the Gross Domestic <br /> Product (GDP ) than powerhouse sectors such as agriculture , transportation , and construction <br /> (2021 ) ; and <br /> WHEREAS , the nonprofit arts industry of Orange County has generated $ 15 . 8 million in local <br /> and state government revenue and $ 107 million in economic activity (2022 ) annually by <br /> organizations and audiences — including $22 . 3 million of spending beyond the cost of admission <br /> on items such as meals , parking , and lodging by arts event attendees — making the arts a vital <br /> income source for local businesses , <br /> NOW, THEREFORE , we , the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County , North <br /> Carolina , do hereby proclaim October 2025 as Arts and Humanities Month in Orange County <br /> and call upon community members to celebrate and promote the arts and culture throughout <br /> the region , state and nation , and to participate in sustaining the vibrancy of the arts and <br /> humanities for the betterment of society <br /> This the 7t" day of October , 202 t <br /> JoKezettglb6dford , Chgar <br /> Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />