FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2010

Contact: Lauren Nocera | Lauren@AngelForProvidence.com | 401-529-9684 

ANGEL TAVERAS HOSTS PUBLIC FORUM ON ARTS & THE CREATIVE ECONOMY
Democratic Mayoral candidate Angel Taveras brings local artists, creative entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders together to discuss strategies for supporting the arts and the creative economy.    

PROVIDENCE  - On June 22nd Providence Democratic Mayoral Candidate Angel Taveras will host a public forum on strategies for supporting the arts and the creative economy in Providence.  The event will take place at 28 Wolcott Street between 5:00 and 7:00 PM and is free and open to the public.    

“The arts are critically important to every aspect of our city,” said Taveras.  “They bring creativity to our classrooms, vibrancy to our neighborhoods, thousands of jobs to our residents and millions of dollars in economic development.  The next Mayor has a unique opportunity to transform Providence from being the Creative Capital of Rhode Island into the Creative Capital of the United States.  I look forward to sharing my plan to make this vision a reality.”    

In organizing this community meeting, Taveras and his Arts Policy Council invited local artists, business owners and leaders of local arts organizations to hear Angel’s vision for the arts community in Providence.  At the event, Taveras will share his ideas for continued investment in the arts and ask the audience to participate in drafting strategies of their own.    

“Similar to a community meeting on public education held last month, this public forum is representative of how I plan to lead the city as Mayor: by bringing people from different backgrounds together to share perspectives, reach consensus and continue moving Providence forward," said Taveras.       

"As Chair of the Angel for Providence Arts Policy Council I’m thrilled for the community to hear Angel’s compelling vision for investing in and supporting arts and culture,” said Jason Yoon, executive director of a local arts education nonprofit.  “Having a champion of the arts in City Hall is crucial to the success of our City and the success of local artists and nonprofit organizations.”   

“As someone who has run a small business engaged in the arts community in Providence for the past five years, I’m excited for others to see Angel’s plan for the Providence arts community,” said Tom Weyman, founder and owner of Providence based record label Supply and Demand Music.  “My business - and hundreds more like it - rely on the City’s creative, entrepreneurial spirit to thrive and grow.  Angel understands the arts community and I’m confident that, as Mayor, he’ll be an advocate for our needs.”   

For more information visit http://www.angelforprovidence.com.
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