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REPRINTED FROM THENEXTMAYOR.COMMarch 29, 2007 press release, (submitted via e-mail) |
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Tim Spreitzer
DATE: Thursday, March 29, 2007 OFFICE: 215/253-4965
CELL: 215/514-0170
tim@evansformayor.com
PHILADELPHIA --- Dwight Evans today released his detailed Arts and Culture plan at the Northwest corner of Broad and Spring Garden Streets. Evans’ plan, titled, “Dwight Evans’ Plan for Promoting Philadelphia’s Arts and Culture Sector,” lays out several initiatives designed to at last bring full and complete support for the arts and culture in Philadelphia. He believes that economic development is one of the keys to reducing crime and wholeheartedly agrees with the data showing the tremendous positive impact arts and culture have on Philadelphia’s economy. Evans announced for Mayor before more than 1,200 supporters on December 11th; his campaign slogan is “A Safer Philadelphia – Block by Block.”
“There can be no debate about the critical importance of arts and culture to Philadelphia’s economy, quality of life, and future growth,” Evans said. “There is also little doubt in my mind that increased funding and support for arts and culture will have a direct impact on job creation, increased educational achievement, and decreased violence. As Mayor, I will provide this leadership and support as I have done throughout my career.”
Highlights of Evans’ plan to promote Philadelphia’s arts and culture sectors include:
Reestablishing the Office of Arts and Culture and Reinstituting the Mayor’s Arts and Culture Advisory Council. These two offices, under the leadership of then Mayor Ed Rendell, helped build the Kimmel Center, expand the Avenue of the Arts, create the Marian Anderson Award, and other beneficial activities within the City. As Mayor, Evans will reinstitute them and charge them with renewing Philadelphia’s commitment to arts and culture.
Leading the Charge to Push for a Voter Referendum to Supply a New, Sustainable Revenue Source to Fund the Arts and Culture Industry. Modeled after a successful ballot initiative in Denver, Colorado, Dwight will work to gain support from counties in the Southeast region to prepare a referendum asking voters to support the creation of a regional tax district to fund our arts and culture industry.
Offering Students Greater Exposure to Arts Education. Dwight will work with the School District and School Reform Commission to make the arts an integral part of every student’s education. Evans believes that using art expression is a terrific way to increase literacy and decrease violence; it is critical that these opportunities be made available to all Philadelphia students.
“In more than 27 years of public service, I am extremely proud of the support I have been able to provide for Philadelphia’s arts and culture community,” Evans said. “From having the Philadelphia Orchestra perform at Martin Luther King High School as a free public concert to funding the Asian Arts Initiative, I have long understood the critical importance of these opportunities to our residents.”
Evans chose the corner of Broad and Spring Garden Streets for this important announcement due to the two beautiful murals located in close proximity to this intersection. Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Program (MAP) was created as a way to tap the talent of local graffiti artists and use their artistic ability to improve the appearance of neighborhoods. To date, MAP has created more than 2,700 murals throughout Philadelphia, which are treasured pieces of the City’s landscape and are the source of pride for the millions of residents and visitors who see them. Evans is proud to have provided over $550,000 to the Mural Arts Project to help them with their important work.
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For more information about Mayoral Candidate Dwight Evans, visit his website at www.evansformayor.com.
Dwight Evans for Mayor •1500 Walnut St., Suite 501, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Paid for by Friends for Dwight Evans. B. Callands, Treasurer