Mikeology

Providence, Rhode Island, boasts that it is “The Creative Capital.”

But the Providence Business News reported today that Rhode Island legislators have been shortchanging the state’s long-running and highly successful WaterFire art-sculpture extravaganza. 

While the corporate community donated $772,000 last year, and individual donors and vendors provided another $200,000, the state government provided just $125,000 — a $100,000 cut since state Rep. Gordon Fox became speaker of the House. Partly because of this cut, WaterFire has accumulated a $200,000 deficit on a budget of $1.7 million.

And that means that the unlit bonfires that you see on this page could remain unlit without more public support.

WaterFire draws tens of millions of dollars to Rhode Island every year, through tourism, conventions, and the ability of WaterFire beneficiaries — artists and restaurants — to host additional events which draw still more tourism and convention activity.

In fact, the ripple effect of WaterFire upon Providence arts and culture influenced my own choice to move to R.I. from D.C. in 2008.

During the long recession, the state should be doing more — not less — to promote commerce, tourism, and in-migration. And since corporations, merchants, and individuals have provided so much to ensure a thriving cultural scene in Providence, I believe it is only fair that the state match annual corporate donations dollar for dollar, with no strings attached.

Challenge them to live up to the state capital’s motto, and match the commitment of the private sector to keep arts and entertainment thriving in Providence.

Providence, Rhode Island, boasts that it is “The Creative Capital.”

But the Providence Business News reported today that Rhode Island has been shortchanging the state’s long-running and highly successful WaterFire art-sculpture extravaganza. 

While the corporate community donated $772,000 last year, and individual donors and vendors provided another $200,000, the state government provided just $125,000 — a $100,000 cut since state Rep. Gordon Fox became speaker of the House. Partly because of this cut, WaterFire has accumulated a $200,000 deficit on a budget of $1.7 million.

And that means that the unlit bonfires that you see on this page could remain unlit without more public support.

WaterFire draws tens of millions of dollars to Rhode Island every year, through tourism, conventions, and the ability of WaterFire beneficiaries — artists and restaurants — to host additional events which draw still more tourism and convention activity.

In fact, the ripple effect of WaterFire upon Providence arts and culture influenced my own choice to move to R.I. from D.C. in 2008.

During the long recession, the state should be doing more — not less — to promote commerce, tourism, and in-migration. And since corporations, merchants, and individuals have provided so much to ensure a thriving cultural scene in Providence, I believe it is only fair that the state match annual corporate donations dollar for dollar, with no strings attached.

Challenge them to live up to the state capital’s motto, and match the commitment of the private sector to keep arts and entertainment thriving in Providence.