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Legislative Arts Caucus Success: SB531 signed into law as Act 577!

Thanks to the leadership of Senator Joyce Elliott and Representative Les Warren, SB531 passed through the state legislature and was signed into law by Governor Hutchinson on April 7, 2021 becoming Act 577.

The creative economy will thrive at the intersection of art and technology and Act 577 created the Arkansas Legislative Art and Technology Boot Camp which is an exploration of who is currently working in the disciplines of art and technology. It is also a road map for how to get to the future.

The Boot Camp will consist of eight senators and eight representatives, along with the bill's two sponsors. This group will participate in a series of events, ideally one in each of the eight Arkansas arts districts, where professionals and educators in art and technology, artists, and makers will come together and share their successes, challenges, needs, and specifically address the intersection of the Arts and technology.  The result of this effort will be a comprehensive report that includes an inventory of statewide arts and culture assets organized by the creative economy industry cluster and a plan for identifying and leveraging current and future assets and talents in the areas of arts and technology.

The Arkansas Legislative Art & Technology Boot Camp team and Arkansans for the Arts are partnering on this endeavor. Stay tuned for opportunities to share how you are working at the intersection of art and technology!