Don L. Rivers

The Change Is Here
Democracy Voucher Program? Participating

The arts sector includes literature, theatre, music venues, museums, public displays of art, arts education in and out of the school building, design, and more. What role do you see the arts playing in the pandemic recovery? What is your experience with creatives, creative organizations, and the arts in Seattle?

I was born in Motown. I was a member of the Mighty Clouds Of Joy. Love Art and music. I believe it is a essence of life. Would love to see more creative To Panora ship as an option for our kids coming out of high school and going to junior high it’s a wonderful wonderful opportunity. I will be bringing back choices for Artist.

Total personnel expenses budgeted for 2020/2021 are nearly 30% lower than in the pre-pandemic fiscal year 2018/2019. Artistic and production personnel budgets are those most dramatically affected, seeing 44% and 37% drops, respectively, since prior to the pandemic. Given this statistic from ArtsFund’s economic survey, how will you work to grow the creative workforce sector?

I will be making changes auditing departments to see where money is going and being wasted. My whole campaign for my Governor Run was entertained by local Artists .

Growth in creative occupations has outpaced overall job growth (23% vs. 15%, 2012-2017). 2019 saw 4,373 more creative jobs than would be expected if Seattle had followed national trends. At $30.76, the Seattle metro has the second highest cost of living-adjusted, median hourly earnings for creative workers among large and medium metros. Creative industries contribute 18% of Seattle’s gross regional product, compared to 4% of the U.S. gross domestic product. Seattle is a world-class city for the arts and is a thriving hub for creatives with regional, national and international renown. How would you ensure that artists, and arts and cultural organizations, have the support and resources to maintain that status as a thriving hub? What are your plans to help grow the creative class that makes Seattle so vibrant?

I will be bringing the three L’s with my to office a plan we developed. Listen, Learn and then Lead. It is a lose firm when we just stop listening to the people. I was an Artist before anything else in life.

Washington state ranks 45th in funding for the arts, while having the second highest absenteeism rate in the USA. Knowing that the arts increase engagement for children in school, what are your plans for arts education, and what role do you see arts education playing in our school system?

Very big role. I understand the need to express yourself. It is a Artist water and air. I was thankful to grow up listening and meeting Supremes and Smokey Robinson and so many greats. Singing in church and having many powerful singers and artists in my family. Being able to have access to school s just for Artists is a great miss here in our City. You have my word . I will be available for the Artist Community and ready to listen .

The arts sector was left out of early recovery dollars, and the impact was a 65% decrease in earned income projected for 2020/2021 as compared to 2018/2019. We know the arts have historically solved problems for our city, as each new job in a creative industry creates a total of three local jobs, according to 2019’s Creative Economy Report. What is your vision for the arts in community recovery, and how will you work with the sector to achieve your goals?

I will be bringing with me the 3 L’s .

Historically, the funds dedicated to the arts have gone to predominantly white institutions serving predominantly white audiences. How will you ensure that available funds are distributed in a more equitable manner and that we invest in diverse communities?

I know all about this. Mentor many kids here. I am aware of of how we are ignored. In a city or Country where we created the very essence of this country’s sound and looks.