It was just six years ago that The Gamm Theatre opened the doors to our new space on Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick. We have been grateful for the welcoming response from the Warwick community. More than a venue, we found a home for our art and our artists, and a sense of belonging. That’s also why it’s so important to vote “yes” on Question 5 this November.

Ballot Question #5 asks you to support $10 million in bonds for investments in arts and culture across Rhode Island, allowing for major construction, renovation, and rehabilitation projects. These investments will not only create hundreds of family-supporting jobs; they will enable the creation of new artistic centers in our state. In these places, families will enjoy an evening out and students can learn from world-class intellectual and cultural leaders. Your vote is not just a “yes” to the arts. It’s an investment in education, job creation, tourism, and so much more for the people in and around our community.

So many sectors of our economy were devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The arts were no exception. When theaters were forced to close their doors, we lost income, opportunity, and the kind of togetherness that only live theater can provide. People felt isolated. It was clear that the arts would play a role as “second responders” helping to reconnect and heal the community once we reopened. We knew our Warwick home, would eventually be a place to laugh, cry, and breathe the same air once again.

Fortunately, the lockdown days are behind us. Our recovery, however, is ongoing. It’s more important than ever to invest in Rhode Island’s proven assets. Arts and culture are at the core of our state’s identity. Rhode Island voters have approved two arts and culture bonds in the past decade (in 2014 and 2021) which have impacted so many in our state. Theatregoers have enjoyed performances in new and renovated spaces. Students have been enriched by new arts education programs, not to mention the hundreds of people who became employed in the sector. By voting “yes” on Question #5, you can help thousands more Rhode Islanders benefit from the arts and culture all around us.

In Rhode Island, we embrace the arts. We recognize their civic and economic value. On November 5, please vote “yes” on Question 5.

Jason Cabral is the Executive Director of The Gamm Theatre in Warwick, RI.