priorities
What do you need to live your full creative expression?
Massachusetts is home to a thriving and diverse creative sector that connects neighbors to each other, stimulates economic activity, and animates our communities. The creative and cultural community’s interests must be considered when choices are made about public policy and funding decisions that will impact them.
MASSCreative prioritizes efforts that increase equity in Massachusetts’ creative sector and remove barriers
that exclude individuals and communities from full creative expression and cultural participation. We identify
our advocacy priorities through continuous feedback and dialogue with creative sector members about what
they need to continue to live, work, and create in Massachusetts.
MASSCREATIVE’S PRIORITY ISSUES:
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Ensuring Massachusetts, local municipalities, and the federal government are adequately investing in the creative sector and public funding is distributed equitably, resulting in a more diverse arts and cultural community.
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Pursuing policies and government support that encourage creative small businesses, independent creative workers, and workforce development for the arts and cultural sector.
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Working to increase spaces that support the development and presentation of art and cultures. Ensuring creative space is equitably offered and accessible to the whole community.
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Increase access to creative youth development programs and ensure that every child, regardless of school district, has access to quality in-school arts education.
Read more about our youth arts cultural policy efforts.
ADVOCACY UPDATES:
DOWNTOWN VITALITY ACT INCLUDED IN THE MASS LEADS ACT
On November 14th, the House and Senate approved the conference committee’s report on the Mass Leads Act, including the Downtown Vitality Act, live theater tax credit, and reauthorizing $50 million for the Cultural Facilities Fund.
SENATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BILL AND DOWNTOWN VITALITY ACT OUTCOMES
On July 11th, the Senate passed their Economic Development Bond Bill, including $50 million for the Cultural Facilities Fund and the Downtown Vitality Amendment. Read for Economic Development Bond Bill updates.
HOUSE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOND BILL (MASS LEADS ACT) OUTCOMES
On June 27, the House took up their $3.4 billion Economic Development Bond Bill and included a live theater tax credit and $50 million for the Cultural Facilities Fund. Advocates fought for the House to include the Creative Space Preservation Act and Downtown Vitality Act amendments. Read for Economic Development Bond Bill updates.
SENATE WAYS AND MEANS PROPOSES $25.5M FOR MASS CULTURAL COUNCIL IN FY25
On May 7, the Senate Ways and Means Committee announced their plan to fund the Mass Cultural Council at $25.5 million in FY25. Read for more information about the proposed Senate Budget and opportunities to advocate for the Mass Cultural Council and Downtown Vitality Act.
House Ways and Means Proposes $25.9M for the Mass Cultural Council in FY25
On April 10, 2024, the House Ways and Means Committee announced their plan to increase the Mass Cultural Council’s budget to $25.9 million. This is a 2% increase over Gov. Healey’s H.2 recommendation and a 3.58% increase over FY24.
GOVERNOR HEALEY’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The Healey Administration released their Economic Development Plan on December 12, 2023. Read more for a breakdown of what’s included in the plan and how they intend to prioritize the creative economy.