Massachusetts Arts and Culture Leaders Request $25 Million for Mass Cultural Council in House and Senate FY24 Budgets
BOSTON (3/30/23) - On Thursday, March 30, 2023, MASSCreative submitted a letter to Speaker Mariano, Senate President Spilka, Chair Michlewitz, and Chair Rodrigues urging House and Senate leadership to include $25 million for the Mass Cultural Council in their FY24, as proposed in Governor Healey’s inaugural budget. The letter includes a total of 693 co-sponsors, consisting of 110 cultural organizations and 583 individuals throughout the Commonwealth, that support the advocacy group’s long-term campaign of increasing the Mass Cultural Council line item to $35 million, or $5 per capita.
MASSCreative launched their “$5 for Creativity” campaign earlier this year with the goal of ensuring a well-resourced and resilient creative sector in Massachusetts. In FY23, the legislature concurred on allocating $22.3 million for the Mass Cultural Council, equating to a record high of $3.28 per capita, also less than 1% of the state budget. Governor Healey’s proposed $25 million would result in an 11% increase for the Mass Cultural Council’s grant programs and operations from last year and a significant step towards achieving $5 per capita.
According to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Massachusetts creative sector accounts for nearly 4% of employment in the state. The Bureau assessed the economic value of arts and cultural production in Massachusetts at $23.7 billion, more than retail and construction. More than the economic value, MASSCreative stated in their letter that creative expression and cultural experiences, powered by the creative workforce, strengthen community bonds and pride of place, and empower youth development programs.
“We are thrilled that once again advocates from across the Commonwealth joined together to share their support with the Legislature,” said MASSCreative’s Executive Director, Emily Ruddock. “Advocacy wins don’t happen by accident, they require all of us working together for a more equitable and creative Massachusetts for everyone.”
MASSCreative directed the letter to House and Senate leadership on Thursday, in advance of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means hearing concerning Mass Cultural Council’s budget in Gloucester on Friday, March 31.
About MASSCreative
MASSCreative works with artists, cultural councils, arts organizations, and the broader creative community to build a Commonwealth where arts and creativity are an expected, recognized, and valued part of everyday life. Working with their coalition of 400 arts and cultural organizations and artists from across the Commonwealth, MASSCreative uses public education and awareness, grassroots organizing, advocacy campaigns, and other civic and political engagement to ensure that arts, culture, and creativity are considered when important policy and political decisions are made at the state and local levels.
CONTACT:
Kelsey Rode, Director of External Relations
krode@mass-creative.org
413-206-6451
