9/18/23 CREATIVE SPACE PRESERVATION AND PLACE ACT HEARING
BOSTON (9/13/23) - On Monday, September 18th, 2023 from 10 AM to 1 PM, the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development is holding a hybrid hearing at the State House in Room A-1 covering arts and the creative economy, historical landmarks, and cultural spaces.
Two of the bills scheduled for a hearing on Monday are Creative Sector Agenda priorities: the Creative Space Preservation Act and the PLACE Act.
The Creative Space Preservation Act (H.3241/S.530) would disrupt further loss of creative spaces in the Commonwealth by establishing a defined property restriction for creative maker space and performance or exhibition space. It would allow cities and towns to establish trust funds to hold assets and property for the creation and preservation of creative spaces, giving them more tools to keep artists in place.
The Program for Local Art and Community Engagement (H.3246/S.2190), or “PLACE” Act, designates a percentage of construction costs on any Commonwealth-owned property and new public construction projects exceeding $200k for a public art fund. That fund would be used to create and maintain public art in communities across Massachusetts and would prioritize the work of Commonwealth-based artists. The PLACE Act would make it easier for cities and towns to engage their residents in developing relevant and inclusive public art for all by codifying the process for commissioning public art.
What happens next?
Sign up to testify!
One of the best things you can do to support these bills is to testify in person or virtually on September 18th. Both in-person and virtual attendees must register to testify by 10:00 AM on Friday, September 15th, 2023. Attendees testifying virtually will be emailed a link the day before the hearing to join via Microsoft Teams.
The link to sign up to testify can be found here.
Written testimony can be submitted to the committee via email with the subject line “Written Testimony – TACD 9/18/23”. This can be sent to the Committee’s Research Director at Derek.Dunlea@mahouse.gov and Senate Chair’s Legislative Director at Gabrielle.Hanson@masenate.gov
Other Things to Consider When Testifying:
Individuals testifying orally will have 3 minutes to speak. Those who will be testifying on more than one bill must adhere to the 3 minute time limit as well.
If you miss the deadline to pre-register to testify, you may attend the hearing in person and sign up to speak on forms provided by committee staff. Individuals on this list will be called upon only after all pre-registered individuals have testified, time permitting.
Individuals who would like to attend as a part of the panel bust also fill out the pre-registration form mentioned above. They must also email the Research Director Derek.Dunlea@mahouse.gov.
ADA Accommodations:
ADA accommodations shall be approved and requests must be submitted before 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday September 13th. Requests should be made via email to the Research director at Derek.Dunlea@mahouse.gov.
WE’RE HERE TO HELP!
Our team has put together a suite of resources to help you share your support for the Creative Space Preservation Act and PLACE Act. Here’s a quick list:
CREATIVE SPACE PRESERVATION ACT:
Click here for social media templates for the Creative Space Preservation Act
Click here for the Creative Space Preservation Act fact sheet
Click here for Creative Space Preservation Act call and email scripts
PLACE ACT:
MASSCreative also put together a guide to help you feel confident in preparing for the hearing and testifying. You can find the guide HERE.
Have questions on whether your nonprofit organization can advocate on bills? We have a guide for that, too! You can find the guide for Nonprofit Organizations & Advocacy HERE.
HOW else can you support creative space preservation and the place act?
Here are a few other ways you can support the Creative Space Preservation Act and PLACE Act:
You can endorse both bills and add your name to the growing list of supporting organizations and individuals! You can find the endorsement form for the entire Creative Sector Agenda on our Take Action page.
Make sure to submit written testimony to the Committee!
Contact your state representative and state senator and ask them to co-sponsor H.3241/S.530 and H.3246/S.2190. You can find your elected officials HERE.
Spread the word! Let others know this hearing is happening and encourage them to share with their networks, sign up to testify, send written testimony, and talk with their legislators.
