priorities
Our Focus
Massachusetts is home to a thriving and diverse creative sector that connects neighbors to each other, generates economic activity, and animates our communities. When difficult choices regarding public funding and policy decisions are made, the creative and cultural community’s interests must be considered.
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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.
UPDATES ON OUR PRIORITY AREAS
Our Guiding Value for All Policy Priorities
Regardless of policy area or goal, MASSCreative prioritizes efforts that increase equity in Massachusetts’ creative sector and remove barriers that exclude individuals and communities from creative expression and cultural participation.
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.
FINAL fy24 budget
On Wednesday, April 9th, 2023, Gov. Healey signed a $56.6B FY24 spending plan into law, including $25M for the Mass Cultural Council.
FY24 BUDGET CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT
The FY24 Budget is headed back to Governor Healey!
FY24 Senate budget updates
Thank you to the Senate for including $25M for the Mass Cultural Council in FY24!
FY24 SENATE WAYS AND MEANS BUDGET REPORT
Senate Ways and Means releases their FY24 Budget with $25M for the Mass Cultural Council!
FY24 House Budget Updates
Thank you to the House for approving $25M for the Mass Cultural Council!
Past PRIORITY Wins
Since its founding in 2013, MASSCreative has worked with advocates across the Commonwealth to build a stronger, more equitable and inclusive creative sector. From local and state elections to increased public funding for creative and cultural work, our organizing efforts have shifted how Massachusetts values our community