Expanding Voting Access: MASSCreative’s Commitment to Civic Engagement
Since 2013, MASSCreative has been all about making sure the voices of artists, cultural workers, and creative leaders are heard in our democracy. What started as an effort to organize creative voters during the 2013 Boston mayoral election has grown into a movement that connects the creative community with candidates at all levels of government. Thanks to Create the Vote coalitions over the years, candidates running for office became elected officials championing arts, culture, and creativity in their communities.
We believe democracy works best when everyone is empowered to participate. When we discuss the issues, go to the polls, and hold our elected officials accountable, we create meaningful change and ensure that our voices shape the future of our communities.
And let’s be real—every year is an election year, and every election matters.
We know the creative community already plays an important role in the lives of our residents. Art and creative expression amplify a spectrum of lived experiences and perspectives. Through shared cultural experiences, the creative community builds connections that make people feel seen and included. Because the creative community is essential to strong, healthy communities, we believe artists, cultural organizations, and creative businesses have a responsibility to play their part in advocating for more ways that residents can participate in civic life.
Through the Create the Vote initiative, we’ve teamed up with incredible artists, arts administrators, and cultural organizations in communities across the state—including Boston, MetroWest, North Shore, the Cape and Islands, Central Massachusetts, and the Berkshires. Thanks to these partnerships, we’ve been able to make a real impact through three main focus areas:
Candidate Engagement
Hosting forums, roundtables, and conversations with candidates to make sure they understand the top issues affecting the creative and cultural sectors.Voter Education & Organizing
Giving the arts community the tools to get involved in elections through nonpartisan efforts that show just how much the creative sector matters.Voter Turnout & Get Out The Vote (GOTV)
We will provide artists and cultural organizations with everything they need—resources, education, and strategies—to help increase voter turnout in their neighborhoods.
However, even with a solid voting plan, things don’t always go as expected. That’s why we’re committed to expanding voting access for all. We proudly support policies like Same-Day Voter Registration, separating the municipal census from the inactive voter list, and improving disability voting access. These changes help ensure every eligible voter has a fair shot at casting their ballot without unnecessary obstacles.
This year, MASSCreative is excited to join the Voting Access Campaign Network, organized by the Election Modernization Coalition. This coalition fights for policies that strengthen our democracy and ensure that every voice—especially from communities that have been historically left out—gets heard. We encourage artists, creatives, and cultural organizations to join the coalition and work in solidarity with others across Massachusetts to strengthen democracy and increase civic participation.
At the end of the day, art and civic engagement go hand in hand. Both empower communities, amplify diverse voices, and create meaningful connections that drive social change. A healthy democracy needs participation from every part of our society. As an arts advocacy organization, we’re proud to stand in coalition with others to build a more just, inclusive, and accessible electoral process.
