SENATE WAYS AND MEANS PROPOSES $25.5M FOR MASS CULTURAL COUNCIL IN FY25
On May 7th, the Senate Ways and Means Committee released its proposed FY25 Budget. The $57.9 billion state spending plan includes investments in education, health care, municipalities, and community-building efforts, including arts and culture.
The Senate Ways and Means Budget recommends $25.5 million in spending for the creative sector through the Mass Cultural Council’s line item (0640-0300). $25.5 million matches the Governor’s recommendation in the FY25 Budget she filed in January. However, it is less than the House’s final budget of $26,750,000 ($25.9 million for Mass Cultural Council grants and operations and $855,000 for earmarks for specific cultural organizations and programs). The House’s version is a 3.58% increase for our state’s arts agency.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Like the House process, the Senate will now debate its budget. Senators have filed over 1,000 amendments for specific spending priorities, increases to line items, and other policy changes. Next week, the Senate will vote on these amendments and a final version of its budget.
ADVOCATING FOR A STRONG CREATIVE SECTOR IN MA
In partnership with the Mass Cultural Council, Sen. Paul Mark filed Amendment #171 to increase the Senate Budget line item for the Mass Cultural Council to $26,750,00 - matching the House version. Sen. Mark serves as the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development and we are deeply thankful for his continued leadership and support for increased public spending for our creative community.
Additionally, Sen. John Cronin filed Amendment #322, which would add the Downtown Vitality Act to the FY25 Budget. The Downtown Vitality Act is part of the Creative Sector Agenda and would create a fund to support Cultural Districts, Business Improvement Districts, and Main Street Associations. MASSCreative and our partners at Mass Cultural Council, MassINC, and Metropolitan Area Planning Council are eager to see the Downtown Vitality Act passed this session.
WE URGE ADVOCATES TO CONTACT THEIR STATE SENATORS AND ASK THEM TO CO-SPONSOR AMENDMENT #171 AND AMENDMENT #322.
Visit our Take Action page for more resources to assist you in your advocacy.
On November 15, 2024, the MASSCreative Action Network (MCAN) hosted an election debrief with community organizing and policy experts to learn how 2024 federal and state-level election results will impact the creative sector in Massachusetts. Watch the recording here.
Help get the vote out and play your part for a stronger democracy.
Check out our 2024 Create the Vote General Election Guides to see who is running for US Congress, State Senate, and State House of Representatives in Massachusetts.
Check out our 2024 Create the Vote Election Guides to see who is running for US Congress, State Senate, and State House of Representatives in Massachusetts.
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 Senate Ways and Means Budget and take action for the Mass Cultural Council and Downtown Vitality Act.
A hearing for The Creative Space Preservation Act is set for Monday September 18 - learn how to join advocacy leaders in supporting this crucial bill.
On July 24th Gov. Healey signed H.4890, An Act relative to salary range transparency into law. At MASSCreative, we support and celebrate this significant legislative achievement as a crucial step towards fostering equity, diversity, and transparency in the arts and culture sector.
In May 2024, Daniel Deutsch published a comprehensive cultural blueprint for the Pioneer Valley with recommendations for nurturing the arts ecosystem in Western Massachusetts. Continue reading for Daniel’s findings and report.
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During this month's webinar, we provided updates on our advocacy around the FY25 Budget Conference Committee and previewed ways that the creative sector can benefit from the anticipated Mass Leads Act (Economic Development Bond Bill).
During this month's webinar, we reviewed the FY25 Senate Ways and Means Budget, talked about Emily's testimony on the Mass Leads Act, and shared about the South Coast creative community's recent success organizing a legislative roundtable.
During this month's webinar, we reviewed the FY25 House Ways and Means Budget, the state budget process, and the federal STAGES Act and CREATE Art Act. We also provided updates about our inaugural Creative Advocacy Institute happening on May 17th in Lowell, as well as this year's Create the Vote campaign season.
On Friday, March 8, 2024, MASSCreative used their monthly Policy & Advocacy Webinar to provide a federal funding update, review the Governor’s Economic Development Bond Bill, give a status update on the Creative Sector Legislative Agenda, and preview the FY25 State Budget. Read the blog to watch the recording and download the slideshow.
In this month's webinar, we recapped Creative Sector Advocacy Week in January and shared Joint Rule 10 outcomes for the Creative Sector Legislative Agenda. We also shared the news that Boston City Council unanimously passed a resolution endorsing the Creative Space Preservation Act.
On Friday, January 12, 2024, MASSCreative held the first of two trainings preparing arts and culture advocates for Creative Sector Advocacy Week 2024. During this Webinar, the MASSCreative team reviewed the schedule for Advocacy Week and shared tips and outlines for meeting with lawmakers and organizing advocacy meetings.
MASSCreative was joined by the Massachusetts Health Connector for a presentation on their open enrollment period. Open enrollment lasts now through January 23, 2024. See our webinar recording and linked resources to get started.
Check out the resources we shared at November’s Policy & Action Webinar.
There is a lot of misinformation on what a nonprofit can and cannot do when it comes to advocating for its interests and the needs of the communities they serve. Check out our Nonprofits and Advocacy Resource on how your organization effectively and confidently advocate for a more equitable and inclusive creative sector of all residents in the Commonwealth.
Check out the resources we shared at October’s Policy and Action Update Webinar.
During our September Policy & Action Update Webinar, we discussed how to prepare for Fall hearings and announced our Advocacy & Organizing Fellowship!
During our July Policy & Action Update Webinar, we reviewed the Federal FY24 Budget and proposed NEA appropriations, discussed the status of the State FY24 Budget, and previewed advocacy opportunities in Fall 2023.
Read Richeline's blog about attending the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. and how artists can play a role in strengthening communities and democracy.
Three months into the new year, the Massachusetts creative sector is celebrating significant policy milestones through the Creative Sector Legislative Agenda, Economic Development Bond Bill, and FY25 Budget.
It’s been an eventful and exciting year! In this letter, Emily shares her thoughts on our accomplishments in 2023 and things we’re looking ahead to in 2024.
Meet our 2023-2024 Advocacy and Organizing Fellows!
In November 2023, we held a town hall on the Downtown Vitality Act and the Co-Creative Center New Bedford.
Join us for a Town Hall on the Downtown Vitality Act on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 4 PM in New Bedford.
