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 proposed spending plan for FY25 and included $25,895,000 for the Mass Cultural Council (line item 0640-0300). The House Ways and Means Budget proposes a 2% increase over Gov. Healey’s H.2 allocation for the Mass Cultural Council, and recommends an overall 3.58% increase over FY24’s historic investment of $25 million for the agency.
In March, the Mass Cultural Council testified to the Joint Committees on Ways and Means expressing their support for the $25.5 million included in H.2. In their testimony, they urged House and Senate members to also adopt $25.5 million in FY25. MASSCreative has joined the Mass Cultural Council in urging the Legislature to approve $25.5 million for their grants and operating budget.
The creative sector is a proven economic stimulant in Massachusetts. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) recently reported that in 2022, arts and cultural production in the state accounted for $28.6 billion in economic impact, 133,773 jobs, and 4.1% of the state’s economy. Arts and cultural production ranked 2nd in Massachusetts among comparison sectors in terms of value added. At the local level, an economic and social impact study conducted by Americans for the Arts revealed that Springfield’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $82.4 million in economic activity in 2022, supporting 1,483 jobs and generating $15.3 million in local, state, and federal revenues. Other key findings from the Springfield AEP6 show that the Springfield nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $29 million in event-related spending by its audiences, and the average attendee spent $31.85 per person on event-related goods in the local economy on items such as retail, parking and hospitality.
The proposed investments in creativity are significant at a time when state revenue collections are below projections and legislators are warning of a leaner FY25 Budget. In the last week, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that they are instituting hiring controls amid the concerning revenue outlook. The House’s planned increase for the Mass Cultural Council signifies an understanding from elected leaders that a stronger creative economy is vital not only for social and cultural vibrancy in towns and cities, but also for economic resiliency and growth.
MASSCreative is encouraging its members to thank their state representatives and House leadership for their support of arts and culture in the FY25 Budget. As a statewide arts and culture advocacy organization, MASSCreative will continue working in coalition with individual artists, creatives, cultural organizations and institutions, cross-sector partners, and elected officials to advocate for $25.9 million for the Mass Cultural Council in the final FY25 spending plan. Visit our House Ways and Means FY25 Budget action page for more guidance about thanking your state representative.
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.
MASSCreative’s Artivist Town Hall is a monthly webinar that connects artists and creatives with resources, training, and expert insights to support them in their creative practices and activism. This month, we welcomed Joyce Linehan and Erin O’Brien for a panel discussion about how public and cultural policies are written, how we create momentum to carry legislation, and how policies impact creative communities.
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.
During this month's webinar, we focused on key updates and strategies for the creative sector in this crucial final month of the legislative session. Our main topics were the Senate’s Mass Leads Act and the inclusion of the Downtown Vitality Act in their version of the bill.
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!
On Friday, November 22, 2024, MASSCreative welcomed 11 individuals into the 2024-2025 Advocacy & Organizing Fellowship during an in-person orientation at the Worcester Public Library.
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.
