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.
Join a coalition of artists, creatives, arts supporters, and change-makers to educate candidates and voters on the importance of a strong and inclusive creative community in Boston.
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.
On April 16th, we welcomed Representative Sean Garballey (D-Arlington), the new House Chair of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development to our Artivist Town Hall. Rep. Garballey shared about his role within the committee, how committee members review and consider bills, and what advocates ought to know to advance their policy issues.
The Advocacy 201 training builds on the foundation of the Advocacy 101 session. In Advocacy 201, we will prepare you to take the lead in organizing your networks and communities. We’ll cover how to turn your network into an advocacy powerhouse, coordinate advocacy meetings with your elected officials, and use your social media platforms to help folks take action on the things you care about most.
On April 2nd, we welcomed Senator Paul Mark (D-Becket), the returning Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development to our Artivist Town Hall. Sen. Mark shared about his role within the committee, how committee members review and consider bills, and what advocates ought to know to advance their policy issues.
Everyone can (and should!) be an advocate. To co-create an arts and culture sector that is more equitable and resilient, we need more people to see themselves as arts advocates and take action. The Advocacy 101 training is about equipping you with the foundational skills you need to advocate for the issues and communities that matter the most to you. This training is designed to prepare you to make the most of Creative Sector Advocacy Week 2025.
In March, we welcomed Kendra Patterson and Jessica Troe from the Massachusetts Budget & Policy Center for a presentation on the state's annual budgeting process and where to direct your advocacy.
Maintaining and increasing public investment in the creative community requires constant and broad grassroots activism throughout the annual budget process.
On Monday, January 27th, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget sent a memo to all federal agencies ordering the immediate freeze of all federal grants, loans, and other financial assistance funds. Learn more about what this means and what you can do.
In January, we welcomed organizers from the Berkshire/Columbia Counties Pay Equity Coalition to discuss their work to bridge wage disparities for entry—and mid-level employees at cultural organizations in Berkshire and Columbia Counties.
In December, we welcomed staff from the Massachusetts Health Connector to discuss open enrollment and navigating Massachusetts' health insurance marketplace. Open enrollment ends on January 23, 2025.
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.
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.
A recent piece of legislation provides nonprofit organizations more flexibility for governance and board activities.
Building relationships with elected officials and their staff is crucial to every advocate's work. Take a moment to learn who represents you on Capital Hill and at the State House.
Emily Ruddock, MASSCreative’s executive director, shares updates about some of our grassroots organizing and legislative achievements in 2024 and a glimpse of what we are preparing for 2025.
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!
