CREATIVE SECTOR SUMMIT

Learning, organizing, and realizing a creative Massachusetts for all.

Common Wealth Murals. Photography by Steph Craig Studios.

The Creative Sector Summit is an annual convening of cultural thought leaders, artists, creatives, policy advocates, educators, culture bearers, arts administrators, teaching artists, and public officials.

The Summit features insightful cross-sector panel conversations and an inspiring keynote address to invest in our statewide coalition of arts and culture leaders, teach applicable community organizing skills, and to scale the good work that creative communities are already doing across the Commonwealth.

JOIN THE HOST COMMITTEE

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 2026 SUMMIT

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FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2026

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NEW BEDFORD, MA

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SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 2026 SUMMIT | FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2026 | NEW BEDFORD, MA |

save the date for THE 2026 SUMMIT

Friday, JUNE 12, 2026

At the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center in New Bedford, MA

We are excited to bring the 2026 Creative Sector Summit to the SouthCoast. MASSCreative is committed to bringing the Summit to different regions of the Commonwealth each year to showcase our rich arts and cultural ecosystem. We held the first Summit in Lowell in 2024 and the second Summit to Northampton in 2025.

The 2026 Summit in New Bedford is taking place the day after AHA! Night, which celebrates New Bedford’s vibrant downtown corridor by harnessing the power of arts and culture. Please consider joining us for AHA! on Thursday before learning and connecting with us at the Summit on Friday.

Watch the launch video, created by filmmaker Ethan de Aguiar:

Help us design the 2026 Summit by joining the host committee. As a host committee member, you will assist with deciding this year’s theme, vote on session proposals, and help us get the word out and get people there.

By joining the host committee, you are agreeing to attend bi-monthly planning sessions and completing some individual work to advance the Summit. You will be recognized on MASSCreative’s website and on Summit materials as a host committee member.

Let us know you’re interested by signing up as an individual or organization.

SIGN UP AS AN INDIVIDUAL:

SIGN UP AS AN ORGANIZATION:

LEARN MORE

  • The Creative Sector Summit is an annual statewide convening presented by and for the Massachusetts creative sector to increase cultural policy leadership, and coalition-building towards a more inclusive and equitable creative sector for all residents. The convening will feature insightful conversations and workshops to strengthen the impact of the creative and cultural sector across the Commonwealth.

  • If you are a member of the arts and cultural community and ready to work across regions, issues, and sectors to build stronger coalitions, solidarity, and political power, this Summit is for you!

    We welcome artists, creatives, cultural organizations, creative small business owners, civic and community leaders and arts and cultural supporters.

  • The 2026 Creative Sector Summit will take place on Friday, June 12, 2026 at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

  • Help us design the programming and layout of the next Summit by joining the host committee. Complete the form above and we’ll follow up.

    Thank you to New Bedford Creative, and Explore New Bedford for joining the host committee!

  • If you are interested in volunteering at the 2026 Creative Sector Summit, please contact us at info@mass-creative.org and we will reach out.


    All volunteers are eligible for complimentary tickets to the Summit.

  • The Creative Sector Summit is possible thanks to support from participants and sponsors.

    If you are interested in supporting the 2026 Summit, you can learn more about sponsorship opportunities in this packet.

    Please contact info@mass-creative.org with any questions.

    Thank you to O’Neill and Associates for sponsoring the 2026 Summit.