BOSTON, December 18, 2020—The Mass Cultural Council has announced that Michael J. Bobbitt will serve as its next executive director. MASSCreative Executive Director Emily Ruddock issued the following statement in response: 

“This is truly wonderful news, and we congratulate Michael J. Bobbitt as well as the Mass Cultural Council. Michael is a champion for making the transformative power of art accessible to all. MASSCreative has worked closely with Michael in his role as Artistic Director of New Repertory Theatre in Watertown and we have seen first hand his commitment to community organizing and advocacy. 

“MASSCreative shares Michael’s vision for a vibrant, community-based arts sector that builds liveable neighborhoods, enhances education, develops robust local economies, contributes to health and well-being, and builds trust and respect across differences to advance social justice and cultural equity. Michael’s talent is what our community needs now as it continues to reckon with the devastating economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic, which has triggered $478 million in revenue losses since March. We look forward to working with Michael in ensuring that every resident of the Commonwealth has access to art, culture, and creativity.”

About MASSCreative

MASSCreative works with artists, cultural councils, arts organizations and the broader creative community to build a Commonwealth where arts and creativity are an expected, recognized, and valued part of everyday life. Working with our coalition of 400 arts and cultural organizations and artists from across the Commonwealth, MASSCreative uses public education and awareness, grassroots organizing, advocacy campaigns, and other civic and political engagement to ensure that arts, culture, and creativity are considered when important policy and political decisions get made at the state and local level.