Update: On January 14, Governor Baker signed An Act Enabling Partnerships for Growth into law.

We are delighted to share that the follow items were included in the signed bill:

• $31 million in authorized spending specifically for the arts and cultural nonprofit sector (including individual artists and creative workers).
• A special commission to study the impact of COVID-19 on the arts and cultural sector and make recommendations for the promotion and continued growth and vitality of the cultural and creative sector in the Commonwealth.
• $14 million in authorized spending for a competitive grant program to increase in and out of state tourism (nonprofits are eligible).

This is great news for arts and cultural recovery! Thank you to those who joined in our shared advocacy efforts.

Send a note of thanks today to Governor Baker and Legislative Leadership for including relief for arts and culture in the final bill.

The 191st Legislative Session officially ended Wednesday January 6 at midnight. In an unprecedented formal legislative session, we are delighted to share that the legislature passed An Act Enabling Partnerships for Growth, an economic development bond bill that included specific relief and recovery provisions for the creative community in Massachusetts. 

• $31 million in authorized spending specifically for the arts and cultural nonprofit sector (including individual artists and creative workers).
• A special commission to study the impact of COVID-19 on the arts and cultural sector and make recommendations for the promotion and continued growth and vitality of the cultural and creative sector in the Commonwealth.
• $14 million in authorized spending for a competitive grant program to increase in and out of state tourism (nonprofits are eligible).

We are thankful to Senate President Spilka, Speaker Mariano, the members of the Conference Committee including Ways and Means Committee Co-Chairs Senator Rodrigues and Representative Michlewitz, Economic Development Committee Co-Chairs Senator Lessor and Representative Ferrante, and Ranking Minority Members Senator O’Connor and Representative Wong;  as well as the Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development Committee Co-Chairs Senator Kennedy and Representative McMurtry for their support and leadership. 

Our legislators understand that the creative sector in Massachusetts animates downtowns and main streets, supports community cohesion and helps young people develop into next generation leaders -all vital to Massachusetts's economic success and sustainability. 

Now we need Governor Baker to sign the bill into law and retain all the of the provisions listed above. 

Over the last ten months, MASSCreative, grassroots advocates, arts leaders and creative workers worked together to identify every opportunity to advocate for relief and recovery for the arts and cultural sector. The provisions in the economic development bond bill that protect and support the creative community did not appear by accident. They were included because a strong, connected network of arts advocates and cultural leaders spoke in support of this legislation.  

Detailed Breakdown - An Act Enabling Partnerships for Growth

$31 million in authorized spending specifically for the arts and cultural sector. 

• $6 million for a grant program to be administered by the Massachusetts Cultural Council to promote artists, local museums, arts nonprofits and cultural institutions in response to COVID-19 by creating new mediums to showcase work in a variety of media formats and platforms, including, video, audio and interactive platforms.
  • Priorities include:
    • Promoting remote access to cultural experiences, new operation and programming models.
    • A commitment by artists and museums to improve and diversify access to remote cultural experiences.
    • Grants shall be awarded in a manner that promotes geographic, social, racial, and economic equity
• $5 million for a competitive grant program to be administered by the Massachusetts cultural council, in consultation with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, to assist public school districts in providing access to cultural experiences in the community, including  arts, humanities and sciences, through the use of information technology.  Grants shall be awarded in a manner that promotes geographic, social, racial, and economic equity. 
• $20 million for a non-profit infrastructure and equipment grant program administered by the Massachusetts cultural council; to non-profit arts, cultural and tourism institutions and organizations that temporarily suspended in-person public attendance due to the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic
  • Priorities include:
    • capital improvements and equipment purchases deemed critical to safeguard institution staff, volunteers and exhibitions
    • capital improvement and equipment purchases deemed critical to safely allow public attendance
    • relative financial need of the applying institution
    • geographic, social, racial, and economic diversity of grant recipients
    • diversity of type of organizations or institutions receiving funding
    • the likelihood that one-time infrastructure and equipment assistance will enable the institution to reopen safely and sustainably

A Special Legislative Commission to review and develop recommendations and best practices for the recovery, promotion and continued growth and vitality of the cultural and creative sector in the commonwealth. Commission Members include: Co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development, Executive Director of the Mass Cultural Council, Executive Director of MASSCreative, a member of the Commonwealth Association of Museums, a member of the Educational Theatre Association, 7 members to be appointed by the co-chairs, 2 of whom shall be representative from 2 different designated cultural districts and 5 artists from different disciplines and sectors, including the arts, humanities and sciences. 

The commission shall examine ways to increase recovery and promote remote operations and programming in the commonwealth, including, challenges maintaining and operating programming, including, training staff, developing new creative work regardless of format, barriers in reopening physical locations and maintaining a virtual presence, strategies for increased marketing and strategies for cross-promotional partnerships with other industries, including the hospitality industry. (Section 99)

$14 million for a competitive match-based grant program administered by the Office of Travel and Tourism to promote in-state tourism and improve facilities visited by in-state and out-of-state travelers to increase visitation and increase the direct and indirect economic impacts of the tourism industry. Businesses, regional tourism councils, nonprofits and municipalities are eligible. $4M will be specifically allocated to regional tourism councils. 

• Priorities for grant awards include 
  • Socially or economically disadvantaged businesses 
  • Minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, and immigrant-owned small businesses, that have historically faced obstacles accessing capital 
  • Geographic equity

What's Next? 

Unlike the annual state budget, bond bills work a little differently: Governor Baker must not only sign the bill but include the authorized spending in his FY22 Capital Spending Plan. 

Once the bill has been signed into law, we will work together to advocate that all $31M of authorized funding is included in Governor Baker’s FY22 Capital Spending plan.  This step is crucial to our success. We'll update advocates and supporters on this next step.