Update: Testimony for this bill is now closed. We will update on the progress of the bill shortly.

MASSCreative encourages individuals and organizations to submit testimony in support of H.4755, An Act Establishing a COVID-19 Nonprofit Cultural Organizations Emergency Relief Fund. 

The Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development held a virtual hearing on bill H.4755 on Friday, June 12. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, testimony will only be accepted via email. 

H.4755, An Act Establishing a COVID-19 Nonprofit Cultural Organizations Emergency Relief Fund, filed by Rep. John Barrett III and Rep. Smitty Pignatelli, will create a relief fund that will be distributed to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations throughout the Commonwealth. The bill directs the Mass Cultural Council to create a grant program to distribute the funds.

What is a Hearing?

One of the steps in the legislative process is a hearing of the bill by a committee assigned by the Legislature. Committees are assigned bills based on the content and focus of the bill. During a hearing the committee hears testimony from individuals and organizations supporting or opposing the legislation. 

Once the committee has held a hearing, they will recommend the next step for the bill. Next steps can include:

• Report the bill favorably out of committee - the bill will continue along the legislative process.
• Report the bill unfavorably out of committee - the bill will not continue.
• Report the bill to a study - the bill will mostly likely not continue.
• File an extension - the committee will take more time to decide on the bill's future.

We encourage individuals and organizations to submit testimony in support of H.4755, An Act establishing a COVID-19 nonprofit cultural organizations emergency relief fund. 

What is Testimony?

Testimony is a written or oral statement expressing support or opposition to a bill. Good testimony includes a well reasoned argument supporting your position that includes specific facts related to the bill. This statement is made to the members of the committee and is different than writing to your specific elected official because only the members of the committee will decide 

Here are some relevant points regarding H.4755, An Act establishing a COVID-19 nonprofit cultural organizations emergency relief fund:

The Arts and Culture Sector is integral to the financial recovery of the Commonwealth

The cultural sector creates jobs, revitalizes communities, and fuels tourism across the Commonwealth. In order to fully recover from the pandemic, the Massachusetts economy needs arts and culture.

• Nonprofit arts and cultural organizations spend $1.5 billion annually.
• Nonprofit arts and cultural organizations generate $877 million in indirect spending to restaurants, retail and other businesses by visitors annually.
• Nonprofit arts and cultural organizations support more than 71,000 jobs.

*Data courtesy of Mass Cultural Council’s 2020 Case Statement

The Arts and Culture Sector are integral to community well-being

Even with reduced financial and staff resources, the creative sector is supporting communities during the COVID-19 crisis by delivering programs that fight social isolation and converting their resources to support immediate needs.

• Example: The ICA in Boston converted their East Boston exhibition space into a food distribution center. 
• Example: Open Doors Arts and EdVestors distributed 4,400 art kits to students who were remote learning.
• Example: The North Shore CDC and The Punto Urban Art Museum paid artists to create posters promoting public health and educating residents on COVID-19

COVID-19 Has Financially Decimated the Creative Sector

Cultural organizations play an invaluable role in sustaining the Commonwealth’s financial and social well-being, but they have been hit hard by COVID-19.

• In April, a Mass Cultural Council survey found arts and cultural nonprofit organizations lost $264,000,000 from March - April due to COVID-19 closures.
• In April, a Mass Cultural Council also reported organizations having to furlough, lay off or reduce staff hours, affecting 15,000 jobs.

*Data Courtesy of the Mass Cultural Council.

Massachusetts Reopening Plan will Exacerbate the Arts and Cultural Sector’s Financial Crisis

Due to the nature of arts and cultural work, bringing large groups of people together, the Commonwealth’s reopening plan will not allow most arts and cultural organizations to reopen until the two phases. Without public investment from the Commonwealth, the diversity and strength of the creative sector will weaken and be unable to support a full recovery of Massachusetts. 

Testimony Tips

• Address testimony to the Senate and House Chairs of the Committee

• Include your name, address and contact information. If you are writing on behalf of an organization, share a bit about the organization.
• Email testimony to Garrett Burns, Legal Counsel, Office of Representative Paul D. McMurtry ([email protected])
• Testimony is due by Tuesday June 16, 2020 at 5pm