Create the Vote – Fitchburg and Lunenburg
A Public Education Project
Fitchburg Cultural Alliance/MASSCreative
Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy Questionnaire
2016 Massachusetts State Representative Candidates
3rd Worcester District
The arts, culture, and the creative economy are vital contributors to the vibrancy and health of the City of Fitchburg and its residents. They are positive aspects of our city that instill civic pride and help to attract and retain business, workforce, and taxpayers. They contribute to the local economy, and bring in tourist dollars. Arts education in our public schools fosters overall academic excellence. And Fitchburg State University trains hundreds of students annually for careers in the visual and performing arts, advertising and marketing, graphic design, video game design and software, communications media, cultural non-profit leadership, and other creative fields.
Questions
1. What personal experience with arts, culture, or creativity has had an impact on your life and your view of our community?
2. Fitchburg’s new Mayor (and former State Representative) has long been an energetic supporter of the arts and culture on the state level, and views the creative economy as vital to his plans for the revitalization of the City of Fitchburg. As State Representative, how will you work to help Mayor DiNatale realize his vision for the City?
3. As State Representative, how will you support the transformation of the B. F. Brown building and adjacent properties into a campus of apartments and workspaces for creative professionals and entrepreneurs, to help stabilize the North of Main neighborhood and revitalize downtown Fitchburg?
4. Nonprofit art and cultural organizations support more than 45,000 jobs, spend $2.1 billion annually, and generate another $2.5 billion of economic activity. How will the legislature foster an environment that supports the creative community and tourism across the Commonwealth, and particularly in North Central Massachusetts?
5. Creativity and innovation are vital skills in a student’s education and in workforce development in our 21st century economy. How will you champion arts education? Would you support joining ten other states to make one year of arts education in high school a requirement for admission to the state university system?
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The Fitchburg Cultural Alliance promotes excellence, access, education, and diversity in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences in order to improve the quality of life and economic vitality for Fitchburg residents and surrounding communities. The FCA represents over 30 local creative non-profits, businesses, and individuals
MASSCreative works with creative leaders and entrepreneurs, working artists, arts educators, and arts and cultural supporters to empower creative organizations and the public with a powerful voice to advocate for the resources and support necessary to build vibrant and connected communities.
