 |
  
|
Arts & Cultural leaders prepare to bring advocacy to the field
This fall, MASSCreative launched our Leadership Council, bringing together more than 40 leaders from across the Commonwealth to help MASSCreative build the strongest statewide grassroots arts and cultural advocacy network in the country. The Leadership Council consists of thought and advocacy leaders from all regions of the Commonwealth who not only engage their networks in action, but understand the potential of building a broad based movement for arts, culture, and creativity. As regional leaders and connections, the Council works to win bold campaigns for the larger arts and cultural community.
This group of passionate and talented leaders came together for its first official gathering on November 10 for the Leadership Council Retreat at the Walker Center in Auburndale. The day was full of thoughtful discussions and workshops about how to strengthen the arts and cultural sector’s ability to advocate for the resources and support necessary to build a more vibrant, healthy, and equitable Massachusetts.
A major highlight was guest speaker Margy Waller’s presentation on The Arts Ripple Effect. We’ve already seen how Council members are integrating the narrative of "arts as community builder" into communications, fundraising, and programming.
We look forward to the new year, when we’ll be working with Council members to tailor the workshops and discussions from the Retreat to regional gatherings across the state.
MASSCreative Leadership Council
| Jenny Arndt, Creative Haverhill | Alix Kennedy, Eric Carle Museum |
| Tracy Barbosa, artist | Tracy Kraus, Worcester Chamber Music Society |
| Dee Boyle Clapp, Arts Extension Service, UMass Amherst | David Kuehn, Cotuit Center for the Arts |
| Irene Buck, Westport Cultural Council | Phyllis Labanowski, Art for a Change |
| Cathy Carr Kelly, Central Square Theater | David Lavalley, The Natick Center for the Arts |
| Debra Cash, Boston Dance Alliance | Jen Lawless, Massachusetts Cultural Council |
| Laura Chadwell, Community Art Center | Seth Lepore, artist |
| Michelle Clarkin, Norman Rockwell Museum | Ashley Mac, Boston Children's Chorus |
| Craig Coogan, Boston Gay Men's Chorus | Burns Maxey, Easthampton City Arts+ |
| Kathy Czerny, South Shore Conservatory | Jason McCool, Solas Nua in Boston |
| Michelle Daly, MCLA Berkshire Cultural Resource Center | Jessica Morrison, American Repertory Theater |
| Corey Depina, Zumix | Susan Nicholl, MetroWest Visitors Bureau |
| Peter DiMuro, Dance Complex | Bridget O'Leary, New Repertory Theatre |
| Cedric Douglas, The Up Truck | Michelle Richardson, artist |
| Nicky Enriquez, MassArt | Karen Ristuben, Rocky Neck Arts Colony |
| Beth Falconer, Firehouse Center for the Arts | Gary Roberts, Medford Arts Council |
| Eugene Finney, Fitchburg Art Museum | Sara Robinson, Celebrity Series of Boston |
| Jean Ford Webb, Mother Brook Arts and Community Center | Aziza Robinson Goodnight, Artist in Transit |
| Noelle Foye, New Bedford Art Museum/ArtWorks! | Emily Ruddock, Merrimack Repertory Theatre |
| Ty Furman, Boston University Arts Initiative | Jon Saxton, artist |
| Jen Glockner, City of Pittsfield | Vanessa Snow, Hyde Square Task Force |
| Susan Halter, Cultural Organization of Lowell | Justin Springer, Outside the Box Agency |
| Steve Hays, Drama Studio | Julie Wake, Arts Foundation of Cape Cod |
| Lee Heald, AHA!New Bedford | Jerry Wedge, Umbrella Community Arts Center |
| Julie Hennrikus, StageSource | Reggie Williams, Press Pass TV |
| Judith Hoglander, Gloucester Stage | Meg Winikates, New England Museum Association |
| Priscilla Kane Hellweg, Enchanted Circle Theater | Lauren Wolk, Cultural Center of Cape Cod |
Policy Working Group
We know the arts, cultural, and creative community is integral to the vital concerns of Massachusetts policy makers and community leaders. That’s why MASSCreative’s Policy Working Group has been constructing a policy platform that will articulate a widely shared vision and core beliefs about the creative sector’s capacity to improve lives and build communities.
Among the six policy goals addressed in the Platform, we are addressing needs related to community, the economy, education, equity, space, and investment. Before it’s finalized, we will bring our draft policy platform to the field to invite more dialogue and refine and implement these policy goals. In the meantime, stay tuned for announcements of community meetings in the coming months.
Help us build vibrant & equitable communities.
Return to December News
