Arts and Culture in Your District

Art and culture plays a role in the Commonwealth from Boston and the Gateway Cities and our rural and suburban towns.  Please provide us with a story of the impact a local arts or cultural institution brings to your district.

The 1794 Meeting House is a gem in my area and life. It enriches my soul, thinking and actions.

Arts Education and Programs for our Youth

Creativity and innovation are vital skills in a student’s education. While many communities have access to quality arts education, many youth are still being left out of the creative community. How will you champion arts education for our youth both in our schools and in our communities? Continue to be an outspoken advocate on the importance of this and to insure funding when possible. How will you balance the importance of arts education with the constant pull to “teach to the test”?  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? Do you support adding ‘arts’ into the Commonwealth’s STEM program to transform it to STEAM?

 Absolutely and advocate for this.

Continued reinforcement that it is not either /or but and.

Economic Development

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 ecosystem, which supports the creative community and industry across the Commonwealth?

Not sure, would like some ideas to understand so I can help drive these.

Addressing the Commonwealth’s Socioeconomic Issues

Massachusetts faces many economic and social issues, among them workforce development, public safety, and health care. Can you provide examples on how you would utilize the arts, cultural, and creative community to address the Commonwealth’s social and economic challenges?

A broad education and personal exposure to arts and culture is fundamental to individuals and societies to reach their dreams and to achieve their potential. Setting expectations, improving policy and funding all will help.

The Commonwealth’s Support and Role in the Creative Community

• Last year, Massachusetts invested $12 million in organizational support through the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) for the creative community, ranking it ninth in the country. In 1988, the MCC gave out more than $27 million in grants, more than twice what we do now. At what level would you fund the MCC?  

A much more aggressive investment is needed and clear performance management of the outcomes from the funds and an accountability that rural and more challenged neighborhoods and rural towns achieve disproportionate funding because they have disproportionate disadvantage.

• For the past two years, Governor Patrick allocated $15 million in matching grants through the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund to support the maintenance, repair, and rebuilding of the Commonwealth’s cultural facilities. At what level do you suggest the Commonwealth fund this program?

 A much more aggressive investment is needed and clear performance management of the outcomes from the funds and an accountability that rural and more challenged neighborhoods and rural towns achieve disproportionate funding because they have disproportionate disadvantage

• Would you develop or dedicate a revenue stream to provide a sustainable and stable funding stream for the arts, cultural, and creative community?

 Interesting idea would like more information on this.