MASSCreative, Hyde Square Task Force, & Walnut Hill School for the Arts deliver 3,000 signatures to Governor Baker's office 

 Arts in Action: 3,000 signatures strong for public funding

2015 is shaping up to be a year of opportunity for the statewide arts and cultural community. With a new governor and new leadership in the State House, we have an important opportunity to make sure our voices count in the budget process. The next three months will be a key time to engage.  

In the early days of March, Governor Baker will announce his state budget proposal for fiscal year 2016, which will include a line item for the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC). Before he does, the statewide arts and cultural community is speaking up to convey a unified message: state investment is critical to the creative community’s ability to help drive the economy, enhance education, and help build community across the Commonwealth.

On Tuesday, February 17^th, MASSCreative and youth arts advocacy partners Hyde Square Task Force and Walnut Hill School for the Arts headed to the governor’s office to deliver this message, captured in the form of 3,000 signatures backing the Arts in Action petition.

Fresh off their Youth Arts Advocacy Retreat training, teens came ready to share their stories of impact and add narrative context to the case for state investment in arts and culture. In a thoughtful discussion with key staff from the governor’s office, a handful of youth from Hyde Square Task Force and Walnut Hill School for the Arts were able to share their experience in the arts and highlight the programming made possible by MCC funding.

By handing over 3,000+ signatures and sharing our stories, we made a compelling case for arts and cultural funding.