BOSTON, July 8, 2015— Statement by MASSCreative Executive Director Matt Wilson on final FY2016 state budget, which includes a $14.16 million investment in the arts, cultural and creative community. The $14.16 million allocation for the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) represents an 18 percent increase in funding for the MCC over last year’s allocation of $12 million. MASSCreative Executive Director Matt Wilson issued the following statement:

“We are grateful to state lawmakers and legislative leaders for this investment in arts and culture in the Commonwealth. Thanks to the advocacy work of the creative community, the Commonwealth’s investment in arts and culture has increased by 49 percent over the past three years from $9.5 million to $14.16 million. Even with this generous increase, however, the state is still investing nearly half of what it allocated for the arts, cultural, and creative community more than 25 years ago.

“We have a lot of ground to make up, but this increase is yet another step forward by state leaders to expand access to arts education that teach our students creativity and innovation; increase economic activity, particularly in the downtowns of our Gateway Cities; and develop more vibrant and connected communities that make our neighborhoods places where we want to play, work, visit and raise our kids.

“We congratulate the House and Senate leadership and all of the state legislators who supported budget amendments to increase funding. Credit also goes to the leaders and supporters of the creative community who effectively told their collective stories to the Massachusetts legislature. 

Specifically:

• More than 250 arts leaders and supporters met with over 70 representatives and senators during our Arts Matter Advocacy Day in March at the Citi Wang Theatre and the MA State House.
• Arts and cultural supporters sent 5,231 emails to Gov. Baker and the State Legislature showing them that arts matter in Massachusetts.
• The creative community recruited 103 representatives and 20 senators, a total of 123 out of 200 state legislators to sign on to amendments calling for an increase to the MCC budget.

 The budget now heads to Governor Baker’s desk, where he has 10 days to sign it.

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Founded in 2012, 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. More than 300 arts and cultural organizations from around the state are members of MASSCreative.