BOSTON, July 7, 2017—Today, the legislature voted to approve the conference committee budget for Fiscal Year 2018, including level funding for the Massachusetts Cultural Council at $14 million. This amount falls short of the increase requested by advocates for art, culture, and creativity throughout the Commonwealth, and the funding recommendation of the Senate, which approved a $2.5 million funding increase for the Mass Cultural Council in the spring. MASSCreative Executive Director Matt Wilson released the following statement: 

“We are deeply disappointed with the conference committee budget, and we will keep advocating for public investment in art, culture, and creativity in the Commonwealth through its funding for the Mass Cultural Council. 

“In Boston, the nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $1.4 billion of economic activity during 2015—$763.9 million in spending by arts and cultural organizations and an additional $590.2 million in event-related expenditures by their audiences. This activity supported 45,889 jobs and generated $87.3 million in revenue to local and state governments. This impact is replicated in cities and towns around the state, through projects funded in part by the Mass Cultural Council. 

“At a time when the Culture Wars have been revived in Washington, and there is talk of dismantling the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, we need leadership and support here in Massachusetts. We urge Governor Baker to approve $14 million in funding for the Mass Cultural Council when he signs the FY18 Budget."

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Founded in 2012, MASSCreative works to build a more vibrant, healthy, and equitable Massachusetts. MASSCreative works with artists, leaders, supporters, and partners of the arts, cultural, and creative community to advocate for the resources and support necessary for the sector to thrive. Nearly 400 arts and cultural organizations and working artists from across the Commonwealth are members of MASSCreative.