“We are deeply disappointed with the budget approved by the House, which calls for a 13 percent cut in funding for the Massachusetts Cultural Council. That would lower the state’s investment in arts and culture from $14.1 million to $12.1 million. 

“With the Trump Administration proposing the elimination of funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, now is not the time to step back from our commitment to the arts. We need local leaders to step up. The support of Governor Baker, who proposed a modest increase to the MCC budget, and that of the 116 representatives who supported an amendment to increase MCC funding to $16 million, shows that there is a bipartisan appetite for such leadership.

“Here in Massachusetts, arts and cultural businesses and organizations are a vital contributor to the economy, supporting more than 128,000 jobs, which is more than those generated by transportation and utilities combined, and nearly half of those jobs come from the nonprofit sector supported by the MCC. Arts organizations and local cultural councils in every region of the state also provide a diverse array of cultural activities that help our cities and towns to be more attractive to residents and visitors alike; promotes educational programming that helps students of all abilities to excel across all academic disciplines; and builds more vibrant, connected and equitable communities. Finally, public investment in the arts ensures that art is accessible to all—young and old; rich and poor; urban and rural; and every race and ethnicity. 

“We look forward to working with arts leaders in the Massachusetts Senate as they build their state budget to increase the state’s investment in the MCC to $16 million.”

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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.