In just a few weeks Governor Healey and her administration with release their first annual state budget proposal and kick off the FY24 State Budget process. Let's encourage Governor Healey, Lt. Governor Driscoll, and Secretary Gorzkowiz to increase support for a more equitable and inclusive art and cultural sector in their inaugural state budget.
$5 For Creativity
Last year, the FY23 State Budget included $22.5M for Mass Cultural Council's operations and grant programs, a 12% increase from the previous fiscal year's budget and approximately $3.28 per resident. However, even with this increase, we know the challenges facing the creative sector require significantly more public support. That's why we are launching the $5 for Creativity campaign. We want to reach $5 of public support for every resident in the Commonwealth - $35 million total.
Our first step is a letter, co-signed by artists, cultural leaders, creative workers, arts supporters, and political changemakers in Massachusetts urging the Governor to include $35 million for the Mass Cultural Council operations and grant programs. Read our letter and add your name below.
Add your information below to the letter we send to Governor Healey, Lt Governor Driscoll and Secretary GorzkowizDear Governor Healey, Lt. Governor Driscoll, and Secretary Gorzkowiz,First, thank you for your leadership and service to the people of the Commonwealth. We understand you are developing your inaugural state budget, and we wish to share our support for an increase in the Mass Cultural Council's budget to raise state investment in the creative sector to $5 per resident.
Massachusetts' creative and cultural economy has a powerful impact on our communities in myriad ways. The US Bureau of Economic Analysis rates the economic value of arts and cultural production in Massachusetts at $23.7 billion, more than retail and construction. Creative expression and cultural experiences - powered by the creative workforce - strengthen community bonds and pride of place. Young people, who have access to arts education in the classroom or through creative youth development programs, develop the creative thinking skills and social and emotional learning necessary to become resilient, innovative, and empathic leaders in the future. The Creative Sector is integral to Massachusetts' future success and achieving your vision of the Commonwealth.
As artists, cultural leaders, creative workers, and arts supporters, we encourage you to consider our goal of reaching $5 per resident by allocating $35 million for the Mass Cultural Council, our state's arts agency, in your FY24 budget.
In a recent survey, most Massachusetts residents (65%) rated arts and cultural organizations as highly important. This was especially true for individuals with income below $50,000 (72%), who are more likely to seek out opportunities to process their emotions and heal or grieve through the arts. Given the outsized impact that the creative sector has on the daily lives of almost every resident of the Commonwealth, we are eager to see our value reflected in your inaugural state budget.
Last year, the Mass Cultural Council received $22.3M in the annual budget, approximately $3.28 per resident and 0.004% of the overall FY23 State budget. By reaching $5 per resident, you can ensure the benefits of a thriving creative sector, including social cohesion, economic vitality, and community development, are felt by everyone.
Thank you for your consideration, leadership, and service to the residents of the Commonwealth.
Sincerely,
Members of the Creative and Cultural Community
We welcome sign-ons from individuals, organizations, and businesses and will collect signatures until the end of the day Friday, February 3rd.
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