BOSTON, July 17, 2015—Today, Gov. Baker vetoed a $2 million increase in funding for the Massachusetts Cultural Council that was approved by state lawmakers. MASSCreative Executive Director Matt Wilson issued the following statement in response: 

“We are extremely disappointed in Gov. Baker’s short-sighted decision to veto the legislature’s increased investment in the Massachusetts Cultural Council. This funding is used to expand access to the arts for everyone in the Commonwealth, foster economic growth, educate our kids, and build vibrancy in our communities. But those who benefit most live in some of our most challenged and under-resourced communities.

“We have built momentum over the past three years by increasing the state’s investment in the arts by 49 percent from $9.5 million to $14.16 million. Even with the legislature’s 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 remain grateful to state lawmakers and legislative leaders who recognized and understood the vital need to increase investment in the creative community by $2 million and we look forward to working with them to overturn Gov. Baker’s veto.”

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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.