Baker proposes modest 2% Increase to MCC

On, January 25, Governor Baker released his FY18 state budget proposal, recommending a 2 percent bump to the Commonwealth’s investment in the arts and cultural community. This proposal increases the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s budget to $14.3 million. Although modest, this is the first time in nearly a decade that a Massachusetts Governor’s budget has proposed an increase in funding for the Massachusetts 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 welcome and appreciate this leadership in showing support for the arts in Massachusetts. Funding for the Massachusetts Cultural Council is more important than ever,” said Tracie Konopinski, MASSCreative’s Senior Campaign Organizer, who will be engaging the sector to act throughout the budget process.

As the budget process moves along, MASSCreative will work with Representatives and Senators to boost the Massachusetts Cultural Council budget to $16 million and provide the arts and cultural community with the support it needs to help build vibrant, healthy, and equitable communities across Massachusetts. 

The Governor’s proposal is a significant turnaround, considering just seven months ago, he vetoed $7.7 million out of the Massachusetts Cultural Council budget. Send Governor Baker a note to thank him for using his state budget to make a statement for the arts.

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