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State Budget Victory: $14.16M for arts & culture
Last week, the Massachusetts House and Senate passed the FY2016 budget for the Commonwealth, giving the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) $14.16 million – an 18% bump over last year.
This boost is the latest in a series of recent steps to restore state investment in arts and culture to previous levels from over 25 years ago. In 1988, funding stood strong at $27 million. In three years, the Commonwealth has experienced a 49% increase, working its way up from $9.5 million in 2012 to $14.16 million today.
This victory was made possible through the collective advocacy by leaders and supporters of the arts and cultural community. This year, its impact was greater than ever:
- More than 250 arts leaders and supporters met with over 70 representatives and senators during MASSCreative's Arts Matter Advocacy Day in March at the Citi Wang Theatre and the MA State House.
- Arts and cultural supporters sent 5,231 emails to Gov. Baker and the State Legislature showing them that arts matter in Massachusetts.
- The creative community recruited 103 representatives and 20 senators, a total of 123 out of 200 state legislators to sign on to amendments calling for an increase to the MCC budget.
Congratulations for making your voice heard in the state budget process.
Now, the budget sits on the governor’s desk and he is expected to sign the budget on Friday. Send a quick note to the governor voicing your support for the budget.
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