On October 25, the House Ways and Means Committee released its plan to disburse $3.65 billion of the more than $5 billion in federal funds allocated to Massachusetts via the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The bill sets aside $125 million for restoration and support of the arts and cultural sector, 3% of the total spending plan.

This amount is disappointing, especially given the significant losses artists, cultural organizations and arts business have sustained since March 2020. The pandemic-related closure of museums and stages and the cancellation of musical performances, plays, and other live performances, 981 arts and cultural nonprofit organizations—which represent a sliver of the state’s creative economy—have reported $588.3 million in pandemic-related losses. Nearly 3,000 creative workers in Massachusetts lost over $30 million during that same time. 

Before the pandemic, the arts and cultural sector contributed over $25.5 billion to the Commonwealth’s economy and supported 142,578 jobs resulting in $13.6 billion in total compensation.

Rep. Fernandes, Vice Chair of the Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development Committee filed amendment #109, which would increase the allocation to $175 million. We have just 48 hours to urge members of the House to co-sponsor the amendment before Thursday’s House debate. 

Make sure voice heard and encourage your state representative to support the increase today.

Co-Sponsors of Amendment #109 of H.3922 An Act relative to immediate COVID-19 recovery needs.
Sponsored by Representative Dylan Fernandes (D-Falmouth)

As of Wednesday October 28, 2021 at 4:00 pm
83 Co-Sponsors