IN THE NEWS: ACE ACT Hearing
On Tuesday, October 10, 2023 advocates from the creative sector and disability community testified in support of H.151/S.113, An Act improving accessibility in the creative economy, referred to as the “ACE Act”. MASSCreative’s Executive Director, Emily Ruddock, was joined by Nicole Agois, Managing Director of Open Door Arts, and Christopher Robinson, Co-Founder of Think Outside the Vox to present leading advocate testimony supporting the Ace Act.
MEDIA HITS:
Bill Aims To Make Arts More Accessible (State House News Service)
Bill Aims to Make Arts More Accessible, Inclusive (Newburyport News/The Daily News)
Bill Aims To Make Arts More Accessible For Those With Disabilities (WBZ News Radio 1030)
Arts institutions back bill to expand access to people with disabilities (MassNonprofit News)
Bill aims to make arts more accessible, inclusive (Athol Daily News)
Emily Ruddock, MASSCreative’s executive director, shares updates about some of our grassroots organizing and legislative achievements in 2024 and a glimpse of what we are preparing for 2025.
On Friday, November 22, 2024, MASSCreative welcomed 11 individuals into the 2024-2025 Advocacy & Organizing Fellowship during an in-person orientation at the Worcester Public Library.
Read Richeline's blog about attending the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. and how artists can play a role in strengthening communities and democracy.
Three months into the new year, the Massachusetts creative sector is celebrating significant policy milestones through the Creative Sector Legislative Agenda, Economic Development Bond Bill, and FY25 Budget.
It’s been an eventful and exciting year! In this letter, Emily shares her thoughts on our accomplishments in 2023 and things we’re looking ahead to in 2024.
Meet our 2023-2024 Advocacy and Organizing Fellows!
On Friday, May 2, 2025, the Trump Administration continued its efforts to dismantle public investments and access to arts and culture through the cancellation of already approved arts project grants and by proposing the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, the Institute for Museum and Library Services, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in their FY26 Budget proposal.
Join us for this year’s statewide Creative Sector Summit on June 6th at the Northampton Center for the Arts. The theme of this year’s Summit is Meeting the Moment: Creative Advocacy & Cultural Organizing for Stronger Communities.
Announcing Giselle Byrd, Executive Director of The Theater Offensive, as our keynote speaker for this year’s Creative Sector Summit.
The Advocacy 301: Do’s and Don’ts training is designed to help participants understand how they can legally engage in advocacy and lobbying to assume stronger roles in civic life.
On April 16th, we welcomed Representative Sean Garballey (D-Arlington), the new House Chair of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development to our Artivist Town Hall. Rep. Garballey shared about his role within the committee, how committee members review and consider bills, and what advocates ought to know to advance their policy issues.
The Advocacy 201 training builds on the foundation of the Advocacy 101 session. In Advocacy 201, we will prepare you to take the lead in organizing your networks and communities. We’ll cover how to turn your network into an advocacy powerhouse, coordinate advocacy meetings with your elected officials, and use your social media platforms to help folks take action on the things you care about most.
