House Ways and Means Proposes $25.9M for the Mass Cultural Council in FY25
On April 10, 2024, the House Ways and Means Committee announced their proposed spending plan for FY25 and included $25,895,000 for the Mass Cultural Council (line item 0640-0300). The House Ways and Means Budget proposes a 2% increase over Gov. Healey’s H.2 allocation for the Mass Cultural Council, and recommends an overall 3.58% increase over FY24’s historic investment of $25 million for the agency.
In March, the Mass Cultural Council testified to the Joint Committees on Ways and Means expressing their support for the $25.5 million included in H.2. In their testimony, they urged House and Senate members to also adopt $25.5 million in FY25. MASSCreative has joined the Mass Cultural Council in urging the Legislature to approve $25.5 million for their grants and operating budget.
The creative sector is a proven economic stimulant in Massachusetts. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) recently reported that in 2022, arts and cultural production in the state accounted for $28.6 billion in economic impact, 133,773 jobs, and 4.1% of the state’s economy. Arts and cultural production ranked 2nd in Massachusetts among comparison sectors in terms of value added. At the local level, an economic and social impact study conducted by Americans for the Arts revealed that Springfield’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $82.4 million in economic activity in 2022, supporting 1,483 jobs and generating $15.3 million in local, state, and federal revenues. Other key findings from the Springfield AEP6 show that the Springfield nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $29 million in event-related spending by its audiences, and the average attendee spent $31.85 per person on event-related goods in the local economy on items such as retail, parking and hospitality.
The proposed investments in creativity are significant at a time when state revenue collections are below projections and legislators are warning of a leaner FY25 Budget. In the last week, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that they are instituting hiring controls amid the concerning revenue outlook. The House’s planned increase for the Mass Cultural Council signifies an understanding from elected leaders that a stronger creative economy is vital not only for social and cultural vibrancy in towns and cities, but also for economic resiliency and growth.
MASSCreative is encouraging its members to thank their state representatives and House leadership for their support of arts and culture in the FY25 Budget. As a statewide arts and culture advocacy organization, MASSCreative will continue working in coalition with individual artists, creatives, cultural organizations and institutions, cross-sector partners, and elected officials to advocate for $25.9 million for the Mass Cultural Council in the final FY25 spending plan. Visit our House Ways and Means FY25 Budget action page for more guidance about thanking your state representative.
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