On Tuesday September 28 at 11am the Joint Commitee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development will hold a hearing on S.2246 The Commonwealth Cultural Futures Act.

An important part of the legislative process are hearings where committees accept testimony from experts and constituents on bills. 

After a hearing the committee will make a recommendation on the bill. They can:

• Report it favorably and it will move forward in the process to become a law.
• Send it to Study, where it will receive more examination by legislative staff.
• Report it adversely and it will not continue forward at all.

What Advocates Can Do

There are two ways you can engage in the hearing process:

• Testify at the Hearing
• Submit Written Testimony

How Do I Testify at a Hearing?

You can sign up to testify via this online form.

You will have 3 minutes to share your thoughts on the bill and urge the committee to either favorably or adversely report the bill. 

In the case of this bill, we urge you to share your support for the legislation.

Below are some tips for preparing your testimony:

• Begin by addressing the Chairs of the committee
  • Chair Kennedy and Chair Fiola
• Thank the entire committee for the opportunity to share your support for the bill.
• Introduce yourself:
  • "For the record my name is (name) and I am (job title, profession, artistic discipline).
  • If you are from an organization feel free to share a sentence about the organization.
• State your support for S.2246 An Act to Rebuild the Commonwealth's Cultural Future.
• Finish by thanking the committee and offering to answer any questions they might have.

What is Written Testimony?

Writing testimony is an excellent way to add your voice to the public record. Written testimony is considered by committee members and staff when making final decisions. Below are some tips for writing testimony in support of S.2246 The Commonwealth Cultural Futures Act:

• Testimony can be submitted via email to Derek Dunlea or James Ostis at [email protected]  and [email protected].
• Use "Written Testimony – TACD 9/28/21" in the subject line.
• You should address the testimony to:

  • Hon. Edward J. Kennedy, Senate Chair, Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development Committee

  • Hon. Carole Fiola, House Chair, Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development Committee

Talking Points For Preparing Your Testimony (written or at the hearing)

• The arts and cultural sector was among the first to close and eighteen months later we are not fully reopened. 
• In the last 18 months 981 nonprofit arts and cultural organizations reported $588 million in lost revenue, impacting 30,000 jobs.
• Artists and creative workers reported $30 million in lost income over the same time period. 
  • Please add specifics about the negative impact of COVID-19 to your creative practice or organization's operations.
• These numbers do not include for profit arts businesses including independent live venues and creative consultancies. 
• In 2019, the arts and cultural sector in Massachusetts generated $100 million in state tax revenue and contributed $2.3 billion to the state economy. 
• Beyond economic impact, artists and cultural organizations have connected individuals isolated due to quarantine and public health closures, supported youth disconnected from school resources and after school programs and created  programs to improve public health educational outcomes.
  • Please add specific examples of how your creative practice or organization has supported the communities you serve over the 18 months. 
• S.2246, An Act to Rebuild the Commonwealth's Culture Future will ensure that the arts and cultural sector will receive necessary recovery support, funded through any monies the Commonwealth receives from the Federal Government.
• Over the summer, the legislature established a special commission to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 to the cultural sector and make recommendations for the its recovery.
• The Commission submitted a report to the legislature that recommends $575 million in state fiscal recovery funding over the next four years to the arts and cultural community. 
• Request that the committee favorably report S.2246 and amend it to increase the minimum allocated from $200 million to $575 million.
• Offer your contact information for any follow up the committee might like to do.
• Thank the committee Chairs for their service to the Commonwealth and leadership.