MASSCreative POLICY PRIORITIES
Our Focus
Massachusetts is home to a thriving and diverse creative sector that connects neighbors to each other, generates economic activity, and animates our communities. When difficult choices regarding public funding and policy decisions are made, the creative and cultural community’s interests must be considered.
Our Priorities:
At MASSCreative, thanks to the input of artists, creatives, cultural leaders and arts supportors, we have identified four priority areas to focus our advocacy efforts:
Public Investment for a More Creative, Vibrant and Equitable Massachusetts - Ensuring Massachusetts, local municipalities and the federal government are adequetely investing in the creative sector and public funding is distributed in equitable ways that result in a more diverse arts and cultural community.
Creative Economy - Pursuing policies and government support that encourages creative small businesses, independent creative workers and workforce development for the arts and cultural sector.
Spaces for Creativity and Cultural Use - Working to increase spaces that support the development and presentation of art and cultures. Ensuring that creative space is equitably offered and accessible to the full creative community.
Youth and Arts - Increase access to creative youth development programs and ensuring every child, regardless of school district has access to quality in-school arts education.
Our Guiding Value for All Policy Priorities:
Regardless of policy area or goal, MASSCreative prioritizes efforts that increase equity with Massachusetts’ creative sector and remove barriers that exclude individuals and communities from creative expression and cultural participation.
Last week, the House Ways and Means Committee released their FY26 Budget. Take action today to support creativity in Massachusetts.
Take action on the FY26 Mass Cultural Council and Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund budgets by signing our advocacy letter to the House and Senate.
Share your support for the Creative Sector Agenda with your elected officials.
Support increasing public art in Massachusetts by endorsing the PLACE Act.
Support total inclusion and access to the creative economy by endorsing the ACE Act.
Support the protection and expansion of future creative maker spaces by endorsing the Creative Space Act.
An important part of the governing process is public hearings. These occur on all levels of government (Federal, State, and Local). Understanding the hearing process and how you can participate will make you a more effective advocate for a more equitable and inclusive creative sector.
Maintaining and increasing public investment in the creative community requires constant and broad grassroots activism throughout the annual budget process.
There is a lot of misinformation on what a nonprofit can and cannot do when it comes to advocating for its interests and the needs of the communities they serve. Check out our Nonprofits and Advocacy Resource on how your organization effectively and confidently advocate for a more equitable and inclusive creative sector of all residents in the Commonwealth.
In this webinar, we took time to honor Juneteenth and Pride Month, and talked about the status of arts education funding and voting protections.
In this webinar, we discussed mapping our roles in a social change ecosystem, talked about proposed legislation to address COVID-19 voting options, the 2020 Census, and reviewed federal and state supports for the creative sector.
In this webinar, we had a community conversation about mapping our social change roles during times of crisis.
In this webinar, we reviewed the COVID-19 pandemic’s reported impact on the sector and the U.S. House’s passage of the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020.
In this webinar, we reviewed the HEROES Act, legislation addressing unemployment for self-insured non-profit employers, and legislation ensuring safe and participatory 2020 elections.
In this webinar, we reviewed the U.S. House HEROES Act, mandatory safety standards for workplaces, and the four-phase approach to reopening Massachusetts.
In this webinar, we reviewed the fourth COVID-19 stimulus bill, proposed state legislation to assist non-profits providing for COVID-19 unemployment benefits, and non-essential business closures.
In this webinar, we reviewed CARES Act 1.5, including PPP and the Health Care Enhancement Act, and the $75M included for the National Endowment for the Humanities.
In this webinar, we reviewed provisions in the CARES Act, the proposed state moratorium on evictions, and updated members on unemployment and health insurance changes.
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.
Last week, MOAC for the City of Boston announced that they are establishing a $10M multi-year Cultural Investment Grant funded through local ARPA appropriations.
“Budgets are a reflection of our priorities: what we choose to spend public funds on is in direct relationship to what we value. The creative sector plays a crucial role in the vibrancy of our cities and towns. Artists, creative workers, and cultural organizations strengthen our connections to each other and our communities.” said Emily Ruddock, Executive Director of MASSCreative