HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THE PLACE ACT
H.3246 / S.2190: An Act establishing a program for local art and community engagement
Sponsored by Rep. Mary Keefe, Rep. Steve Ultrino, Sen. Paul Mark, and Sen. Robyn Kennedy
The Program for Local Art and Community Engagement (PLACE) designates a percentage of construction costs on any Commonwealth-owned property and new public construction projects exceeding $200K for a public art fund. The fund would be used to create and maintain public art in communities across Massachusetts. PLACE codifies the process for commissioning public art, making it easier for cities and towns to engage their residents in developing relevant and inclusive public art for all.
LANDSCAPE
Public art connects us to each other, our communities, and our legacies. From the Boston Women’s Memorial and Shaw Memorial, to the OG Slick POW WOW Mural in Worcester, Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden in Springfield, North Shore Art Trail, and Through the Looking Glass in Barnstable, public art amplifies the diverse people and cultures throughout Massachusetts.
Beyond cultural placekeeping, public art is also an economic driver for communities that embrace it. In 2017, the Beyond Walls 10-Day international mural festival in Lynn generated over $100K for local restaurants and businesses. It also attracted more than 5,000 visitors who attended related festival events and watched the mural installations. After Bloomberg Philanthropies launched their 2018 Public Art Challenge for the U.S. Cities, projects contributed $100 million in total economic benefit for the five awarded economies, drew in 18.4 million in-person visits, activated the participation of 1,000 creative professionals and volunteers, commissioned 128 artists, and forged 226 cross-sector partnerships.
As Massachusetts continues to develop and expand our economy, we have the opportunity to build an inclusive, representative, and beautiful Commonwealth through investments in public art. The PLACE Act will get us there
WHAT THE BILL WOULD DO:
Creates the Program for Local Art and Community Engagement (PLACE) Fund for the selection, design, creation, acquisition, installation, maintenance, and conservation of public art on Commonwealth-owned, managed, or occupied buildings. The Commonwealth would have sole ownership of all artworks acquired through the PLACE Fund. The artist would retain copyright of the artwork unless otherwise noted in their contract.
The PLACE Fund would be held in trust by the Department of Housing and Community Development and administered by the PLACE Commission, in consultation with DHCD and the Mass Cultural Council. The PLACE Commission would consist of 13 members who have demonstrated commitments to public art and creative placekeeping.
The PLACE Commission would be required to convene local community advisory groups to ensure commissioned public art projects reflect the cultures and people where the public art is installed. The PLACE Act prioritizes work by and commissions from artists living and working in Massachusetts.
No less than 1/2 of 1% of funds budgeted for the construction or substantial renovation of any Commonwealth-owned, managed, or occupied building would go to PLACE; no less than 1/4 of 1% of state funds budgeted for new buildings or construction projects over $200K, excluding funding sources already designated for arts and cultural use, would go to PLACE. Funding could also be sourced through donations from individuals, museums, organizations, associations, nonprofits, businesses, estates, foundations, or other entities.
JOIN OUR ADVOCACY COALITION
MASSCreative Action Network is building a coalition of artists, cultural organizations, creative businesses, and sector allies to advocate for this necessary bill. We know that united advocacy works and we invite you to join our coalition today.
The PLACE Act is endorsed by Asian Community Development Corporation, Authentic Caribbean Foundation Inc., Beacon Gallery, Bellforge Arts Center, Boston Art Review, BostonAPP/Lab, Cahoon Museum of American Art, Chaos Bookery, City of Lowell, Creative Collective LLC, Creative Haverhill, Cultural Center of Cape Cod Inc., Embrace Boston, Grass Pillow, HarborArts, Holyoke Art Inc., Lynn Museum/LynnArts, Metropolitan Area Planning Council, Mudflat Pottery School Inc., New England Foundation for the Arts, New Art Center, Now and There, Rockport Art Association and Museum, Tzedeck.com, West Medford Community Center Inc., Winchester Cultural District, and Worcester Center for Crafts.
For Organizations and Businesses, we ask coalition members to:
Formally endorse the bill and allow us to use their names/logos on our bill advocacy materials.
Join the MASSCreative Action Network and the bill's sponsors at a press event to amplify the bill’s importance and build public support.
Testify at committee hearings and submit written testimony in support of the legislation.
Work to engage more state and local lawmakers to support the bill through meetings and outreach.
Share news, calls to action, and other advocacy efforts via social media and communication platforms.
Share your feedback on ways to strengthen the legislation.
CAN MY NONPROFIT ENDORSE LEGISLATION? Yes! Check out our guide for nonprofits interested in advocacy.
For Artists, Creative Workers, Advocates, and Individual Supporters, we ask coalition members to:
Formally share your support for the bill and allow us to add your name to formal letters of support.
Testify - or submit written testimony - at committee hearings supporting the legislation.
Share your support for the bill with your elected officials through meetings and outreach.
Share updates, calls to action, and other advocacy efforts via social media with your networks.
Share your feedback on ways to strengthen the legislation.
