HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THE Cultural Equity in Tourism BILL
H.3244 / S.2194: An Act creating a program to increase cultural equity in tourism promotion
Sponsored by Rep. Pat Duffy and Sen. Jake Oliveira
H.3244/S.2194 would establish a grant program within the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism to support tourism marketing and promotional expenses for arts and cultural organizations and prioritize amplifying the stories of historically marginalized or underrepresented cultures. By increasing local and regional tourism to more culturally diverse spaces and events, Massachusetts can support economic vitality for everyone.
LANDSCAPE
Before the pandemic, tourism was the third-largest industry in Massachusetts. In 2020, spending by domestic and international visitors totaled $10 billion. Tourism will play a crucial role in our success as we continue to rebuild a more competitive Massachusetts. However, too often, tourism marketing efforts in Massachusetts rely on a narrow set of attractions and regions to entice visitors, leaving out more diverse creative spaces, historical places, and regions in the Commonwealth. We can expand tourism throughout Massachusetts by investing in these organizations to strengthen their marketing and promotional activities.
WHAT THE BILL WOULD DO:
Provide grants to cultural organizations and historic places to attract, increase, and elevate local and regional tourism.
Funds could be used to strengthen and elevate the cultural, geographic, and creative diversity in the Commonwealth in tourism marketing.
Eligible uses for funding would include, but not be limited to, tourism publications, media advertisements, press kits, billboards, sponsorship of tourism trade shows and events, bid fees to assist in bringing events, and website design expenses.
Eligible recipients include nonprofit organizations or for-profit creative businesses whose primary missions support arts, culture, the humanities, or interpretive sciences. It would also support co-operatives or partnerships that include at least 70% artists, creative workers, or culture workers.
Funding for this grant would amount to no less than 1% of the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund.
The Grant program would be administered by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, in consultation with the Mass Cultural Council.
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 Cultural Equity in Tourism bill is endorsed by ArtsBoston, Boston Art Review, Cahoon Museum of American Art, Clark Ave Productions, Double Edge Theatre, Fall River Arts and Culture Coalition (FRACC), Firehouse Center for the Arts, Global Arts Live, Holyoke Civic Symphony, In the Spotlight Inc., Jacob's Pillow, John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum, Lynn Museum/LynnArts, Metropolitan Area Planning Council, Mass Humanities, Montserrat College of Art, New Bedford Historical Society, New Bedford Whaling Museum, Open Pixel Studios LLC, Pixel Artists Design, The Cordial Eye Gallery and Artist Space Inc., The Flavor Continues, Unbound Visual Arts, and Victory Theatre.
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.
