Create The Vote
Connecting the creative community and candidates.
Since 2013, Create the Vote campaigns have engaged voters and candidates for office about the way that arts, culture, and creative expression build inclusive, connected, and more equitable communities. Through our past engagement, we have proven that our unified voices work in raising the profile of artists, creative workers, cultural nonprofits, and creative small businesses during elections.
Playing our part during election season.
In 2020, Create the Vote expanded efforts to use art and culture to develop creative strategies to register people to vote, educate voters about casting ballots by mail, encourage people to participate in the electoral process, and increase voter turnout.
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In 2013, MASSCreative developed Create the Vote, an advocacy campaign to elevate arts and culture in the Boston Mayoral Election. Through the support of the Barr Foundation and partnership with Boston arts stakeholders, the Create the Vote campaign successfully brought the needs of the creative sector front and center for candidates and voters. Through Intimate roundtable discussions, questionnaires and a town hall forum, candidates heard directly from the creative community on pressing needs of the sector. During the town hall forum, Mayor Walsh publicly committed to appointing a Chief of Arts and Culture for the City to his Cabinet.
Each year MASSCreative works with partners to elevate the creative sector during election season. In 2021 we worked on the Boston Mayoral election and in 2022 we prioritized the Statewide Gubernatorial election. In 2024 we will focus on open seats within the State Legislature. The new Create the Vote coalition campaign program will use a similar campaign activity model as before, but place priority on the development of local coalitions who work together long after the election ends for continued shared advocacy work.
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Our democracy depends on free and fair elections, where communities come together to decide who will represent them. Artists, creatives, and cultural organizations are trusted community leaders who have a responsibility to play their part in encouraging voter turnout.
To support voter accessibility, MASSCreative will work with artists, creative workers, and cultural organizations to increase voter registration during this election cycle. Through Let’s Get Registered, MASSCreative will work with partners to run registration drives, provide clarity around voter eligibility and timelines, and support Massachusetts residents with tangible resources to make a voting plan ahead of election day.
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In 2025, cities and towns across Massachusetts will hold municipal elections to decide who will lead and manage our communities.
We are eager to work with passionate advocates to ensure arts, culture and creativity is on the ballot in November.
2025 Create the Vote Coalitions:Join the Boston coalition.
Join the Newton coalition.
Join the Somerville coalition.
Email createthevote@mass-creative.org if you are interested in starting a campaign in your community. -
Interested in learning how you can get involved with these coalitions or form your own in a different community? Attend our open house on Thursday, March 6th at 12 PM to learn more. Register here.
