THE 2025-2026 CREATIVE SECTOR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
Realizing a more equitable and inclusive creative sector through state-level ADVOCACY AND policy change.
In Fall 2024, MASSCreative completed its second statewide listening series where we asked artists, creatives, and members of the creative sector what they need to live, work, and create in Massachusetts. The MASSCreative Action Network and Metropolitan Area Planning Council analyzed this feedback and partnered with cross-sector allies and legislative champions to propose three bills this session, each directly informed by members of the creative sector, that will contribute to a stronger creative economy, increase the sector’s access to public funding, and both grow and maintain creative maker spaces in Massachusetts.
THE 2025-2026 CREATIVE SECTOR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA:
-
H.3587 / S.2334: An Act to grow and maintain space in cities and towns for the creative economy
Sponsored by Rep. Dan Cahill and Sen. Liz MirandaThe Creative Space Act establishes “creative space” and “presentation space” land restrictions to protect and develop new creative production and exhibition spaces in Massachusetts. Spaces that are primarily used for the creation and practice of art, culture and creative expression by artists, creative workers, and artisans could be protected through these definitions. Applicable creative space use examples include, but are not limited to, sketching, design, prototyping, writing, rehearsing, composing, and recording, as well as developing, expanding, and maintaining skills and competencies that support creativity.
The Creative Space Act also establishes the option for municipalities to create their own Municipal Creative Space Trust Fund to acquire, purchase, maintain, and otherwise hold onto creative maker space assets.
This bill was assigned to the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development.
-
H.224 / S.160: An Act improving accessibility in the creative economy
Sponsored by Rep. Dan Donahue and Sen. Paul MarkThe ACE Act would create a grant program so that arts, culture, humanities, and interpretive science organizations can have additional resources to make their programs and facilities more accessible to people with disabilities.
The ACE Act would be funded through a small percentage of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services budget and would establish a commission to set the criteria for grant eligibility. The commission would be made up of a majority of individuals with disabilities and experienced disabilities advocates.This bill was assigned to the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
-
H.3592 / S.2332: 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 KennedyThe PLACE Act creates a percent-for-public-art program in Massachusetts. Under this bill, a percentage of public construction costs spent on Commonwealth-owned property would go to a public art fund to create and maintain public art. This bill creates a commission with representation from the creative community to set the criteria for eligible public art projects.
This bill was assigned to the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development.
Download the PLACE Act Fact Sheet.
Share your support by endorsing the PLACE Act.
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
The MASSCreative Action Network is building a coalition of artists, cultural organizations, creative businesses, and cross-sector allies to advocate for the 2025-2026 Creative Sector Legislative Agenda.
We know that united advocacy works. You can have an immediate impact on the coalition’s work by taking action in the following ways:
ENDORSE CREATIVE SECTOR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA BILLS AS AN INDIVIDUAL, ORGANIZATION, OR BOTH.
The more endorsers we have, the stronger our message is to legislators that these bills have broad, statewide support.
What does it mean to endorse a bill? As an endorser, we will ask you to support these bills as follows:
Endorsers give the MASSCreative Action Network permission to include their name on our website, in public testimony, and with legislators.
We encourage endorsers to testify in support of the bill at public committee hearings and submit written testimony in support of the legislation.
Work to engage more state and local lawmakers to support the bill through email, phone calls, and other 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.
You can endorse these bills by using the links in the above bill descriptions or visiting our Take Action page.
Question: Can a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization endorse legislation without jeopardizing its tax-exempt status? Answer: Yes! Check out our guide for nonprofits to learn more.
ASK YOUR STATE SENATOR AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE TO CO-SPONSOR THESE BILLS.
Our elected officials want to hear from you (their constituent) about what matters in your community. You can use this handy form to drop a note to your State Representative and State Senator asking them to co-sponsor the Creative Sector Legislative Agenda.
Tell them why you support this legislation and how it would serve the creative community in your district.
Tip: don’t get too concerned about sharing your message the perfect way. Legislators want to hear directly from their constituents and the important thing is letting them know why this issue matters to you.
Not sure who your State Senator and State Representative are? Use our tool to find out!
SHARE THE NEWS AND ENCOURAGE YOUR AUDIENCE, CO-WORKERS, STAFF, AND BOARD MEMBERS TO ALSO ENDORSE THE CREATIVE SECTOR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.
Visit our Take Action page for more information about each bill.