MASSCREATIVE ACTION NETWORK’S 2024 MEMBERSHIP APPEAL
The MASSCreative Action Network (MCAN) is made up of individual artists, creatives, nonprofit leaders, creative entrepreneurs, cultural organizations, and supporters who represent the diversity and uniqueness of the creative sector in Massachusetts. MCAN uses grassroots organizing principles and practices to advocate for increased public investments for arts and culture at the state, local, and federal levels. We are confident that by uniting our advocacy efforts, we can achieve the policy changes needed to make the sector stronger, more inclusive, and more equitable.
MCAN serves as a direct line between your local creative community and the State House. We work with our network of members, elected officials, and cross-sector allies to build broad coalitions of arts and culture supporters, propose comprehensive policy solutions to address the issues you’re facing in your community, and grow public support for legislation that will benefit the entire creative ecosystem. Together, we can ensure that Massachusetts remains a state where artists can create, work, and thrive.
Over the past decade, the MASSCreative Action Network has been central to the organizing efforts behind major cultural policy achievements in Massachusetts.
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Together, we secured additional resources for artists and creatives in the state:
We successfully advocated to increase the Mass Cultural Council’s annual budget by more than 200%. While the agency’s FY24 Budget is currently $25 million, MCAN is committed to organizing for $5 per capita, or $35 million, for the Mass Cultural Council over a multi-year campaign.
We secured more than $60 million in COVID-19 Cultural Sector Recovery funding.
We increased the state’s organizational and capital investments in the creative community by more than $33 million: a 66% increase in annual funding.
We worked with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to improve the quality and access of arts education in our public schools.
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After organizing a statewide listening tour in Fall 2022 and hearing directly from creative communities about what they need to prosper, we got to work finding solutions.
In January 2023, the MASSCreative Action Network worked with key thought partners and legislative champions to introduce the Creative Sector Legislative Agenda: five bills that are informed by and of our creative sector. They are the Creative Space Preservation Act (H.3241/S.530); The Downtown Vitality Act (H.228/S.130); The PLACE Act (H.3246/S.2190); The ACE Act (H.151/S.113); and The Cultural Equity in Tourism Bill (H.3244/S.2194).
The Creative Space Preservation Act, Downtown Vitality Act, PLACE Act, and ACE Act all received favorable reports from their committees and are moving on to the next stage of the legislative process.
More than 200 individual artists, creatives, and cultural organizations are part of the MASSCreative Action Network. Our network includes individuals, galleries, theaters, historical societies, choirs, symphonies, music festivals, museums, arts councils, and more. You can find the full list of members on our JOIN PAGE.
Your participation as a MASSCreative Action Network member positions you within a cohort of artists, creatives, cultural organizations, and culture bearers who are committed to making the sector more welcoming and supportive for everyone in Massachusetts. By joining the Action Network, you are publicly leading on these issues and demonstrating to policymakers that our coalition is diverse, active, and influential.
Members contribute annual dues to the Action Network to sustain this cultural policy development. If you have never been a MCAN member, this is a great time to join! If you contributed last year, this is your time to renew your membership by making a contribution for 2024.
Dues are suggested on a sliding scale based on an organization’s operating budget or individual’s ability to give. We strive to keep membership dues affordable and equitable.
MEMBER benefits
In addition to the valuable contributions you’ll make to the sector, you will also receive these member benefits:
You will directly contribute towards cultural policy development in Massachusetts.
Your name will be listed on our website and we’ll assist you with promotion.
Members are eligible for discounts to our ticketed events.
You will receive a 50% discount on all direct consulting services from our team. Direct consulting services include workshop or event facilitation and community organizing strategy time.
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Direct consulting services are when you ask our team to help with facilitating workshops or devote time to strategizing specific community organizing campaigns.
Examples:
If our team member asks you to co-host a regional roundtable event, that is NOT a direct consulting service.
If you contact our team and ask us to facilitate a workshop for your organization, that IS a direct consulting service.
Rates for Direct Consulting Services:
Direct Consulting Time and Workshop Facilitation (Virtual): $100/hr.
Direct Consulting Time and Workshop Facilitation (In Person): $125/hr
Strategy Time (Virtual): $50/hr
Strategy Time (In Person): $75/hr
Benefits as a MASSCreative Action Network Member:
Members receive a 50% discount for all consulting services and strategy time. The first strategy session is free for all members.
To make a contribution by check, please mail it to:
MASSCreative Action Network
15 Channel Center Street, Suite 103
Boston, MA 02210
Our 2024 appeal is happening now through June 30, 2024. For any questions related to your membership, please contact Kelsey Rode, Director of External Relations, at krode@mass-creative.org. For all other questions, please contact mcan@mass-creative.org.
