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photo of a lit gallery wall, covered in works on paper and paintings. in the foreground is a black silhouette of a woman holding a mic and performing
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Equity Journey Map

Working to invest financial, programmatic, and informational resources equitably.

2024
November 27
Equity Progress Report (Sept-Nov ’24)

photo of an ASL interpreter signing on the stage of the Boston Hatchshell.

A regular update on our equity work (Image: Breaking Down Barriers Coordinator Christopher Robinson provides ASL interpretation of the feel of the music as Boston Landmarks Orchestra performs.)

October 7
Native American and Indigenous People’s Equity Plan Featured Nationally

painted canvas with 4 quadrants of color - blue, black, sienna, and cream in the background, 4 lightning bolt shaped lines span from top to bottom. there's a tear near the center bottom of teh canvas and a few shells sewn into the bottom right corner
The Universe is My Regalia, a painting by Erin Genia.

The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies featured our Native American and Indigenous People’s Equity Plan. (Image: The Universe is My Regalia, a painting by Erin Genia.)

October 1
New Tribal Cultural Council Program Launches

Photo detail of a pair of hands weaving many strands of white, red, yellow, and black into a traditional twined sash.

The Tribal Cultural Council Program was inspired by the long, successful history of local autonomy and community driven decisions that are cornerstones of the Local Cultural Council Program. (Image: Aquinnah-based artist, NaDaizja Bolling making a traditional twined sash. Photo: Lauren Miller.)

September 23
HireCulture Leading the Way on Wage Transparency

detail of a web banner with the text Hire Culture creative employment in Massachusetts.

This summer, the Governor signed a new wage transparency law is aimed at promoting equity in the workplace. Our HireCulture.org employment site has required salary disclosure since September 2020. (Image: Detail of web banner for HireCulture.)

August 29
Equity Progress Report (July-Aug ’24)

photo of a lit gallery wall, covered in works on paper and paintings. in the foreground is a black silhouette of a woman holding a mic and performing
A regular update on our equity work (Image: Young woman performing at Elevated Thought’s gallery. Photo: Gretchen Ertl.)

August 15
Charles G. Baldwin Receives 2024 Abilities Dance Boston Nicole A. Ally Award

photo of a smiling middle aged man wearing all black.

Recognized for his dedication to accessibility for the Deaf & Disabled community throughout Massachusetts

July 17
Planning for Access: Announcing Our Deaf & Disability Equity Plan

photo of two artists painting in their vibrant and cluttered studio. In the foreground, an artist sits in a wheelchair. In the background, another artist leans on a stool.
Part of a suite of plans developed by the Agency and its stakeholders to center equity as a guiding principle and a strategic practice; directing advancement and investment (Image: Artist Elson Fortes paints in his studio at Humphreys Street Studio during Dorchester Open Studios. Photo: Annielly Camargo.)

July 1
Native American & Indigenous People’s Equity Plan (FY25-27) Launches

 

photo of a group of Native Americans dressed in traditional regalia standing together at a Pow Wow

With this three-year plan, Mass Cultural Council commits to doing the ongoing and long-term work to support Native and Indigenous artists and culture bearers. (Image: Pow wow hosted by Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness in the Berkshires. Photo: Jen Lawless.)

July 1
Deaf & Disability Equity Plan (FY25-28) Launches

photo of 2 visitors to Drumlin Farm. One, a man in a wheelchair, has a communications device in his lap and is reaching through a fence to touch a cow. The second, a woman not in a wheelchair, crouches down with him to admire the animal.

With this four-year plan, Mass Cultural Council will work to provide equitable investments, support accessibility needs, and affect systems change in the creative sector of Massachusetts. (Image: Mass Audubon visitors. Photo Courtesy of Mass Audubon.)

June 10
Racial Equity Progress Report (Apr – June ’24)

photo of a seated man on a town green painting on a easel that's set up behind a table displaying his other works for sale.

A regular update on our anti-racism work (Image: Artist Mekhi Mendoza selling his art at a community event.)

May 9
Advancing Creativity, Supporting Financial Stability

A spare watercolor painting of a child on a swing, casting a shadow over a pale, monochromatic background.

Exploring the impact of grants on people receiving public benefits (Image: Watercolor painting by Will Dowd, a past Mass Cultural Council grantee.)

March 25
Racial Equity Progress Report (Jan – Mar ’24)

photo of 3 musicians performing on stage in front of a blue curtain backdrop. On the left a

A regular update on our anti-racism work (Image: Dan and Claudia Zanes performing at the Marilyn Rodman Performing Arts Center.)

March 21
Native American & Indigenous People’s Equity Plan Approved

photo of a group of Native Americans dressed in traditional clothing standing together at a Pow Wow

The governing Council approved the Native American & Indigenous People’s Equity Plan (FY25-27) to go into effect on July 1, 2024. Building on the Agency’s Racial Equity Plan, it outlines some of the internal and external steps we will take to support and encourage an anti-racist cultural sector in the Commonwealth. (Image: Pow wow hosted by Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness in the Berkshires. Photo: Jen Lawless.)

March 21
Deaf & Disability Equity Plan Approved

photo of 2 visitors to Drumlin Farm. One, a man in a wheelchair, has a communications device in his lap and is reaching through a fence to touch a cow. The second, a woman not in a wheelchair, crouches down with him to admire the animal.

The governing Council approved the d/Deaf & Disability Equity Plan (FY25-28) to go into effect on July 1, 2024. It proposes to strengthen and extend the work of the Agency’s equity priorities, building on its Racial Equity Plan, to provide equitable investments, support accessibility needs, and affect systems change in the creative sector of Massachusetts. (Image: Visitors at Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm.)

January 23
Innovation Fund Invests $470,000 in Access

photo of a performance where a dancer is center stage with open hands lifted above his head. A singer is behind him and to the left. Stage lighting is in rich blue tones.

Universal Participation Initiative’s Innovation Fund invests $470,000 in Access. 94 cultural organizations across the state receive funding to help build sustainable, accessible infrastructures. (Image: Moe Finnerty dancing while cast mate Michael Ricca sings in “We R One”. An On With Living and Learning performance at the FPAC Gallery in Boston.)

January 10
Tribal Task Force Convenes

Mass Cultural Council convenes meetings with a Tribal Task Force, comprised of Massachusetts Tribal and Indigenous leaders, to inform development of our Native American & Indigenous People’s Equity Plan and future programs to support Native American & Indigenous communities.

2023
December 27
Racial Equity Progress Report (Sept – Dec ’23)

photo of a child facing away from the camera with outstretched arms, both of which have colorfully painted panels hanging from them

A regular update on our anti-racism work (Image: Participant in the culminating Trashion Show by Multi-Arts students.)

October 16
Michael J. Bobbitt Receives Sojourner Truth Award from OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center

photo of a program cover for the Twist & Shout event and the award object for Michael J. Bobbitt's Sojourner Truth Award, a crystal plaque

In recognition of his support shown to BIPOC artists and BIPOC-led organizations by expanding access to and deepening knowledge of funding opportunities (Image: Award object for Michael J. Bobbitt’s Sojourner Truth Award from OrigiNation.)

September 5
Racial Equity Progress Report (June – Aug ’23)

photo of 5 women holding hands with crossed arms and laughing. Each is dressed in a different monochrome costume and hat with long fringe dangling from the wide brims, covering part of their faces

A quarterly report on our anti-racism work, including internal and external steps we are taking. (Image: Lionesses El Atlas at the African Festival of Boston. Photo: Allison Brown.)

June 27
Charting the Future of Our Support for Artists, Culture Bearers & Creatives

photo of an artwork made of numerous paper cranes "carrying" a log covered in woven tapestry via strings held by each crane

Please share your perspective on our new direction: Complete a survey by July 12, 2023. (Image: Multimedia art by Bayda Asbridge of Worcester, a 2023 Cultural Sector Recovery Grantee)

June 20
Racial Equity Progress Report (Apr – Jun ’23)

photo of children doing a craft project with clay and string

A quarterly report on our anti-racism work, including internal and external steps we are taking. (Image: BOO at the Stone Zoo.)

May 26
Join the Cultural Equity Learning Community Summer 2023 Cohort

graphic with a photo of two smiling people with text - Registration now open - The Cultural Equity Learning Community (CELC) is a self-paced, two-unit anti-racism training course with wrap-around supports for arts and culture sector workers committed to building intersectional racial equity. Learn more and join us at www.culturalequity.org

This anti-racism course is open to arts and culture leaders committed to building intersectional racial equity (Image: marketing graphic for CELC.)

April 26
Building a More Accessible Future

photo of exhibit goers standing before a wall of

In response to Open Door Arts’ 2022 report, Towards a Culture of Access, Mass Cultural Council embarks on the development of a Disability Equity Plan to increase opportunities for people who are d/Deaf or Disabled. (Image: Adaptive Tour of Theresa Jaynes exhibition, “Common Touch” at the Library Company, 2016, led by Art-Reach staffer, Angela Wang.)

April 13
Card to Culture Program Surpasses 1 Million Admissions

Mass Cultural Council announces that its Card to Culture program has surpassed one million admissions for low-income and working families to Massachusetts cultural organizations. (Image: Paul Taylor dancers Lisa Borres (right) and Austin Kelly (left) in Amy Hall Garner’s “Somewhere in the Middle”. Courtesy of Celebrity Series. Photo: Whitney Browne.)

April 5
Tips for embracing inclusive recruitment and hiring practices

 

photo of a person walking along a building that has a brightly-colored geometric mural painted on it

Advancing Racial Equity & Disability Access through Inclusive Hiring in the Arts (Image: Mural in Lynn.)

March 28
Racial Equity Progress Report (Jan – Mar ’23)

 

photo of an art piece where black and white polka dotted feathers are attached to the the hands of a clockA quarterly report on our anti-racism work, including internal and external steps we are taking. (Image: Time Flies Clock by Jocelyn Dana Thomas.)

March 21
Racial Equity Progress Report (Sept ’22 – Jan ’23)

Reflecting on a Year of More Equitable Grant-Making. (Image: Public Art Work by Tran Vu.)

January 25
Cultural Organizations Awarded $475,000 to Innovate Around Access

photo of a darkened stage, a long row of tables flanked on one side by 9 actors wearing white chef's hats and aprons. They are each needing dough in a bowl with an additional bowl of water in front of each person.

The Universal Participation Initiative’s Innovation Fund awards 95 UP Designated Organizations $5,000 each to plan, implement, and evaluate accessible goods, services, programs, and policies. (Image: Still from a performance of Na Laga’at “Not by Bread Alone”)

2022
December 20
‘Towards a Culture of Access’ Released

cover from the report Towards a Culture of Access - Findings from the Massachusetts Arts & Culture Access Survey 2022 with text in white over a background of different blue-hued paint strokes

Towards a Culture of Access: Findings from the Massachusetts Arts & Culture Access Survey, a new report from Open Door Arts (formerly VSA Massachusetts), supported in part by Mass Cultural Council, shares valuable information to better understand where the arts and culture sector in Massachusetts is regarding accessibility for people with disabilities, what’s getting in the way of progress, and what may help the sector move forward. (Image: Cover from the report.)

November 21
Assessing Recent Outreach & Recruitment Efforts

photo of a high-ceiling room outlined with columns, numerous tables of people standing and sitting to talk with each other
Applicant pool for Cultural Sector Recovery Grants shows increased reach (Image: Attendees networking at the Western Mass BIPOC Artist Salon & Resource Share on October 24, 2022.)


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