Working to invest financial, programmatic, and informational resources equitably.
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.)
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.)
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.)
A regular update on our equity work (Image: Young woman performing at Elevated Thought’s gallery. Photo: Gretchen Ertl.)
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.)
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.)
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.)
A regular update on our anti-racism work (Image: Artist Mekhi Mendoza selling his art at a community event.)
Exploring the impact of grants on people receiving public benefits (Image: Watercolor painting by Will Dowd, a past Mass Cultural Council grantee.)
A regular update on our anti-racism work (Image: Dan and Claudia Zanes performing at the Marilyn Rodman Performing Arts Center.)
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.)
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.)
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.)
A regular update on our anti-racism work (Image: Participant in the culminating Trashion Show by Multi-Arts students.)
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.)
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.)
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)
A quarterly report on our anti-racism work, including internal and external steps we are taking. (Image: BOO at the Stone Zoo.)
This anti-racism course is open to arts and culture leaders committed to building intersectional racial equity (Image: marketing graphic for CELC.)
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.)
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.)
Advancing Racial Equity & Disability Access through Inclusive Hiring in the Arts (Image: Mural in Lynn.)
A quarterly report on our anti-racism work, including internal and external steps we are taking. (Image: Time Flies Clock by Jocelyn Dana Thomas.)
Reflecting on a Year of More Equitable Grant-Making. (Image: Public Art Work by Tran Vu.)
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”)
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.)
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.)
Mass Cultural Council Executive Director Michael J. Bobbitt was honored by MassOpera as the recipient of the 2022 Action Bearing Award, recognizing his advocacy and activism towards the development of a cultural sector that is more equitable, just, representative, and anti-racist. (Image: Award object from MassOpera.)
