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Our Racial Equity Journey

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

Mass Cultural Council Racial Equity Journey

2023
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)

May 26
April 5

Tips for embracing inclusive recruitment and hiring practices

March 28

Racial Equity Progress Report (Jan – Mar ’23)

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.)

2022
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.)

October 17

Michael J. Bobbitt Receives 2022 Action Bearing Award from MassOpera

photo of a crystal award object with the inscription MassOpera proudly presents the Action Bearing Award to Michael J. Bobbitt

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 from MassOpera.)

September 26

Mass Cultural Council Receives NASAA 2022 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Agency Award

photo of 3 people standing with an award certificate

Our field’s highest honor for a state arts agency demonstrating innovative and exceptional efforts to support and advance DEI in its state (Image: Mass Cultural Council Executive Director Michael J. Bobbitt receives award with Deputy Director, Dave Slatery and Director of People and Culture, Cathy Cheng-Anderson.)

August 10

Racial Equity Progress Report (June – Aug ’22)

Child sitting at a table gluing images of prominent people of color to a crown-shaped piece of paper that's adorned with sparkly 'gems'

A quarterly report on our anti-racism work, including internal and external steps we are taking. (Image: Child participates in Brand Out with C1, an event hosted by Company One Theatre.)

July 12

Expanding the Leadership Pipeline for BIPOC Talent Across the Cultural Sector

a photo of two people laughing. The person in the background has long braids, some colored a dark blue. In the foreground, the person has long, dangly earrings, a cropped hairstyle and a black mask pulled down to their chin.

Agency invests in NAACBoston’s Mentorship & Sponsorship Program 2.0 (Image: 2022 Mentorship & Sponsorship Program participants laughing.)

June 28

Cultural Equity Learning Community 2.0 Launched

a grid of dozens of smiling faces, instructors in the CELC 2.0 trainings

We are pleased to partner with the Co-Directors of Arts Connect International (ACI) on launching the Cultural Equity Learning Community 2.0 (CELC 2.0), an asynchronous anti-racism course, this summer. CELC 2.0 was developed by ACI to support our arts and culture ecosystem — and its leadership — in progressing equitable practices.

Mass Cultural Council is providing financial support for up to 1,000 Massachusetts artists and cultural sector leaders to attend this training series in FY23.

June 21

Michael J. Bobbitt & Mass Cultural Council Honored by Empower Success Corps

ESC 40th Anniversary Party where Michael J. Bobbitt and Mass Cultural Council received the ESC Nonprofit Impact Leadership Award. (left-right: Mass Cultural Council Chair Nina Fialkow, Mass Cultural Council Executive Director Michael J. Bobbitt, ESC Chair Bonnie Clendenning, and Mass Cultural Council Vice-Chair Marc Carroll). Photo: Ilene Perlman.

They received the ESC Nonprofit Impact Leadership Award for committing to advancing racial equity and increasing support for under-resourced organizations. (Image: Mass Cultural Council Chair Nina Fialkow, Mass Cultural Council Executive Director Michael J. Bobbitt, ESC President Julie Crockford, and Mass Cultural Council Vice-Chair Marc Carroll.)

June 1

Racial Equity Progress Report (Apr – May ’22)

an Indigenous-inspired mural of flowing colors framed by geometric shapes

A quarterly report on our anti-racism work, including internal and external steps we are taking. (Image: ‘Wakpa’ Wheatpaste Mural at Tufts University Art Gallery. )


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