Our Racial Equity Journey
Working to invest financial, programmatic, and informational resources equitably.
Mass Cultural Council Racial Equity Journey
Racial Equity Progress Report (June – Aug ’23)
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.)
Charting the Future of Our Support for Artists, Culture Bearers & Creatives
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)
Racial Equity Progress Report (Apr – Jun ’23)
A quarterly report on our anti-racism work, including internal and external steps we are taking. (Image: BOO at the Stone Zoo.)
Join the Cultural Equity Learning Community Summer 2023 Cohort
Tips for embracing inclusive recruitment and hiring practices
Advancing Racial Equity & Disability Access through Inclusive Hiring in the Arts (Image: Mural in Lynn.)
Racial Equity Progress Report (Jan – Mar ’23)
A quarterly report on our anti-racism work, including internal and external steps we are taking. (Image: Time Flies Clock by Jocelyn Dana Thomas.)
Racial Equity Progress Report (Sept ’22 – Jan ’23)
Reflecting on a Year of More Equitable Grant-Making. (Image: Public Art Work by Tran Vu.)
Assessing Recent Outreach & Recruitment Efforts
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.)
Michael J. Bobbitt Receives 2022 Action Bearing Award from MassOpera
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.)
Mass Cultural Council Receives NASAA 2022 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Agency Award
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.)
Racial Equity Progress Report (June – Aug ’22)
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.)
Expanding the Leadership Pipeline for BIPOC Talent Across the Cultural Sector
Agency invests in NAACBoston’s Mentorship & Sponsorship Program 2.0 (Image: 2022 Mentorship & Sponsorship Program participants laughing.)
Cultural Equity Learning Community 2.0 Launched
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.
Michael J. Bobbitt & Mass Cultural Council Honored by Empower Success Corps
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.)
Racial Equity Progress Report (Apr – May ’22)
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. )