Power of Culture Blog
State Funding for Arts & Culture Reaches Record High
An update on the FY27 state budget and capital spending plan
Arts & Culture is Economic Development
Bethann Steiner, Senior Director of Public Affairs
Mass Wins Act bolsters cultural sector with policy and new public investments
Updated – July 20, 2026: GREAT NEWS! This week the state Senate will debate its version of the Mass Wins Act economic development bond bill, S. 3178. Senators have until 2:30pm on Monday to file amendments, but Mass Cultural Council is thrilled to note that all three of our priorities are already in the Senate bill. We are named as a programmatic partner with EOED in the new $25M grant program for the creative economy; our state-designated cultural districts are eligible for the new $25M downtown vitality grant program; and our section seeking to clarify that all municipal cultural facilities – regardless of age or size – are eligible to apply to the Cultural Facilities Fund is back in the bill (see Section 10)! Thank you, Massachusetts Senate!
Updated – July 9, 2026: Last night the House of Representatives debated H. 5562, the Mass Wins Act economic development bond bill. Mass Cultural Council is very grateful to the 39 House Members, led by Chair Sean Garballey, who sponsored – and secured passage of – Amendment 78 to name the Agency as a programmatic partner to the Executive Office of Economic Development as they develop and administer a new $25 million grant program for the creative economy.
We also thank Rep. Steve Owens and the 41 House Members who co-sponsored Amendment 136 to reinsert the language to expand and clarify eligibility to the Cultural Facilities Fund to all municipal and tribal government owned cultural facilities. Unfortunately, this amendment was not adopted, but Mass Cultural Council will continue pushing for this policy change when the bond bill is debated by the Senate.
Updated – July 6, 2026: The Bonding Committee has released H. 5527 without major changes, and the bill is now before House Ways & Means. House Leadership has said the bond bill will be up for debate on Wednesday this week; Mass Cultural Council is working with House Members to advocate for policy and spending authorizations benefiting the cultural sector to be included in this legislation.
Updated – June 24, 2026: The Joint Committee on Economic Development & Emerging Technologies released their version of the Mass Wins Act this week – H. 5527. The bill is now before the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures & State Assets and a hearing has been scheduled for July 2, 2026 at 1pm. Unfortunately, H. 5527 no longer contains the CFF expanded eligibility language; Mass Cultural Council will continue to advocate for this policy change as the bill continues through the legislative review process.
In April, Governor Maura Healey filed her 2026 economic development bond bill, H. 5386, the Mass Wins Act, for consideration by the Legislature. Today, the Joint Committee on Economic Development & Emerging Technologies is holding a public hearing at the State House to solicit public comment on this legislation.
There is much for the cultural sector to be excited about in this bond bill; Mass Cultural Council submitted testimony to the Committee to outline policy and capital investment victories for arts, culture, and creativity.
The Healey-Driscoll Administration says the Mass Wins Act positions Massachusetts as the hub for global investment, talent, and innovation while strengthening competitiveness across the state. Mass Wins lowers costs, unlocks growth, and invests in key sectors like AI, defense, and advanced manufacturing. Together, these steps keep Massachusetts on top and set the stage for long-term growth.
Mass Cultural Council applauds the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their vision for the Commonwealth’s economy, and is most pleased that the cultural sector is recognized and heavily invested in three key ways:
- Section 7 of the bill expands access to the Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF) by removing restrictive eligibility requirements. This is a legislative priority of Mass Cultural Council and we are grateful to the Administration for helping us advance this goal in the legislative process.
- Line-item 7002-8086 creates a new $25 million capital grant program, to be administered by the Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED), to enhance the arts, culture, and the creative economy in Massachusetts.
- Line item 7002-8085 creates a new $25 million Downtown Vitality program to support economic development and the activation of downtowns, main streets, cultural districts, and other walkable community centers across Massachusetts, also administered by EOED.
The Mass Wins Act must be enacted by both the House and Senate with a roll call vote, and if necessary, sent to conference to negotiate final compromise language, by the end of formal legislative sessions, which is July 31, 2026. Mass Cultural Council will continue to monitor this legislation, engage in advocacy, and provide updates at each step of the legislative process.
We are thrilled to see our partners in the Administration embrace our belief that arts, culture, and creativity are not a luxury, but a core sector that impacts the Commonwealth’s economic competitiveness and success. After all, the most recent federal data shows that arts and culture accounts for nearly $30 billion in economic activity in Massachusetts, hosts 130,000 jobs statewide, and accounts for 4% of the state GDP.