Governor Signs State Budget Boosting Cultural Funding by $2M

Mass Cultural Council

Budget | Press Release

Governor Charlie Baker signed a state budget today that that boosts funding for the arts, humanities, and sciences through Mass Cultural Council by $2 million.

The FY20 state budget approved by the Legislature earlier this month funds Mass Cultural Council at $18 million, a 12 percent increase over last year and its highest state appropriation since 2002. The agency will invest the additional resources in nonprofit organizations, communities, artists, schools and creative youth development. The budget also preserved language that ensures Mass Cultural Council will continue its growing range of services to communities and nonprofits as part of its strategic plan.

“We thank the Governor for joining the Legislature in this strong endorsement of the power of culture in making Massachusetts the great place that it is for those who live, work, and create here, and for visitors from around the world,” said Nina Fialkow, Mass Cultural Council Chair.

Joined by MASSCreative, Mass Humanities, Mass Artists Leaders Coalition, and thousands of advocates statewide, Mass Cultural Council urged lawmakers to continue investing in the Commonwealth’s burgeoning cultural sector that has an economic impact of more than $21 billion, or 4.3 percent of state gross domestic product, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The 19-member Council will review and approve a spending plan for the new fiscal year when it meets next on August 27 in Springfield.

Budget | Press Release