Power of Culture Blog
A Holiday Message from Michael J. Bobbitt
The Year Behind, The Path Ahead
Bethann Steiner, Senior Director of Public Affairs
H. 1 proposes modest increase to arts and culture
Yesterday Governor Maura Healey was joined by Lt. Governor Driscoll and members of her Cabinet to unveil her Administration’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget recommendations, H. 1. The Healey-Driscoll Administration characterizes this $61.5 billion spending plan as a modest 2.6 percent increase over the current FY25 state spending estimate, a level consistent with the rate of inflation.
As an independent state agency, Mass Cultural Council’s main source of funding is the Commonwealth’s annual state budget. As such, it is through this annual state budget appropriation that the Commonwealth makes its largest public investment into the creative and cultural sector.
The Governor’s FY26 H. 1 budget recommendation funds Mass Cultural Council at $26,045,152, a 0.58% increase to the Agency’s current $25.9M operating budget.
Mass Cultural Council, as all state agencies and organizations who rely upon public funding, is very aware of the difficult decisions budget-writers make as they prepare balanced spending plans. We appreciate the support and partnership we enjoy with the Healey-Driscoll Administration and are thankful H. 1 essentially provides a level amount of funding to the Agency in the coming fiscal year.
In December, Mass Cultural Council submitted a request to the Governor seeking a FY26 appropriation of $28 million. While H. 1 does not provide this amount of funding, it certainly is a strong starting point to begin our budget negotiations with members of the House of Representatives and Senate. We look forward to continuing conversations and making the case for strong state investment into arts and culture over the next few months, including at our Ways & Means budget hearing, which will likely take place in March.
There is much to be excited about in this moment in state government, and much work to be done. The new 2025-2026 legislative session has just begun, and legislators have filed thousands of bills for review and consideration. The Governor’s Cultural Economy Advisory Council continues its efforts and expects to deliver its recommendations to the Executive Office in April. Mass Cultural Council is actively engaged in all of these conversations and will continue to update members of the creative and cultural sector as key milestones and engagement opportunities present themselves.
