Power of Culture Blog
Massachusetts Ranks 3rd in the Nation for Arts Vibrancy
As ranked in 2024 by SMU DataArts, the National Center for Arts Research
Governor’s Economic Development Bill and Executive Order contain provisions to advance arts and culture
Mass Cultural Council’s three-year strategic plan directs Agency staff to focus on advancing the creative and cultural sector by building partnerships and identifying policy recommendations that would help our stakeholders. The Agency’s leadership has spent much time meeting with colleagues in both the public and private sectors, making connections, identifying shared priorities, and developing initiatives to bolster creative individuals and organizations across Massachusetts.
Various meetings and conversations with state government officials have led to major policy developments announced last week by the Healey-Driscoll Administration, and Mass Cultural Council wishes to mark and celebrate these victories and thank the Governor and her team for their continued partnership and support for our work to advance the power of culture.
On Friday the Governor filed a much anticipated $3.5 billion economic development bill, H. 4459, referred to as the Mass Leads Act, which strengthens Massachusetts’ leadership in several major economic sectors, such as life sciences, climatetech, and applied artificial intelligence, while also proposing robust state investments to support small businesses, rural communities, workforce development and, we are very pleased to note, arts and culture and tourism.
This legislation contains important recommendations of interest to the creative and cultural sector, including:
Full bill text, summaries, and policy briefs for the Mass Leads Act are available online. To track the progress of this legislation, follow the bill on the General Court’s website.
The bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies for consideration. It is expected that a public hearing will be scheduled for the panel to receive testimony and public input. Under the Joint Rules, all bills requiring a roll call vote, such as this one, must be enacted before the close of the formal session. As such, the Legislature has until midnight on July 31, 2024 to complete their work on this proposal and advance it to the Governor’s desk.
To supplement the Mass Leads Act, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced additional actions to further support the Commonwealth’s creative and cultural sector and tourism. These initiatives are not dependent on legislative action and can occur at the Governor’s direction:
Mass Cultural Council looks forward to continued partnership with the Healey-Driscoll Administration in these efforts to bolster our vibrant creative and cultural sector statewide.