Performing Arts Centers: Gaming Mitigation Grants Available

Lillian Lee, Program Officer

Gaming Mitigation Fund

A new cycle of the Gaming Mitigation Fund is now open. The Gaming Mitigation Fund – established under MGL chapter 23K, section 59 – provides grants to Massachusetts nonprofit and municipal performing arts centers to spend on touring shows or touring artist fees. These one-year grants are meant to help organizations increase their buying power when directly competing with resort casinos to book touring shows and artists.

Over the three cycles of funding, $10,752,400 was awarded to more than 50 nonprofit and municipally-owned performing arts centers across the state. (The COVID-19 pandemic made 2020 somewhat of a “lost year” in terms of presenting touring shows and artists and the program was paused in FY21 due to the pandemic.)

Organizations are still faced with the ongoing impacts of the pandemic. For many performing arts centers, 2022 was the first year that they were able to return to, or get close to, their pre-pandemic levels of presenting touring shows and artists. For the FY24 grant cycle, the Gaming Mitigation Fund is asking organizations to report on their calendar year 2022 touring shows and artists. We hope these funds will aid in the continued recovery of organizations and help to strengthen their ability to present touring shows and artists.

Funding decisions are determined by a formula based on the percentage of performances that included an eligible touring artist, and the amount of fees paid to those eligible artists. The formula prioritizes applicants whose business model relies more heavily on presenting touring shows and artists as these organizations are the most impacted by competition with casinos.

To be eligible, applicants must meet all three of the following requirements:

1. Applicants must be a performing arts center, which means:
   • The organization’s primary mission must be to promote access, diversity, or education in the arts, humanities, or interpretive sciences.
   • The organization commits 50% or more of their operating expenses to the performing arts. Performing arts are types of art that are presented live for an audience; examples include dance, music, opera, musical theater, theater, and folk/traditional performance art (dance, music, and/or traditional storytelling).
2. Applicants must be a Massachusetts nonprofit OR owned by a Massachusetts municipality.
3. Applicants must present touring shows and/or artists.

Applications are due February 1, 2024.

Watch a recorded information session and/or join an office hour (various dates) to learn more about the program.

Questions? Contact Lillian Lee, Program Officer.

Read the Program Guidelines

Gaming Mitigation Fund