BOSTON, April 9, 2014— Statement by Matt Wilson, MASSCreative Executive Director on House Ways and Means Committee Recommended Funding of the Massachusetts Cultural Council in FY15 State Budget:
“We are deeply disappointed with the House Ways and Means Committee’s recommended funding for the Massachusetts Cultural Council, which would cut the state’s investment in arts and culture by more than 50%.
“Massachusetts is home to large-scale museums, theaters, and orchestras, as well as numerous community-based playhouses and art centers that drive our economy, enhance the academic performance of our students, and build vibrant, connected communities. Core to the success of these cultural institutions is public investment in the arts through the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The budget proposed today by the House Ways and Means Committee is a step backwards.
“Over the past 25 years, the Commonwealth’s investment in the creative community has declined nearly 60 percent. Twenty-five years ago, the state invested $27 million in the creative community; 10 years ago that investment was $19 million. Today, it stands at $11.1 million and the House Ways and Means proposal would cut it to $5 million. Arts organizations in Massachusetts, particularly the smaller and community-based ones that do so much for the downtowns of our Gateway Cities, and enhance the educations of under-resourced youth, operate below full capacity and are not having the impact that they could be having on the economic health and educational success of our cities and towns.
“Rep. Cory Atkins (D-Concord), chairwoman of the Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development, has filed an amendment to increase funding for the MCC to $16 million in the final House budget. MASSCreative will work with its statewide members to urge their Representatives to support this amendment. MASSCreative and cultural leaders will continue to meet with lawmakers to request increased investment in the arts in Massachusetts.”
How are you doing with cosponsors?!? Also, while it generally bugs me when advocacy organizations use BMG to drop press releases and then leave, if you’re going to do it, the least you could do is put a link to your website so I can take action!
Thanks for your work!
http://www.mass-creative.org/state_investment2014
Thanks for your note! Currently, 55 members of the House have signed on as co-sponsors!
You can send a direct email to your representative, asking him/her to co-sponsor Rep. Atkins’ amendment to fund the Massachusetts Cultural Council at $16 million. Just use this link:
https://www.votervoice.net/MAARTS/campaigns/35594/respond
Sponsors as of now include:
Gifford, Peake, DiZoglio, Fox, Vieira, Hecht, Farley-Bouvier, McMurtry, Toomey, Vega, DiNatale, Turner, Provost, Brodeur, Straus, Cutler, Dave Rogers, Basile, Malia, Finn, Puppolo, Khan, Keenan, Keefe, Heroux, Gordon, Cariddi, Scibak, Cantwell, Madden, Balser, Livingstone, Andrews, Dykema, Ehrlich, Kaufman, Mark, Garlick, Swan, Smizik, Nangle, Hunt, Mannal, Fernandes, Frank Moran, Calter, Schmid, Chris Walsh, Decker, Benson, Canavan, Poirier, Roy, Sannicandro, Pignatelli, Ferrante, Stanley, Rushing, Jones, Ayers, Donato, Lindsky, Frost, Conroy, Parisella
.
Where the heck did that number come from?
Ten years ago, $19 million, last year, $11 million. Why would you propose MORE than 10 years ago? Is the economy and state spending overall THAT much better than last year?
Was this an unrealistic number doomed to fail, but letting the Reps look good? Or an attempt to agree to split the difference at $8 million?
I support the MCC, and feel it is a great way to spread money out into the larger economy by supporting local projects chosen by local people.
But if you WANTED $8 million why not ask for it instead of risking having the whole amendment disregarded with unrealistic demands?