MASSCreative

05/29/2026

Did you know that that MASSCreative and the MASSCreative Action Network are actually two separate organizations?

Swipe to read about our model for building political power for creatives and creativity across Massachusetts.

👉 Join or renew your membership the MASSCreative Action Network today and help strengthen the arts & culture sector's influence in the Commonwealth: mcan-ma.org/join

All photos by Steph Craig Studios.

05/28/2026

Last week, the Massachusetts State Senate passed their FY27 Budget with $27.32M for the Mass Cultural Council, a $25K stipend for the Commonwealth’s Official Poet Laureate, and $403K in local earmarks!

You can learn more about the outcomes of the FY27 MA Senate Budget by visiting our blog. We’re grateful to Senate President Karen E. Spilka, Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues, Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development Chair Paul Mark, and our elected leaders in the Massachusetts State Senate for leading again as champions for arts, culture, and creativity in Massachusetts.

https://www.mcan-ma.org/take-action/fy27-senate-budget

Read about our FY27 MA Senate Budget actions.

05/27/2026

Take action on Boston's FY27 Arts and Culture budget before May 29th!

The deadline to send written testimony to the Boston City Council rejecting the City's proposed $1.2M cut to the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture is this Friday, May 29th.

Help us reach our goal of sending 500 emails to the City Council! Learn more on the Arts Activate Boston campaign page. https://www.mcan-ma.org/take-action/arts-activate-boston-fy27

05/27/2026

Thanks to our hosts at the Zeiterion, we're offering three hyrbrid workshops and panels at this year's Creative Sector Summit to make it easier for you to join from anywhere in the state.

Reserve an in-person or livestream ticket to attend...

💻The Urban/Rural Divide: Q***r Art as a Guide for Bridging the Gap
💻Civic Infrastructure for Aesthetic Justice: What Public Art Makes Possible
💻The Creative Workaround: Funding Civic Solutions with Non-Arts Dollars

Read more about these sessions and reserve your ticket by visiting our event page.
https://www.mass-creative.org/summit

Image from the 2025 Creative Sector Summit. Photography by Steph Craig Studios.

05/21/2026

Boston's arts community steels itself for a new era of scarcity as federal pandemic funds run out and the city cuts millions in grant programs to balance the budget.

05/21/2026

This year's Creative Sector Summit (June 12 in New Bedford!) would not be possible without the work and support of a long list of partners, including our sponsors.

Please join us in thanking Buttonwood Park Zoo, UMass Dartmouth College of Visual & Performing Arts, Explore New Bedford, Massachusetts Health Connector, MassDevelopment, New Bedford Creative, O'Neill and Associates, Portugalia Marketplace, ServedWell Hospitality, SouthCoast Community Foundation, The New Bedford Light - A community-news organization, WaterFire Providence, 's Fund SouthCoast, and 8 Stratton Events for their support.

If you are interested in sponsoring the 2026 Summit, please contact [email protected] for more information.

05/20/2026

https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/14/health/arts-ageing-study-scli-intl-wellness?Date=20260514&Profile=CNN&utm_content=1778760116&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwdGRjcARz38tleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe303smpYHWvKQZROtq7_vV-P6X7WNL_mdvXjo5Dev_C_L5P2lip4izQm-OQo_aem_q808p1n1Y_TUPQClUy7Nbg

When it comes to slowing down our biological aging, engaging with arts and culture is as beneficial as physical activity, a new study suggests.

05/19/2026

When we ask creatives and arts leaders what our sector needs to thrive, the #1 thing we always hear is “more money.” But how can arts and culture leaders tap into more non-arts funding sources?

Dr. Erik Holmgren and Carolyn Cole at Mass Cultural Council, and Dr. Annis Sengupta at Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) are leading a session on this topic at this year's Creative Sector Summit on June 12th.

Their session "The Creative Workaround: Funding Civic Solutions with Non-Arts Dollars" is an opportunity for Summit goers to develop real plans to leverage cross-sector partnerships and resources. Participants will seed grant ideas and receive real-time guidance to pursue new resources.

This session will be available for a hybrid audience! Reserve your in-person or virtual tickets today for the 2026 Creative Sector Summit to attend this session and more. https://www.mass-creative.org/summit

05/15/2026

TAKE TWO MINUTES BEFORE 5PM TODAY 📢 The Senate Ways and Means Committee has proposed a strong FY27 budget for the Mass Cultural Council, but there are six amendments we're advocating for to secure even more support for creativity.

The MASSCreative Action Network has set up a form email and sign-on letter to help you advocate for amendments 59, #87, #234, #255, #288, and #823 and thank the Senate for continuing to support investments into arts and culture. Take action in two minutes or less: www.mcan-ma.org/take-action/fy27-senate-budget


📸 Photo by Steph Craig Studios.

05/13/2026

TAKE ACTION: Senate Ways and Means proposed $27.35M for the Mass Cultural Council in FY27 🎉

This is really great news for our sector! But we're not celebrating yet - there are two quick actions we need you to take before this Friday, May 15th to make the FY27 budget even stronger on arts, culture, and creativity.

1. Contact your State Senator and ask them to co-sponsor Senate Budget amendments #59, #87, #234, #255, #288, and #823.

2. Sign our thank you letter to the Senate for their continued support for the cultural sector and creative economy.

Learn more about these amendments, send a quick email to your State Senator, and sign the thank you letter in two minutes or less on our take action page.
https://www.mcan-ma.org/take-action/fy27-senate-budget