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In the News
Legislature Recognizes Arts & Culture as Economic Development
Tool
Feb. 1, 2005
"...it shall be the duty of legislatures
and magistrates, in all future periods of this commonwealth, to
cherish the interests of literature and the sciences..."
"...to encourage private societies and public institutions,
for the promotion of agriculture, arts, sciences, commerce, trades,
manufactures, and a natural history of the country"...
-Excerpt from the Constitution of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts written by John Adams
The Massachusetts Advocates for the Arts, Sciences, & Humanities
(MAASH) joined with the Massachusetts Cultural Council to announce
today the awarding of nearly $1 million in cultural economic development
grants for projects to create jobs, revitalize communities, and
enhance cultural tourism.
The John
and Abigail Adams Arts Program for Cultural Economic Development
was created by the Legislature from a proposal instigated by MAASH
to use cultural resources to stimulate the state’s economy.
“MAASH thanks the many legislators who recognize the economic,
social and educational value of the arts, sciences, and humanities,”
MAASH Executive Director Dan Hunter said, “We especially want
to thank Senate President Robert Travaglini. Senator Therese Murray,
Speaker of the House Sal DiMasi, and Representative John Rogers.”
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts must capitalize on all its economic
assets to restore our economy. However, the economic value of the
arts, sciences, and the humanities has been overlooked as state
budgets were slashed. Consequently, MAASH proposed that the state
re-establish cultural economic development funding as part of last
year’s economic stimulus package.
With support from key legislative leaders, cultural leaders, hundreds
of supporters, and visionary mayors across the state; MAASH successfully
advocated for cultural economic development funding, now known as
the John and Abigail Adams Arts Fund. This fund creates incentives
for non-profit cultural organizations to partner with city and local
business leaders to use cultural resources to create jobs, enhance
tourism, and revitalize communities.
Through this program, the Legislature recognizes that the arts,
sciences, and humanities are a key part of our state’s competitive
economic advantage.
- Arts and culture are a driving force in the state’s second
largest industry—tourism. In its 2000 Creative Economy Initiative,
the New England Council estimated that cultural tourism generates
$6.6 billion in direct regional spending.
- Cultural non-profits have a statewide annual payroll of $248 million
and spend an average of $1.1 billion in Massachusetts each year.
- According to the Center for Policy Analysis at University of Massachusetts
at Dartmouth, cultural economic development grants from the Massachusetts
Cultural Council provided the seed that in one year generated $2.6
million in regional economic impact and created an additional 32
full-time equivalent your round jobs.
Many of the Massachusetts mayors recognize the value of cultural economic
development funding. Of the 32 full proposals requesting funding,
24 of the partner organizations were city or town governments. The
municipal project partners include cities and towns from all across
the state from Adams to Amesbury and in sizes ranging from Boston
to Northbridge. Even though it was funded at only $1 million in its
first year, the MCC received letters of intent to apply from 52 different
project partnerships. Many of these projects have already indicated
that they will re-apply during the FY 06 budget year.
To further assist our economic recovery, MAASH is asking the Legislature
to double the funding for the John and Abigail Adams Arts Fund in
FY 06. In the Governor’s proposed FY 06 budget released January
26, the John and Abigail Adams Arts Fund was eliminated.
MAASH is an independent, statewide organization that serves as
the voice for the Massachusetts cultural community. MAASH identifies
significant issues of importance to the arts, sciences and humanities
and works to influence legislation and public opinion. MAASH works
to educate the people of Massachusetts about the economic, social,
and educational value of arts and culture. MAASH is a not-for-profit
corporation registered as 501 (c) 4 advocacy organization and is
supported by dues from cultural organizations and supporters from
across the state.
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