New Committee Dedicated to Cultural Development

Jan. 25, 2005

Dear Advocates,

We are pleased to announce another major milestone in MAASH's advocacy campaign for the arts, sciences and humanities.

Speaker of the Massachusetts House, Sal DiMasi, and Senate President Robert Travaglini announced today the formation of a new Joint Legislative Committee dedicated to cultural development, the arts, and tourism.

The new Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development Committee is a recognition of MAASH's success in asserting the economic impact and community value of arts and culture. It is a recognition that the Massachusetts economy has changed and that the Legislature must address in committee the new economy that has developed through the arts, sciences, and humanities.

Our advocacy in the last two years set the stage for this strategic development. MAASH consulted closely with House and Senate leadership and contributed critical arguments during the development of this newlegislative committee.

Last year, MAASH worked to establish the arts, sciences, and humanities as an economic issue through our successful proposal for cultural economic development. Now, through the establishment of this committee, we have earned a role in the formal committee debate.

Advocacy works. If you are not a member, join the only effective voice for the arts, sciences and humanities in Massachusetts--MAASH.

Sincerely,

Dan Hunter