Massachusetts Artists Leaders Coalition

Artists leaders and artist-run groups addressing policy issues that affect artists in Massachusetts

Governor Baker Includes $10 Million for Cultural Facilities Fund in First Capital Plan

From our friends at the Massachusetts Cultural Council:

MA Cultural Facilities Fund

(Boston, MA)—Governor Charlie Baker announced today that his Administration’s first state capital plan includes $10 million for the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF).

With this new Fiscal Year 2016 allocation, the Governor builds upon the investment of nearly $85 million in capital support for the nonprofit cultural sector through CFF. These grants have previously helped launch many transformative projects, leveraging private sector dollars that have kept the sector growing and thriving. CFF has also enabled hundreds of cultural non-profits to be good stewards of our cultural treasures.

“Governor Baker’s support for the Cultural Facilities Fund in his first capital plan makes the statement that this is a program that works,” said Anita Walker, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC). “These are high-impact dollars that will stretch to every corner of the Commonwealth. I’m delighted that this powerful program is positioned to continue its extraordinary reach.”

The Governor’s decision comes after a statewide advocacy campaign led by MASSCreative and MCC during which advocates including mayors and cultural leaders from across the state urged the Governor to continue the state’s investment in CFF.

MCC and MassDevelopment will begin to craft guidelines for the new round of CFF grants and hope to solicit applications in the fall.

Cultural Facilities Fund projects expand access and education in the arts, history, and sciences; create jobs in construction and cultural tourism; and improve the quality of life in cities and towns across the Commonwealth. MassDevelopment and MCC jointly administer the CFF. A Governor-appointed Cultural Facilities Fund Advisory Committee provides oversight to the Fund’s operation. Get more background on CFF and its impact.

About MCC
The Massachusetts Cultural Council is a state agency supporting the arts, humanities, and sciences to improve the quality of life in Massachusetts and its communities. The MCC pursues this mission through grants, services, and advocacy for nonprofit cultural organizations, schools, communities, and artists.

About MassDevelopment
MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development agency, works with businesses, nonprofits, financial institutions, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2014, MassDevelopment financed or managed 314 projects generating investment of more than $2.9 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are projected to create more than 6,300 jobs and build or rehabilitate more than 1,600 residential units.