Important Update on MA Public Art Legislation

One of the key issues MALC has been following since its founding is the need to establish (or reestablish) a statewide program for public art, also commonly referred to as ”the percent for public art”.

At the end of 2014, then Governor Patrick, by an executive order, established a “Percent for Art Program” for the Commonwealth: http://artistsunderthedome.org/malc/news/governor-patrick-signs-executive-order-support-public-art-across-commonwealth/

In the final 2015 State Budget, there was a provision for a “Percent for Art Program” that became law.  Governor Baker amended the original  language of that 2015 budget, as sent to him by the Budget Conference Committee. The final language can be found at this link:
http://artistsunderthedome.org/malc/news/governor-baker-amends-the-ma-percent-for-art-program-mpap/

Currently, the now pending 2015 Supplementary Budget also contains “Percent for Art Program” legislative language:

An Act Establishing a Public Art Commission – House Bill 3667
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/House/H3667

House Bill 3667 expands on the Governor Baker’s 2015 budget language that was part of the final 2015 State Budget. While House Bill 3667  keeps Governor Baker’s recommendation that the program be statewide, it includes most of the original Senate “pubic art” language that was part of the outside section of the 2015 Senate budget.* Senator Lesser was the Senator who pushed for this language on the Senate version of the Supplemental Budget**

House Bill 3667 is now on the Governor’s desk. He has ten days to sign it into law or veto it. MALC will keep you updated.

If you would like to contact Governor Baker directly to urge him to sign House Bill 3667, you may use the following link:
http://www.mass.gov/governor/constituent-services/contact-governor-office/

Also making its way through the legislative process is this proposed legislation – “A Resolve Establishing a Commission to Study Art in Public Spaces – House Bill 2928“

This Bill creates a statewide public art program that is artists-centered and not just for State Building projects. This artists-centered legislation seeks to:

“b) develop guidelines to determine fair and adequate compensation for artists whose work is exhibited in public spaces. The commission shall identify costs associated with and funding sources available to fairly compensate artists for their art displayed in public spaces.” (not just in State spaces – ed.)

What is further needed in this proposed legislation is a mechanism for the public to give feedback and information to the commission.

House Bill 2928 was filed by Representative Sarah Peake. A hearing was held for this Bill on 9/21/15 by the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development. It has yet to be reported out of this Committee.

These two pieces of legislation, along with many other pieces of legislation, will be part of the discussion on November 4, 2015, for the 9th Annual Artists Under the Dome event at the Massachusetts State House. Both Senator Lesser and Representative Peake will be speaking on November 4th!

Come to the 9th Annual Artists Under the Dome event!
http://www.artistsunderthedome.org/annualevent.html
Help spread the word!

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*You can read the original budget language here: http://artistsunderthedome.org/malc/news/massachusetts-percent-for-art-program-and-the-budget-process/

**link to Senator Lesser’s press release (PDF)