Press Release: 11th Annual “Artists Under The Dome” Event & MALC 2017 “Champion of Artists” Awards

For Immediate Release

11th Annual “Artists Under The Dome” Event & MALC 2017 “Champion of Artists” Awards

Oct. 16, 2017, (Boston, MA): For the 11th time, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts invites Massachusetts artists working in all disciplines (visual arts, literary, performing, crafts, new media, etc.) to the State House on Wednesday, November 8th, from 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., in the State House’s Great Hall, to thank them for all they contribute to our state’s economy and quality of life. Massachusetts is the only state in the country to hold such an event. Although not required, those attending are encouraged to register for this free event.

For more information and to register:
http://www.artistsunderthedome.org/annualevent.html

The 2017 event is brought to you by State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development, the Massachusetts Artists Leaders Coalition (MALC), the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), and the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development.

“I am delighted to celebrate our community of artists at the 11th Artists Under the Dome event,” said Treasurer Deb Goldberg. “I understand the crucial impact artists make on all of our cities and towns and I have always been an advocate for the expansion and preservation of arts across Massachusetts.”

The morning speaking program will feature remarks by State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Representative Cory Atkins, House Chair of the Joint Committee of Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development (TACD); TACD Committee Members Senator Eileen Donoghue, Senator Joan B. Lovely and Representative Mary S. Keefe; Assistant Majority Whip Senator Forry; Nam Pham, Assistant Secretary of Business Development & International Trade; and Anita Walker, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

“This annual event is a unique way for the State to showcase the work of individual artists, whose work continues to strengthen our culture and economy,” said Senator Adam Hinds (D-Pittsfield). “Their work enriches the lives of all residents, regardless of age, in our schools and communities, while contributing millions of dollars to the economy. As Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development, I will continue to support this important event, and all artists of the Commonwealth.”

and

“I am delighted to welcome Massachusetts artists of all disciplines to the 11th Annual Artists Under the Dome event. I have seen firsthand how art enriches school curriculums, how artists make communities vibrant, and how artists’ contributions strengthen our local economies. Today the Commonwealth’s artists have the opportunity to tell their stories in their own voices. It is so important for every legislator to hear about the powerful and transformative impact of the arts and culture within our communities in the artists’ own words,” said Arts and Tourism Committee Chairwoman Cory Atkins.

and

“The Mass Cultural Council is proud to once again join Artists Under the Dome,” said Anita Walker, Executive Director. “We want to engage more artists in the full range of programs and initiatives so our Commonwealth can continue to benefit from their creativity, work, and vision. This is a great opportunity to advance that dialogue.”

For the second time, and as part of the morning part of the program (10-11am), MALC will be giving its “Champion of Artists Awards”. The five awardees for 2017 are: State Representative Chris Walsh; Danielle Legros Georges, Boston’s Poet Laureate; Ashleigh Gordon, viola and Founder of Castle of our Skins; Jonathan Rappaport, musician, composer and Executive Director of Arts Learning; and Erin Williams, playwright, theater director, dramaturge, Cultural Development Officer for the City of Worcester and Executive Director of the Worcester Cultural Coalition.

“These awards highlight some of the many people who work hard to make this a better state for ALL artists” said Kathleen Bitetti, Co-founder of MALC. “The MALC Steering Committee is so thankful for the unwavering and selfless dedication of these award recipients.”

At the afternoon 1pm panel, MALC will share the preliminary findings from “The “By Artists, For Artists” the statewide survey of Massachusetts artists of all disciplines, conducted by Artmorpheus and MALC. The project builds on the 2009 “Stand Up and Be Counted” project, the first-ever Massachusetts statewide survey of working artists of all disciplines. The 3,500 working artists who participated in the 2009 survey helped to change policies to benefit the communities of the creative sector. The survey closes on November 1st and can be accessed at www.artistsunderthedome.org

The Massachusetts State Treasury, the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development, the Massachusetts Artists Leaders Coalition, the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council are the original founders of this event and have been working together since the first Artists Under the Dome Event was held on November 8th in 2007 at the State House.

For a full history of the event:
http://www.artistsunderthedome.org/history.html

Share this event on Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/y93dd7ek

Hashtag for Event (for Twitter and Instagram): #AUD2017

Important Reminders

The 11th Annual Artists Under the Dome Event is Wednesday, November 8th at the Massachusetts State House! For more information and to register: http://www.artistsunderthedome.org/annualevent.html

AND

Please take the “By Artists For Artists” state-wide survey for Massachusetts artists of all disciplines! MALC needs your answers to help us better advocate for our community! It closes on November 1st- help spread the word!!

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