Make Your Voice Heard
On November 3, the Senate Ways and Means Committee released its version of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) spending plan. The $3.67 billion proposal sets aside $75 million for restoration and support of arts and cultural organizations.
This is $50 million less than the House version and excludes individual artists and creative workers from receiving support.
This amount is deeply disappointing. Arts and cultural organizations were the first to shut down in March, 2020 and many of them have yet to fully reopen. Artists who lost gigs and personal income - nearly overnight - continue to struggle as cultural organizations have reduced staff and limited live performances.
The entire arts and cultural sector - including artists, nonprofit cultural organizations and independent for-profit arts businesses need support to stabilize operations.
Before the pandemic, the arts and cultural sector generated over $25.5 billion to the Commonwealth’s economy and supported 142,578 jobs resulting in $13.6 billion in total compensation. Artists and cultural organizations create opportunities for individuals to connect to their neighbors and themselves, resulting in stronger communities across the Commonwealth. We serve the public, our work is a public good, and we need public investment
Thankfully, State Senator Ed Kennedy (D-Lowell), Chair of the Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development Committee filed Amendment #49, which would increase the Senate allocation to $200 million and ensure individual artists and creative workers are eligible for assistance. We need to share our support with the Senate for the arts and cultural community’s equitable recovery.
Urge your State Senator to co-sponsor Amendment #49 today.
Make Your Voice Heard
On November 3, the Senate Ways and Means Committee released its version of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) spending plan. The $3.67 billion proposal sets aside $75 million for restoration and support of arts and cultural organizations.
This is $50 million less than the House version and excludes individual artists and creative workers from receiving support.
This amount is deeply disappointing. Arts and cultural organizations were the first to shut down in March, 2020 and many of them have yet to fully reopen. Artists who lost gigs and personal income - nearly overnight - continue to struggle as cultural organizations have reduced staff and limited live performances.
The entire arts and cultural sector - including artists, nonprofit cultural organizations and independent for-profit arts businesses need support to stabilize operations.
Before the pandemic, the arts and cultural sector generated over $25.5 billion to the Commonwealth’s economy and supported 142,578 jobs resulting in $13.6 billion in total compensation. Artists and cultural organizations create opportunities for individuals to connect to their neighbors and themselves, resulting in stronger communities across the Commonwealth. We serve the public, our work is a public good, and we need public investment
Thankfully, State Senator Ed Kennedy (D-Lowell), Chair of the Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development Committee filed Amendment #49, which would increase the Senate allocation to $200 million and ensure individual artists and creative workers are eligible for assistance. We need to share our support with the Senate for the arts and cultural community’s equitable recovery.
Urge your State Senator to co-sponsor Amendment #49 today.