Share Your Support for Boston Investments in Arts and Culture
On April 13, 2022 Mayor Wu announced her FY23 city budget and plan for distributing $350M in ARPA funds allocated to the ciy of Boston. Included in both the budget and the ARPA spending plan were significant investments in Boston’s Arts and Cultural sector with a priority on supporting organizations who serve Communities of Color and artists who identify as Black, Indigenous or People of Color:
$3.8M in the FY23 BUDGET TO THE OFFICE OF ARTS AND CULTURE - a $200K increase from FY22
$20 MILLION OF ARPA FUNDS TO STRENGTHEN ARTS AND CULTURE
- $15 million to elevate and invest in BIPOC-led cultural organizations
- $5 million for reactivating our public spaces in both our neighborhoods and Downtown for artists, cultural workers and community organizations
However, unlike previous years when City Council had little ability to revise or change the Mayors proposed spending plans, this year thanks to Ballet Question #1 that passed in November 2021 with overwhelming support from voters, they do. This means City Councilors will have the opportunity to revise spending plans proposed by the Mayor - including reducing funding for the arts and cultural sector.
We must advocate NOW to ensure Boston City Councilors pass the FY23 Budget and ARPA Spending plans with investments to the arts and cultural community intact.
Over the last two and half years our community has been hit hard by the pandemic and required public space closures. Simultaneously the stark inequities of historic investments in BIPOC led and serving arts organizations have been laid bare. Mayor Wu’s proposal would begin to address this injustice and help us realize an arts and cultural sector that is stronger, more equitable and better able to serve all Bostonians.
Without strong and vocal advocacy on these spending plans we are in danger of losing this much needed public investment.
Share Your Support for Boston Investments in Arts and Culture
On April 13, 2022 Mayor Wu announced her FY23 city budget and plan for distributing $350M in ARPA funds allocated to the ciy of Boston. Included in both the budget and the ARPA spending plan were significant investments in Boston’s Arts and Cultural sector with a priority on supporting organizations who serve Communities of Color and artists who identify as Black, Indigenous or People of Color:
$3.8M in the FY23 BUDGET TO THE OFFICE OF ARTS AND CULTURE - a $200K increase from FY22
$20 MILLION OF ARPA FUNDS TO STRENGTHEN ARTS AND CULTURE
- $15 million to elevate and invest in BIPOC-led cultural organizations
- $5 million for reactivating our public spaces in both our neighborhoods and Downtown for artists, cultural workers and community organizations
However, unlike previous years when City Council had little ability to revise or change the Mayors proposed spending plans, this year thanks to Ballet Question #1 that passed in November 2021 with overwhelming support from voters, they do. This means City Councilors will have the opportunity to revise spending plans proposed by the Mayor - including reducing funding for the arts and cultural sector.
We must advocate NOW to ensure Boston City Councilors pass the FY23 Budget and ARPA Spending plans with investments to the arts and cultural community intact.
Over the last two and half years our community has been hit hard by the pandemic and required public space closures. Simultaneously the stark inequities of historic investments in BIPOC led and serving arts organizations have been laid bare. Mayor Wu’s proposal would begin to address this injustice and help us realize an arts and cultural sector that is stronger, more equitable and better able to serve all Bostonians.
Without strong and vocal advocacy on these spending plans we are in danger of losing this much needed public investment.