As a constituent and supporter of arts, culture and creativity for all in the Commonwealth, I want to thank you for including $23.4M in the FY23 Budget for line item 0640-0300 - including $22.5M for the Mass Cultural Council’s grants programs and operations. The $2.5M increase from the FY22 allocation is the highest arts and culture spending since 1987! Thank you for the strong vote of confidence in the impact and power of the arts and cultural sector. Artists, cultural organizations and creative expression bring people together, help us better understand each other and activate spaces economically. As we continue to imagine a new Massachusetts, post-pandemic, the arts and cultural sector will be key to making our Commonwealth a place we are proud to call home. Thank you for your support and service to your district and the Commonwealth.

I saw that you and your colleagues passed the FY23 State Budget. I was delighted that $22.5M was specifically allocated to the Mass Cultural Council grants and operations. This is a $2.5M increase from last year and the highest public allocation for the arts since 1987! Thank you and your colleagues for the increased support. Artists, cultural organizations and creative expression bring people together, help us better understand each other and activate spaces economically. As we continue to imagine a new Massachusetts, post-pandemic, the arts and cultural sector will be key to making our Commonwealth a place we are proud to call home. But without increased public support, like the $2.5M increase this important work cannot happen. Thank you for your service to the Commonwealth and sharing my belief that arts and culture matter!

As a constituent and supporter for arts, culture and creativity for all in the Commonwealth, I want to thank you for signing the FY23 Budget and retaining the entire amount for line item 0640-0300. As you know line item 0640-0300 includes $22.5M for the Mass Cultural Council’s grant programs. The Mass Cultural Council’s grant programs are a crucial support for artists, cultural organizations and creative efforts across the Commonwealth. Artists, cultural organizations and creative expression bring people together, help us better understand each other and activate spaces economically. As we continue to imagine a new Massachusetts, post-pandemic, the arts and cultural sector will be key to making our Commonwealth a place we are proud to call home. Line line 0640-0300 includes a 12% increase for arts and cultural grants from last year's budget. This increase is extremely meaningful to ensure that everyone in the Commonwealth can access the benefits associated with creative expression and cultural celebration. Thank you for your leadership and service to the residents of the Commonwealth.

I saw you signed the FY23 State Budget and I was delighted to see that $22.5M was specifically allocated to the Mass Cultural Council grants and operations. This $2.5M increased investment from last year's allocation is the highest public allocation for the arts since 1987! Thank you for the increased support. Artists, cultural organizations and creative expression bring people together, help us better understand each other and activate spaces economically. As we continue to imagine a new Massachusetts, post-pandemic, the arts and cultural sector will be key to making our Commonwealth a place we are proud to call home. But without increased public support, like the $2.5M increase this important work cannot happen. Thank you for approving the increase. Thank you for your service to the Commonwealth and sharing my belief that arts and culture matter!