Bethann Steiner, Senior Director of Public Affairs
Update 7/30/24: Governor Healey signed the FY25 General Appropriations Act (GAA – also known as the state budget) into law yesterday. Mass Cultural Council’s line item was approved at a record high $26,850,000. This is a significant investment by the Commonwealth into the creative and cultural sector. The Agency will present its spending plan for this fiscal year to the governing Council for approval during the August meeting, and then FY25 programs and services will begin to launch soon thereafter.
Nineteen days into Fiscal Year 2025 the Legislature is poised to adopt and send to the Governor this year’s state budget. Mass Cultural Council is immensely grateful as this spending plan funds the Agency at a record-high $26,850,000.
- Broken down, this figure represents what we believe to be the highest-ever operating budget for the Agency – $25,895,000 – as well as $955,000 for 20 earmarks, which provide mandated funding for local projects and organizations as secured by legislators.
While the highest-ever state appropriation for arts and culture came in 1988 at $27,395,489, we believe that figure was heavily earmarked. So today provides reason to celebrate, as the FY25 budget provides robust investment in the creative and cultural sector, and in the programming and operations of Mass Cultural Council.
Mass Cultural Council thanks Senate President Karen Spilka; House Speaker Ron Mariano; Ways and Means Chairs Michael Rodrigues and Aaron Michlewitz; Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development Chairs Paul Mark and Mindy Domb; and all the members of the House and Senate who supported our budget request throughout the process.
We also gratefully thank our advocacy partners at MASSCreative and Mass Humanities and all the members of the sector who engaged in advocacy in support of our funding request, as well as the Healey-Driscoll Administration who kicked off the FY25 budget process in January with a recommendation to increase the Agency’s funding.
Next Steps
Both Chambers are scheduled to take up the FY25 Conference Budget today. Once enacted, the budget advances to the Governor’s desk for final approval. Governor Healey has 10 days to review and act on the legislation. Once signed into law, Mass Cultural Council can finalize its FY25 spending plan. Our governing Council is scheduled to review and vote on this plan during their August business meeting. Once the spending plan is approved, Agency staff can launch the FY25 programs and initiatives.
To stay up to date on our FY25 programming, events, and grant opportunities, follow the Agency on social media @MassCultural or sign up for our monthly Power of Culture e-newsletter.
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