MASSCreative

Next week is National Arts in Education Week!

Arts education is a proven driver of student achievement, creativity, and workforce readiness.

But right now, arts education is under threat. Federal funding that supports arts education in schools nationwide through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) faces drastic cuts in FY2027. Advocacy is needed to maintain Congress' support for the NEA.

Threats to arts education = threats to accessing arts degrees, including at HBCUs, threatening pathways into creative work for the next generation of artists and leaders.

We’re urging Congress to honor National Arts in Education Week by fully funding arts education’s five federal funding streams, saving the NEA from closure, and protecting access to arts degrees for every student.

Take action with Americans for the Arts and Arts Action Fund at artsactionfund.org/arts-action-center

Alt text: "Every Student, Every Community" banner featuring a young musician playing a trumpet, with the Americans for the Arts logo.

MASSCreative was proud to be part of a delegation of artists, cultural leaders and agencies who attended PolicyLink’s 2026 Summit last week in Washington, D.C. The delegation worked with other arts and cultural leaders from across the nation to vision and strategize ways that creativity could animate our democracy, connect communities, and move in soldarity towards a just nation for all.

Polls are open today from 7 AM to 8 PM in MA for the state primary!

👉 Find your polling location and see who is on your ballot: wheredoivotema.com.

If you have questions or need more information on the voting process, Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683).

MASSCreative is looking for a part-time, temporary grant writer to support our mission to build a stronger, equitable, and inclusive creative sector for all in Massachusetts.

Compensation is $10K for a four-month contract. RFPs will be accepted until the position is filled. Please see the job description for more details. mass-creative.org/grant-writer-job

Layanie and Anisa are enjoying the Tables Upon Tables Conference at Mechanics Hall in Worcester! They're embracing the theme "Many Fights, One Movement" and feeling grateful to learn, connect, and strategize at this cross-sector convening hosted by Alternatives for Community and Environment, Homes for All Mass, New England Community Project, NECP, Transportation for Massachusetts, Massachusetts Voter Table, and Community Labor United.

New England arts and culture institutions have suffered major funding losses totaling $13.5 million from federal, state, and philanthropic sources in 2025, according to a new regional survey. Those cuts resulted in the loss of 720 jobs.

“'We believe in the power of the artist’s voice. We believe in the power of the advocate’s voice. And so I think this is the time where we continue to get loud,' said [Emily Ruddock]."

Funding cuts, jobs losses destabilize New England Arts organizations, survey finds MASSCreative published results of a recent survey of New England arts and culture institutions that shows a loss of $13.5 million from federal, state, and philanthropic sources in 2025. 720 jobs were also lost .

Join us this Wednesday in Somerville!

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cultural-land-trusts-101-a-community-meeting-tickets-1993349266315?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join for a community meeting about cultural/creative land trusts, Wednesday, August 12, 6-7:30pm, as part of ’s Faces, Places & Spaces exhibition at the Somerville Museum. Learn about trusts, why they're useful for protecting artist workspaces & why they need community support. In partnership with the Somerville Arts & Culture Division, Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston & MASSCreative. Free w/RSVP: https://culturaltrust101.eventbrite.com

Massachusetts organizations reported 171 jobs impacted by funding cuts in 2025 in a recent survey - the highest number of any New England state.

"The loss of these investments will result in real economic hurt for our communities," said Emily Ruddock, MASSCreative's executive director.

New England arts orgs lost over $13M in funding in 2025 They reported losses in state funding, individual donations and private-sector grants.

We checked in with New England arts organizations earlier this year and asked them to share if they were impacted by federal, state, or philanthropic funding cuts in 2025.

125 organizations reported $13.5 million in lost funding, resulting in 720 full-time and part-time jobs impacted, increased reliance on state and local funding, and decreased programming that supported youth, low-income populations, and other vulnerable communities.

You can find more survey results on our website. This survey was conducted in partnership with Arts4NH, Cultural Alliance of Maine, Connecticut Arts Alliance, NEFA, and Vermont Creative Network.

www.mass-creative.org/priorities/2026-federal-impact-survey-results

TAKE ACTION!

We need you to contact your state senator and ask them to co-sponsor five priority amendments to the Senate’s Mass Wins Act before they’re voted on tomorrow and Thursday.

We have another chance at getting the Creative Space Act through the Senate this week! Urge your state senator to co-sponsor amendment #29.

Visit our website to learn more about priority amendments and to find resources to support your advocacy.

https://www.mcan-ma.org/take-action/senate-mass-wins-act