The Governor supported the Legislature’s arts and cultural funding proposals for fiscal 2009, which began July 1. That budget increases MCC's appropriation by roughly $400,000 to nearly $12.7 million. MCC’s Board is now scheduled to meet August 26 in Provincetown to determine spending plans for its core grant programs to non-profit cultural organizations, communities, schools, and artists.

The $6.5 million allocated for the Cultural Facilities Fund means that the MCC and its partner MassDevelopment will seek new grant applications for that program later this year. The Cultural Facilities Fund was established in the 2006 Economic Stimulus Bill. In two years the Fund has invested more than $23 million into the creative economy through grants to 120 cultural organizations, schools, and communities to build, repair, and expand their facilities.

"We thank the Governor and our supporters in the Legislature for maintaining the Commonwealth’s investment in arts and culture," said Anita Walker, MCC Executive Director. “We are also grateful to the Massachusetts Advocates for the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities (MAASH), the Boston Foundation, and the many cultural leaders and citizens who advocated for the state's essential partnership in the cultural vitality of Massachusetts. Your voices ensured continued public investment in the outstanding cultural organizations, communities, schools, and artists that make our state a leader in the creative economy.”

About the Massachusetts Cultural Council
The Massachusetts Cultural Council promotes excellence, access, education and diversity in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences, in order to improve the quality of life for all Massachusetts residents and contribute to the economic vitality of our communities.

The MCC is committed to building a central place for arts and culture in the everyday lives of communities across the Commonwealth. The Council pursues this mission through a combination of grants, services, and advocacy for cultural organizations, schools, communities, and artists.