2025 CREATIVE SECTOR DAY HIGHLIGHTS

Written By Kelsey Rode

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Features aerialist performers from Circus Up in the Great Hall at the State House.

 

Creative Sector Day 2025 was one for the books: more than 400 arts and sector leaders, legislators, and legislative staff attended the formal program in the Great Hall of Flags and enjoyed performances throughout the day.

Thanks to support from the Mass Cultural Council, we provided more than 40 artists with stipends to perform or exhibit at Creative Sector Day and demonstrate the sector’s beauty, vibrancy, and joy. Thanks to sponsorships from the Boston Foundation, Essex County Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, Greater Worcester Community Foundation, and SouthCoast Community Foundation, we reduced barriers for individuals to participate by sponsoring buses or commuter rail tickets to make it easier for people to attend.

Between celebrations, advocates visited with their legislators, told them about the good work they are doing in their districts, and asked for their support for the creative economy.

Thank you for making this year’s Creative Sector Day a success. Save the date for Creative Sector Advocacy Week 2026 happening March 2nd to March 6, 2026, and for Creative Sector Day at the State House on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Enjoy these highlights from Creative Sector Day 2025. All images are by Steph Craig Studios.

 
 
Resources
A Guide To Hearing And Giving Testimony

An important part of the governing process is public hearings. These occur on all levels of government (Federal, State, and Local). Understanding the hearing process and how you can participate will make you a more effective advocate for a more equitable and inclusive creative sector.

INSIDE THE STATE BUDGETING PROCESS

Maintaining and increasing public investment in the creative community requires constant and broad grassroots activism throughout the annual budget process.

NonProfit Organizations & Advocacy

There is a lot of misinformation on what a nonprofit can and cannot do when it comes to advocating for its interests and the needs of the communities they serve. Check out our Nonprofits and Advocacy Resource on how your organization effectively and confidently advocate for a more equitable and inclusive creative sector of all residents in the Commonwealth.

6/19/20 - POLICY & ACTION UPDATE WEBINAR

In this webinar, we took time to honor Juneteenth and Pride Month, and talked about the status of arts education funding and voting protections.

6/12/20 - POLICY & ACTION UPDATE WEBINAR

In this webinar, we discussed mapping our roles in a social change ecosystem, talked about proposed legislation to address COVID-19 voting options, the 2020 Census, and reviewed federal and state supports for the creative sector.

6/5/20 - policy & action update webinars

In this webinar, we had a community conversation about mapping our social change roles during times of crisis.

News
Democracy without the Anxiety AND triggers: RICHELINE’S REFLECTION

Read Richeline's blog about attending the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. and how artists can play a role in strengthening communities and democracy.

MOAC CULTURAL INVESTMENT GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Last week, MOAC for the City of Boston announced that they are establishing a $10M multi-year Cultural Investment Grant funded through local ARPA appropriations.

Creative Sector Advocates Request $5 Per Resident in Healey’s FY24 Proposal

“Budgets are a reflection of our priorities: what we choose to spend public funds on is in direct relationship to what we value. The creative sector plays a crucial role in the vibrancy of our cities and towns. Artists, creative workers, and cultural organizations strengthen our connections to each other and our communities.” said Emily Ruddock, Executive Director of MASSCreative

Kelsey Rode
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