TAKE ACTION ON THE FY27 MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE BUDGET
Image of Regie Gibson, Massachusetts’ first official Poet Laureate approaching the podium to perform at Creative Sector Day 2026. Photography by Steph Craig Studios.
On April 15th, the House proposed $27,348,072 for the Mass Cultural Council (0640-0300). Take action today to share your support and urge the House to include other sector priorities.
Last week, the House Ways and Means Committee released their $63.3 billion FY27 Budget with a proposed 3.6% increase in spending over FY26, but $33 million decrease from the Governor’s H.2 proposal. The House Ways and Means Budget includes $27,348,072 for the Mass Cultural Council, matching the Governor’s H.2 recommendation. This 5% increase to the agency’s operating budget, a record-high aapropriation, will support programs, services, and grantmaking for the creative sector through FY27.
The House Budget also makes critical investments for the arts and cultural sector that the MASSCreative Action Network has been advocating for since February, including $21 million for the State Aid to Public Libraries Program, $19.6 million for the State Aid to Regional Libraries Program, $2,052,106 for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, and $3 million for the District Local Technical Assistance Fund.
We have enjoyed consistent increases to the Mass Cultural Council’s budget in recent years because of increased advocacy from the sector, including advocates within the MASSCreative Action Network and leadership from the Mass Cultural Council and Mass Humanities. We shouldn’t take for granted that during an increasingly challenging budget year, the Healey-Driscoll Administration and House have chosen to maintain strong investments for arts, culture and creativity in the state spending plan.
We’re grateful to Speaker Ron Mariano, House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz, Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development Chair Sean Garballey, and our elected leaders in the Massachusetts House of Representatives for leading again as champions for arts, culture and creativity in Massachusetts.
WAYS YOU CAN STILL SUPPORT CREATIVITY IN FY27 BEFORE APRIL 24TH
State Representatives had until 5 PM on Friday, April 17th to file amendments to the House Ways and Means Budget and will have all of this week to prepare for the House Budget debates, which are scheduled for the week of April 27th.
You can take meaningful action on the budget between now and Friday, April 24th by asking your state representative to co-sponsor these amendments:
#261 “Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners” sponsored by Rep. Sally Kerans to increase the Board of Library Commissioner’s operating budget to $2,114,514
#543 “STEM to STEAM” sponsored by Reps. Mindy Domb and Sean Garballey to add “art” to all existing references of “STEM” (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) within state law
#710 “Poet Laureate” sponsored by Rep. Sean Garballey to secure a $25,000 stipend for the Official Poet Laureate of the Commonwealth
You can advocate for these amendments by sending a message to your state representative urging them to co-sponsor Amendments #261, #543, and #710. Use our prompt below to send them a quick email or add your own message about why these priorities are important to you.
Once you’ve sent your state representative an email, help us strengthen our partnership with House members by signing on to our letter thanking them for prioritizing investments in arts, culture, and creativity in FY27.
Both of these actions will take one minute or less. Send an email to your state representative and add your name to our thank you letter by Friday, April 24th at 5 PM.
SEND AN EMAIL TO YOUR STATE REP:
SIGN OUR LETTER TO THE HOUSE:
SIGN AS AN INDIVIDUAL
SIGN AS AN ORGANIZATION
