[DAC] FW: Historic Investment in Cultural Facilities

[Joyce Linehan]

Congrats to Dot ART and Dorchester Historical Society, who each got one of
these grants.
 
  _____  

From: Dan Hunter [mailto:dhunter at maash.org] 
Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2007 3:52 PM
To: Joyce Linehan
Subject: Historic Investment in Cultural Facilities
 

Historic State Investment in Cultural Facilities
MCC/MassDevelopment Award $16.7 million in Grants

The Campaign for Cultural Facilities, the Massachusetts Advocates for the
Arts, Sciences & Humanities (MAASH), the Boston Foundation and the
Massachusetts Cultural Council, today saluted the historic vote taken by
MassDevelopment, the state's finance and development authority, to authorize
the first-ever state-funded first grants to expand, improve and restore
cultural facilities all across the Commonwealth. 

MassDevelopment voted today to approve $16.7 million in grants to 62
organizations from every corner of the Commonwealth to provide funding for
capital projects as well as for planning and feasibility studies.
Massachusetts Cultural Council conducted the review process. The program is
jointly administered by the two organizations.

"This vote is the result of a long and effective effort by a broad,
cross-sector partnership of cultural, civic and business leaders to raise
awareness of how important our cultural facilities are to the economy of the
region, and to secure the appropriate investment by the state to renew and
strengthen them," said Paul S Grogan, President and CEO of the Boston
Foundation and a leader in the Campaign. 

"We salute the visionary leadership of the House and Senate for recognizing
that the arts, sciences, and humanities make a substantial contribution to
our economy, our communities and our commonwealth," said Dan Hunter,
executive director of MAASH, "We must use every available economic
development tool and the strong bipartisan support for facilities funding
sends a resounding message that our cultural resources from the
infrastructure for tourism, the state's third largest industry."

Legislators also expressed their congratulations to those involved in
today's announcement.

"Our unique cultural facilities are what set our communities and our state
apart from the rest of the country," said Senate President Therese Murray.
"They help tell the story of our state and our nation, and provide both
tourists and residents with an experience they can only find here in
Massachusetts. I applaud this investment in keeping our history and our
tourism industry alive."

"Our first-in-the-nation cultural facilities fund was a key component of the
economic stimulus package we passed last year and a significant investment
that is already paying dividends," said House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi.
"Supporting our cultural and heritage facilities is an investment in our
economy and an investment in our future. I am pleased with these results and
am confident they will spur continued success and future job growth
throughout the Commonwealth."

"I have seen in my own community how strategic investment in arts and
culture can lead to a community renaissance," said Senator Steven
Panagiotakos (D-Lowell), chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
"Today, we are renewing our commitment to invest in communities all across
the Commonwealth through arts, heritage and culture."

"Our investment in cultural and heritage facilities as announced today
demonstrates the Legislature's innovative approach to economic development
allowing us to create jobs, achieve significant economic growth and improve
the quality of life in our cities and towns," said Rep. Robert DeLeo,
(D-Winthrop), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

"Today is a great day for the Commonwealth for it marks the first payment in
a ten-year plan for public and private investment in cultural facilities.  I
first proposed this, and with other legislators, have worked for nearly ten
years to achieve this landmark funding-one of the first in the nation," said
Senator Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst), Senate President Pro Tem.
"The Massachusetts Legislature recognized the importance of investing in our
cultural landmarks," said Senator Jack Hart, (D-S. Boston), Co-Chair of the
Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. These
facilities are a key part of our competitive advantage in attracting
tourists, retaining creative workers and anchoring communities and
neighborhoods." 
 "The Cultural Facilities Fund is a powerful investment in infrastructure
for tourism all across the state.  From the Berkshires to the Cape and
everywhere in between, this ongoing investment will fuel jobs, enhance
tourism, and strengthen our communities," said Rep. Dan Bosley, (D-N.
Adams), Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging
Technologies.
"We in Massachusetts have inherited a great legacy of cultural institutions
and facilities.  Therefore, our generation must work to preserve and enhance
this legacy for future generations.   Through this investment, we not only
preserve our legacy but we also create jobs, support tourism and strengthen
our communities," said Senator Brian Joyce (D-Milton), Co-Chair of the Joint
Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development.
"As we continue to grow our economy, we need to use every available economic
development tool.  Investing in the expansion, restoration and improvement
of our cultural heritage facilities is just good sense.  People come from
all over the world to see these wonderful assets.  Not to enhance and
preserve them is bad for our economy, for our visitors, and for our own
sense of place," said Rep. Eric Turkington, (D-Falmouth) Co-Chair of the
Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development
Initial creation of the current legislation came after three
organizations-the Boston Foundation, the Massachusetts Cultural Council and
Massachusetts Advocates for the Arts, Sciences and Humanities
(MAASH)-advocated for a secure pool of state funds to be used to maintain,
renovate and expand Massachusetts' cultural facilities. Their work was based
on a survey of cultural organizations that identified more than $1.1 billion
in "bricks and mortar" needs over the next five years. 
"It is an investment in our competitive advantage," said Anita Walker,
Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. "Our heritage of
300 years of arts, sciences and humanities is a resource no state can rival.
It enriches the lives of those who live here and it is a compelling draw for
people from across the country and around the world."
Sixty-two organizations across Massachusetts will receive grants ranging
from $675,000 to $3,938 from the state's new Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF).
The grants, totaling $16.7 million, include $16.2 million for 45 capital
projects; and $478,688 for feasibility and planning studies by 17 cultural
organizations.
Thank you to all who helped advocate for this historic funding.
Dan Hunter
Executive Director
Massachusetts Advocates for the Arts, Sciences & Humanities

 

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