Western MA arts organizations asked to share impact of funding cuts with Beacon Hill

Here are the numbers so far in Massachusetts. $2.8 million in rescinded federal grants.
621 jobs at risk across the state. And more data is still coming in.

Earlier this spring, MASSCreative asked cultural organizations to share what those numbers meant in real life. Thirty-eight answered. Stories came in about canceled programs, jobs on the line, and communities about to lose access to the creative spaces and services they rely on.

On July 15, these stories were presented to the House Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability. It was a closed-door hearing, but the impact is very public. It’s happening in schools, senior centers, veterans' programs, libraries, rural community halls, places we pass by and visit every day.

Some of those stories came from Western Mass. Many didn’t. Not because we’re unaffected, but because sometimes we’re just not at the table when it’s time to speak.

There’s still time to have your voice heard. If your organization lost NEA, NEH, or IMLS funding, or relies on programs that did, you can submit written testimony until Tuesday, July 22 at 5 PM.

Just share what changed and what’s at risk if these cuts continue.

Here’s how to do it:

Address your letter to
The Honorable Kathleen R. LaNatra
Chair, House Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability
Email it to: christopher.jean@mahouse.gov
And CC:

• Rep. Sean Garballey
• Sen. Paul W. Mark

MASSCreative has put together a template and guide to help you write it. You can also include photos or quotes if that helps tell the story.

Photo by AbhiSuryawanshi - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0