Yesterday Governor Deval Patrick (seen above with North Adams Mayor Richard Alcombright) signed a supplemental budget for the current fiscal year that restores $750,000 to the Massachusetts Cultural Council for its John & Abigail Adams Arts Program for the Creative Economy. Often referred to as simply the Adams Arts Program, it is named after the historic figure, not the Berkshire town. Even so, North Adams Mayor Alcombright has continued to play a key role, as have Berkshire state representatives Gail Cariddi and Smitty Pignatelli. They know from the role of culture in the Berkshires economy how important the continued support of cultural development is. This relatively small investment in turn contributes tens of millions to the state’s economy.
The Governor’s decision followed vigorous advocacy from cultural leaders, local officials, and business groups, and also reflected broad support for the Adams program in the state Legislature. It means MCC can restore grants to its current core of cultural economy projects this fiscal year while also protecting grants for nonprofit cultural organizations, local cultural councils, education, and artists, from further cuts.
“This is a real victory for the cultural sector of Massachusetts,” said Anita Walker, MCC Executive Director. “It shows that quality work and clear, consistent advocacy translate into support from our elected officials, even in these difficult times.”
Mayor Acombright is running for a second term and was no doubt happy to learn his advocacy of the arts produced some solid results.
“These municipal leaders have been tremendous partners in advancing our shared mission to harness the power of arts and culture to enhance the quality of life in their communities,” said Walker. “We thank them for stepping up and helping us make the case to the Legislature and the Governor.”
Walker also thanked the Governor, Senate President Therese Murray, and House Speaker Robert DeLeo for their support for Adams funding. Other legislators key to the restoration included Senators Stephen Brewer of Barre, Eileen Donoghue of Lowell, Benjamin Downing of Pittsfield, Daniel Wolf of Harwich, and Stanley Rosenberg of Amherst; and Representatives Sarah Peake of Provincetown, Brian Dempsey of Haverhill, Patricia Haddad of Somerset, Stephen Kulik of Worthington, and Smitty Pignatelli of Lenox. Many other legislators joined efforts by the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development and the Cultural Caucus to restore Adams funding.
About the Adams Arts Program
Business and government leaders agree that Massachusetts’ future prosperity is closely tied to the creative economy. Industries such as the arts, architecture, publishing, advertising, and design employ 109,000 workers and generate $4.2 billion in annual economic impact in the Commonwealth.
The MCC has been supporting creative economy initiatives throughout Massachusetts for a decade, beginning in the 1990s. In 2004, the Legislature created the Adams Arts Program, which funds projects that create jobs and income, revitalize downtowns, and draw cultural tourists.
Adams-funded projects leverage the assets of the creative sector – artists, cultural organizations, and arts-related businesses – inherent in Massachusetts’ communities to generate real income. Communities as diverse as Boston, Lowell, Salem, New Bedford, and Pittsfield have used these funds to more fully realize these assets for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.
Some Recipients of 2011 Grants Under the Adams Arts Program
BERKSHIRES
Berkshire Cultural Resource Center, North Adams
Lead Organization: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Funded 2006-2011
The Berkshire Cultural Resource Center provides presenting and sales opportunities as well as professional development resources for artists, arts professionals, and creative economy workers with the goal of bringing and retaining a creative class of people to the Berkshires while fostering economic stability in downtown North Adams.
Grant: $32,000
Berkshire Umbrella Festival, Pittsfield
Lead Organization: Berkshire Creative Economy Council
Funded 2011 (Planning Grant)
The project will test the feasibility of an annual, county-wide cultural festival to highlight the wealth of Berkshire County attractions, leverage existing cultural assets, and infuse the region with new visitors.
Grant: $5,000
Cultural Pittsfield
Lead Organization: City of Pittsfield
Funded 2005-2011
Cultural Pittsfield is a project to support and incubate new cultural initiatives that bring visitors and attract new businesses and residents to Pittsfield; and to contribute to the city’s ongoing rebranding as a vibrant cultural center by providing co-marketing efforts to broaden the market and increase economic activity for the city’s arts sector and for others.
Grant: $35,000
STATEWIDE
Assets for Artists, North Adams
Lead Organization: Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art
Funded 2007(Planning Grant), 2009-2011
The project provides an innovative set of tools to enable artists of all disciplines to advance entrepreneurially and financially through financial education, microenterprise training, home ownership assistance, and access to capital. Based on the project’s success and partnership building in other parts of the state, the initiative will expand into eastern Massachusetts this year.
Grant: $55,000
The Massachusetts Film/Video Industry: Growth and Integration (formerly Massachusetts Motion Media Initiative & Refocusing the Lens)
Lead Organization: The Center for Independent Documentary
Funded 2005, 2008-2009, 2011
This project seeks to increase economic opportunities for individuals and businesses working in the film production industry and attract new production business – particularly commercial and corporate work- to Massachusetts by deepening and broadening a workforce development agenda.
Grant: $50,000
