UMASS/AMHERST 312066 0367 7436 6 Massachusetts Cultural Council ^mm G0 oOCUM ^0 IS i lUj,Wrty of Massachu^tf. 'Jepos/tory Copy mission GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS COLLECTION # r "T !3 1999 - University of Massachusetts Depositee* Copy THE MASSACHUSETTS CULTURAL COUNCIL is an independent agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that grants public money to support the not-for-profit arts, humanities and interpretive sciences in the state. The mission of the Council is to promote excellence, access, education and diversity in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences in order to improve the quality of life for all Massachusetts residents, and to contribute to the economic vitality of our communities. © This support will allow us to continue to provide quality arts programming in many of our programs for children and youth. Linda Mayo-Perez Executive Director, Federated Dorchester Neighborhood Houses © message from the Governor Dear Friends: Culture plays an important role In the lives of every Massachusetts resident, from student to senior citizen. On behalf of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, it is an honor for me to introduce the 1998 Annual Report of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, an agency dedicated to the notion that the arts, sciences and humanities can build stronger, more vibrant communities. For more than 30 years, Massachusetts has invested in artists, communities, schools and not-for-profit cultural institutions in every corner of the state. The state's investment in the Massachusetts Cultural Council is a vital down payment in building a better Commonwealth, rich in cultural opportunities and a high quality of life. All of this is made possible by the talents of individuals and organizations who immerse themselves in the tasks that enrich our lives and communities, providing — educational resources and opportunities and a chance to reach one's fullest potential. In recent years, spurred by the recognition that culture is one of the engines driving the state's economy, those resources and opportunities have also been directed toward community and economic development. I am proud of the important role played by the Massachusetts Cultural Council in uniting the public, private and philanthropic worlds in meeting our goal of making the Commonwealth a richer place in which to work and live. Sincerely, Governor Paul Cellucci — message from the leadershi Massachusetts is like a tapestry. No matter where you look, you find areas of striking beauty. Stepping back, the parts become a spectacular whole. — Massachusetts is also a sum of its distinctive parts our schools, our resources, both human and natural, our international reputation as a center — for the arts, sciences and humanities that come together to nurture creativity and to build an enviable quality of life. Throughout its existence, the Massachusetts Cultural Council has proudly served as a common thread of this tapestry, investing an annual appropriation from the Legislature to help build strong, diverse communities. Through a variety of competitive grant programs, the Council distributes grants to not-for-profit cultural organizations, schools, communities and working artists. The beneficiaries include a broad cross-section of our communities students, "at-risk" youth, elders, people with disabilities, and individuals in every city and town across the Commonwealth. Economically, the last few years have been good ones, both in Massachusetts and across America. That growth has helped the state to increase its support for the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences. But the Massachusetts Cultural Council's increased budget allocation reflects more than a random gift from a good economy: it reflects the reality that the not-for-profit cultural industry has become one of the cornerstones of the Commonwealth's economy and one of the leading contributors to the quality of our lives. Not-for-profit cultural programs have an annual economic impact of S2.56 billion, and employ more than 45,300 people. Combined audience attendance for Massachusetts cultural organizations exceeded 45 — million in 1992 almost eight times the state's total population. Attendance at just three Boston museums surpassed the combined total attendance for the Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics. To help meet its important economic role, the Council has joined in partner- ships with public, private and philanthropic organizations to leverage additional investments that focus on helping to build the bricks and mortar of community as well as to nourish its soul. In the pages that follow, we will spell out in greater detail how six consecutive appropriation increases from the Governor and Legislature have made it possible for us to launch nationally recognized programs such as the YouthReach Initiative; how schools, parents and the business community have been brought together through the Education Partnership Initiative; how culture is being used as a building block for communities through the Cultural Economic Development Program and the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Project. In the coming years, our goal is to continue to build and nurture relations among the public, private and philanthropic communities, to fulfill our mission to promote the excellence, access, education and diversity that make Massachusetts. culture vital to our lives is In 1997, 50 percent of the nation's adult population participated In the arts, with museum-going and musical plays among the most popular activities. According to the National Endowment for the Arts Survey of Public Participation in the Arts, interest is also on the rise for performances of classical music, dance, jazz, ballet and opera. The continued rapid growth of technology requires a firm foundation in the sciences and mathematics for all Americans, especially our younger ones. Programs that advance understanding, appreciation and participation in the sciences serve to fuel the nation's economy and foster greater appreciation for the natural resources that provide ourjobs and improve our quality of life. The search for community is also the domain of the humanities. History, literature, philosophy and other disciplines provide us with the appreciation of our past, the language and the ideas and insights out of which any sense of common purpose must emerge. Public humanities programs in libraries, museums and theaters, in our schools and on radio and television, provide opportunities for the citizens of our state to search for and find community. Culture is also vital for our children. Studies and experience have demonstrated that students' cognitive skills development are aided by the inclusion of arts in comprehensive programs. Massachusetts recognized the value of arts education by its inclusion in the curriculum frameworks mandated by the Education Reform Act of 1993. Iture as an economic investment Massachusetts' abundant cultural resources are essential to the state's quality of life and are a major lure for businesses to locate in the state and to attract and retain employees. Cultural activities play a significant role in attracting 28 million tourists each year, helping to make tourism the state's third largest industry. In many communities and regions, culture has become a focus of economic development. A 1996 study by Northeastern University found: • Massachusetts is home to 3,029 not-for-profit arts, humanities and interpretive science organizations, 336 local cultural councils and thousands of artists and humanists. • These cultural organizations had a $2.56 billion impact on the Massachusetts economy. • Not-for-profit cultural organizations in the state employed more than 45,300 people. • State income and sales tax withholding by not-for-profit cultural organizations totaled $17.3 million. • Combined audience attendance of Massachusetts cultural — organizations exceeded 45 million in 1996 almost eight times the state's total population. • People attending cultural events spend money on meals, gas, tolls and other taxable items. Increased cultural programming means increases in related spending and state revenues. • In 1992, attendance at just three Boston museums (the Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Science and New England Aquarium) surpassed the total combined attendance of the Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins.