Support for MA Budget Amendments 686 & 832

Sen. Ed Kennedy of Lowell, Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development, has filed amendments to the Senate Ways and Means budget for the coming fiscal year that would support Massachusetts Cultural Council – Amendments #686 and #832. Specifics on the amendments can be found here: https://massculturalcouncil.org/blog/advocate-in-the-state-senate/

Several EMACT member groups have asked for language to help advocate for these amendments, which is timely as the MA legislature will be taking these up this week. If you choose to contact your legislators, support language can be found at the link above, and EMACT President Celia Couture has also drafted the following response that member groups may use or amend as they see fit: 

Dear (INSERT LEGISLATOR),
 
I am writing to you as the (INSERT ROLE) for (INSERT COMPANY). Please do what you can to help fund the Mass Cultural Council and Amendments #686 and #832. MCC is a vital part of the MA arts ecosystem and while funding has been strong, it could be better. As funding for the arts is stifled at the national level, we cannot afford to limit or decrease funding to our 501(c)3 non-profit arts organizations.  Community theatre funding and programming for non-professional artists is essential to help a community thrive. 
 
Please do what you can to rally your fellow legislators to support this funding. Community Theatre fills a need for so many communities who simply can’t afford the high price of tickets in our professional houses. Your support will go a long way to making the arts in our communities a reality.
 
Respectfully,
 
(INSERT NAME)
THEATRE GROUP