Massachusetts Creates New Position to Support the Arts

Of recent interest to arts organizations, with implications for all nonprofits, is the unique position that Massachusetts has created as part of its efforts to strengthen the arts sector. The new “creative economy” director will work to connect arts and cultural organizations, both nonprofit and for-profit groups, to the resources that they need in order to help them grow and develop.

Massachusetts sees that the arts sector is a valuable part of the state’s economy and is willing to invest the money needed to support it by creating this new position. Over 100,000 people are employed by arts and cultural organizations in Massachusetts and the sector creates billions of dollars of economic activity within the state.

This is exciting news for all nonprofits, especially those involved with the arts. Massachusetts has realized how vital it is for state and local government to pay attention to, and support, these organizations. The economic impact of nonprofits is not going unrealized; hopefully the growing awareness of the creative economy’s impact will lead to more state support here in New York as well. For more on the role of the state, check out the report titled, “States and the Creative Economy” put together by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies.