The Massachusetts agency that funds arts and culture says its work goes far beyond creativity, supporting a workforce of more than 100,000 people and shaping economic and equity policy across the Commonwealth.
The Massachusetts Cultural Council funds more than 1,500 arts and cultural organizations statewide, according to a recent assessment. Those groups include nonprofit organizations such as museums, theaters and art centers, as well as for‑profit industries like fashion, design and architecture.
David T. Slatery, who recently became the council’s acting executive director, said arts and culture are deeply connected to other parts of everyday life and public policy.
“Art and culture do not exist alone,” Slatery said. Artists and cultural organizations, he added, rely on housing, transportation and energy, and the sector should be part of those policy conversations.
Culture as economic driver
Data shows the arts and cultural sector plays a major role in Massachusetts’ economy. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the National Endowment for the Arts, arts and cultural production contributed about $29 billion to the state’s economy in the most recent reporting year and supported more than 130,000 jobs.
MassCreative, using federal economic data, found arts and culture account for more than 4% of the state’s economy — a share comparable to or larger than several major industries.
Slatery said an assessment found roughly 1,500 arts and cultural organizations operating across Massachusetts, employing more than 100,000 people in some capacity, not including teachers. While states such as New York and California have more organizations overall, Slatery said Massachusetts ranks among the highest on a per‑capita basis.
“It’s much bigger than we thought,” Slatery said. In his view, arts and culture deserve “a seat at the table” in policy discussions across the state.
The economic impact is felt at the local level. An Americans for the Arts analysis found nonprofit arts and cultural activity in Springfield generated more than $82 million in economic activity and supported nearly 1,500 jobs in a year.
Statewide, MassDevelopment reports that cultural facility projects have supported tens of thousands of construction and design jobs and more than $100 million in wages. Arts organizations are planning more than $1 billion in capital projects across the state.
A 2025 report from the Healey‑Driscoll administration found the creative economy supports about 133,000 jobs and contributes roughly $27 billion annually. The report recommended better integration of arts and culture into statewide economic planning.
Leadership transition and short‑term focus
Slatery, a lawyer by training, said he has long been interested in the arts as an economic engine.
“I’m a lawyer by trade, but I’ve been very interested in supporting the arts and culture as an economic engine,” he said.
With the fiscal year 2026 spending plan already approved, Slatery said his focus is continuing existing priorities while expanding the council’s role in broader policy discussions.
“I’ve been in this role for about two weeks,” he said in a recent interview. “The plan is to keep doing what we were doing before the previous executive director left.”
Those priorities include equitable, data‑driven funding and strong local decision‑making in every city and town.
An equity funding model
Slatery said diversity, equity and inclusion will remain central to the council’s grant programs. He said all funding decisions include equity points based on factors such as income level, disability status, past access to funding and historical discrimination.
“We are not afraid to say those words,” he said.
The council also uses a data‑driven model to distribute grants based on where applications come from. Slatery pointed to the local cultural council system, which provides funding to every city and town in Massachusetts — a structure he said is unique nationwide.
In Hampden County, which submits about 9.3% of grant applications, communities receive a similar share of funding, he said.
Cultural districts, future priorities
One focus for 2026 will be strengthening the state’s cultural district program. The program includes more than 55 designated districts, including Holyoke’s newly recognized Puerto Rican Cultural District in the downtown area.
Slatery said the council is also paying attention to emerging technology, including artificial intelligence, and how it may affect artists and cultural organizations.
“We have to figure out how to use this new tool,” he said, “and make sure it helps artists and cultural organizations without replacing existing art and culture.”
While arts and culture may not receive the same attention as industries such as life sciences or transportation, Slatery said their reach is just as broad.
“I’d like to see our political leaders talking about arts and culture policy the same way they talk about other important priorities,” he said.
The Massachusetts Cultural Council partners with organizations across the state, including the Springfield Museums, MassCreative and community groups in Holyoke. One of its largest funding partners is Mass Humanities, based in Holyoke.
Slatery said the council recently opened a new office and continues to work closely with state legislators, including state Sen. Paul Mark of the Berkshires, chair of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development.
As he reflected on his time at the agency, Slatery said he remains proud of the council’s work.
“I’ve been here 13 years, and I’m extremely proud to work with this group of people,” he said. “We are committed to following through on the strategic spending plan approved for fiscal year 2026.”
He also encouraged residents to share their views.
“If people want to talk about art and culture and offer their opinions,” Slatery said, “we want to hear from them.”
