Key Information about Senate Bill 1878 An Act Establishing the Massachusetts Cultural Trust Fund (updated on 3/1/10)

This bill was filed by State Senator Rosenberg and it would establishi a cultural trust fund to stablize long term funding for the Massachusetts Cultural Council (our state arts council), the Cultural Facilities Fund and other state arts and cultural programs.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

You can testify in favor of SB1878 and/or send in written testimony as this is an important bill for artists rights:

An Act Establishing the Massachusetts Cultural Trust Fund SB 1878

---The public hearing for the bill is Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at 10:30am Hearing Room B2 at the State House 2010- 1pm in room A1 at the Massachusetts State House. It is being heard by the Joint Committee on Revenue and to send in email testimony send it to: Katherine.Ryan@state.ma.us

HOW TO ADDRESS AND WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR WRITTEN TESTIMONY:

HOW TO ADDRESS YOUR TESTIMONY:

Chairman Senator Benjamin B. Downing and Chairman Representative Jay R. Kaufman

Joint Committee on Revenue

Room 34 and Room 413F

Massachusetts State House

Boston MA 02133

Dear Chairman Downing, Chairman Kaufman and members of the Joint Committee on Revenue,

EXAMPLE TEXT:

(PLEASE ONLY USE THIS TEXT AN EXAMPLE- PUT YOUR WRITTEN TESTIMONY IN YOUR OWN WORDS)

I am writing in support of Senate Bill 1878 -An Act Establishing the Massachusetts Cultural Trust Fund. Funding for artists, arts and cultural programs are usually the first to be in cut or eliminated in an economic crisis or slow down. This is turn causes cultural and art organizations of all kinds to serverly curtail their programming (which is already operating on a shoe string budget) or to close their doors.

The creative economy, which artists and the arts are two of the key engines of, is the third largest economic sector of our commonwealth. Unlike other sectors, many people do not go into the arts to make a profit but to better our communities. Establishing the Massachusetts Cultural Trust Fund would ensure that this important sector and those organizations and individuals thrive and are stable.

[add how this bill would help you and/or your organizations/business etc..]

I ask youto respectfully support of SB 1878.

Sincerely,

your name, artistic discipline and contact information

To be informed of Massachusetts Legislation that impacts artists of all disciplines and arts small businesses and nonprofits- join the ArtistsUndertheDome.org's free listserv and also see their section on pending Massachusetts legislation.