Webinar covers select board role in community arts, culture

A Massachusetts Select Board Association webinar with the Mass Cultural Council on Dec. 11 discussed how select boards can support arts and culture initiatives and advance economic development in their communities.

“Select boards play a huge role, and a key role, in the work of supporting arts and culture in municipalities,” said MCC Community Initiative Program Manager Lisa Simmons. “And for that, we thank you.”

Simmons said select board members make appointments to local cultural councils, support funding through municipal budget line items, promote the visibility of cultural programming, and help connect the local cultural sector to town departments and resources.

Carolyn Cole, special projects manager for advancement at the MCC, gave an overview of the economic impact of the cultural sector.

“Arts and culture are essential for economic prosperity, innovation, creativity, and health,” she said.

In 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis found that the cultural sector generated $28.6 billion in spending and economic activity in Massachusetts — more than the construction or transportation industries. Arts and culture initiatives also enhance tourism and create new jobs.

Sommers Smith, a community initiative program officer at the MCC, discussed the funding and local partnership programs offered through the Mass Cultural Council. Opportunities in early 2025 include the Creative Experiences grant and operating grants for municipal cultural organizations with at least one full-time staff member.

In a conversation with Cheyenne Cohn-Postell, an MCC community initiative program officer, Orleans Select Board Member Andrea Shaw Read and Carlisle Select Board Member Kate Reid discussed their experiences supporting local arts and culture projects.

Shaw Read said Orleans “didn’t really fit the urban model of a cultural district.” So, in partnership with volunteers from the local cultural council, the Select Board focused on making improvements to walkability and way-finding between cultural and recreational sites in town. Those changes helped to open more opportunities for programming throughout the year — even during Cape Cod’s off-season.

“As a Select Board … we have to pay attention to our commitment to year-round vibrancy and year-round residents,” Shaw Read said.

MCC staff unveiled the Rural Municipalities Toolkit, a compilation of arts and culture sector resources specifically for small communities. The toolkit was organized in partnership with the Executive Office of Economic Development – Rural Affairs.

Simmons reminded local leaders that their towns “have incredible stories to tell, especially because of the impact and history that Massachusetts has.”

“We in the cultural sector are really excited to help you lift up those stories and bring those voices to the forefront,” she said.

 

• Culture Builds Community – Mass Cultural Council presentation (7M PDF)