Arts + Policy

Now not the time to hike PILOT payments for arts organizations

The creative economy faces enough challenges already following pandemic devastation

By Craig Coogan 0 Comments Jun 7, 2021

BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, arts nonprofits in Boston were a potent driver of the local economy, supporting at least 45,889 full time jobs, generating over $1.3 billion in spending, and bringing in $34.9 million in local tax revenue annually. But over the last year, they’ve sustained devastating economic losses. A survey of 314 arts organizations in(...)

Senate proposal pares back film tax credit

Backs more spending in Mass., lower subsidies for stars

By Bruce Mohl Arts and Culture, Film tax credit 0 Comments May 11, 2021

THE SENATE BUDGET committee is proposing major changes to the film tax credit, setting the stage for a major clash with the House over the lucrative incentives the state offers to film and television production companies to shoot in Massachusetts. The House voted 160-0 in April to keep the existing film tax credit in place(...)

Arts programming in Boston schools linked to attendance, engagement gains

Study finding follows decade-long effort to boost arts in district

By Michael Jonas 0 Comments May 10, 2021

A NEW STUDY says an effort to increase arts programming in the Boston Public Schools has helped boost student attendance and promote student and parent engagement with schools, outcomes that arts supporters say provide added rationale for maintaining or enhancing the role of arts in the schools. For students receiving arts programming, the study found(...)

House follows Mariano’s lead on film tax credit

Budget amendment does away with sunset provision

By Bruce Mohl Film tax credit, Taxes and Budget Issues 0 Comments Apr 26, 2021

THE HOUSE, getting in line behind a high priority of Speaker Ron Mariano, unanimously passed a budget amendment on Monday that would do away with the planned sunset of the film tax credit program at the end of next year. The vote was 160-0, with no one in the chamber dissenting despite a recent report(...)

Tax breaks not on House budget chief’s radar

Michlewitz served on tax expenditure commission

By Bruce Mohl Massachusetts Legislature 0 Comments Apr 14, 2021

THE HOUSE’S TOP budget official said his spending plan for fiscal 2022 doesn’t address outdated or ineffective tax breaks highlighted in a recent commission report and he doesn’t plan to push for separate legislation to deal with them. Rep. Aaron Michlewitz of Boston, the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, served on the(...)

Public art can help drive our post-pandemic renewal

Shared cultural displays are 'expressive and democratic' at their core

By Kate Gilbert 0 Comments Mar 30, 2021

A YEAR INTO the global pandemic and the once-familiar roar of people, cars, and activity in Boston is still a memory. The feeling of life in suspension persists. Yet, glimmers of hope sparkle as vaccines roll out, days lengthen, and workers return. Now is the time to imagine how we safely and equitably reopen Boston(...)

Film tax credit backers say they have the votes

Dispute findings of tax expenditure commission

By Bruce Mohl Film tax credit, Massachusetts Legislature 0 Comments Mar 26, 2021

SUPPORTERS OF THE state’s film tax credit, which came under fire this week from a commission examining Massachusetts tax breaks, say they have the votes to pass legislation that would make the tax credit permanent. The credit, which under current law is scheduled to sunset on January 1, 2023, provides a tax credit equal to(...)

Meet Michael Bobbitt, state’s new arts leader

‘Arts and culture is inherently a social justice medium’

By Bruce Mohl 0 Comments Feb 8, 2021

THE LIFE STORY of Michael Bobbitt is probably very similar to what he would like to replicate for residents statewide as he takes over as the executive director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Bobbitt, as a young boy growing up in Maryland just outside Washington, DC, was exposed to the arts, took a strong interest,(...)

There are many Amanda Gormans out there

Unique and powerful voices are all around us

By Jessica Drench Arts and creativity 0 Comments Feb 4, 2021

RIGHT NOW, poetry has our attention. On January 20, Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in US history, performed her breathtaking poem The Hill We Climb in front of 40 million viewers. The power and sublime beauty of her words, the grace of her poetic hand gestures, and the brilliance with which she captured this(...)

As BSO, Boch Center struggle, fundraising takes off

Local cultural institutions await rollout of $15b in grants

By Bruce Mohl Arts and Culture 0 Comments Jan 27, 2021

TWO OF BOSTON’S leading cultural institutions had their best fundraising years ever last year as patrons rushed to help fill a void created by COVID-19. “We’ve raised more money now than when we were open,” said Josiah Spaulding, the president and CEO of the Boch Center, which has been shut down since March 12. “The(...)