Boston - On September 20, 2024, the Healey Driscoll Administration appointed members of the Cultural Economy Advisory Council, a group comprised of public and private sector stakeholders charged with exploring policies that support artists and cultural organizations, examining ways to create economic opportunities in the arts and culture sector, and promoting cultural equity in the arts. Governor Healey established the council earlier this year to bolster Massachusetts’ creative economy, which adds $27 billion to the state economy each year and supports 135,000 jobs across the state.

"We are excited to kick off this effort to support our cultural economy, particularly as Massachusetts cultural and arts organizations host festivities celebrating the 250th anniversary of America's founding as part of our Massachusetts 250 initiative over the next two years,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Thank you to these council members who will help our administration identify ways to support artists and drive economic opportunity for this important sector."

“Massachusetts is home to iconic cultural and arts organizations, from world-famous museums and concert halls in Boston to theaters and artists cooperatives in the Berkshires,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Our administration is committed to investing in this sector, which contributes billions of dollars to our economy and supports thousands of good, rewarding jobs in every region of our state.”

“Our cultural and arts organizations are so important to the economic well-being of cities and towns across Massachusetts,” said Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. "They support small businesses and arts entrepreneurs, add jobs, and make our state one of the best places to live. We’re excited to launch this council and look forward to working with partners to find ways to help this sector thrive.”

"We are fortunate to have a wealth of arts and culture organizations in Massachusetts that offer visitors and residents a place to bring their families, make new memories, and experience the best our state has to offer," said Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism Executive Director Kate Fox. "This council will allow us to identify ways to support the Massachusetts creative economy and advance important priorities like equity and job creation."

The council consists of representatives of the creative tourism community, performing arts sector, and state and local government and is co-chaired by Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao and Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism Executive Director Kate Fox. The Council will work in close partnership with the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the state’s arts agency charged with bolstering the creative and cultural sector and will present recommendations for cultural development and jobs growth to Governor Healey. 

Cultural Policy Development Advisory Council Members:

- Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao (Co-Chair)
- Kate Fox, Executive Director, Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (Co-Chair)
- Michael Bobbitt, Executive Director, Massachusetts Cultural Council
- Tiffancy Allecia, Executive Director, Springfield Creative City Collective
- Luke Blackadar, Deputy Director, Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston
- Representative Mindy Domb, House Chair, Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development
- Magie Gaipo-Scott, Senior Director, Government Affairs & Legal Affairs, Museum of Fine Arts Boston
- Deborah Hall, Executive Director, YWCA of Central Massachusetts
- Candace "Lee" Heald, AHA! New Bedford
- Joyce Linehan, Assistant to the President for Special Projects, Massachusetts College of Art and Design
- Senator Paul Mark, Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development
- Ming Min Hui, Executive Director, Boston Ballet
- Lynda Roscoe Hartigan, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Peabody Essex Museum
- Emily Ruddock, Executive Director, MassCreative
- Lindsey Schmid, Director of Marketing, 1Berkshire
- Annis Sengupta, Director of Arts and Culture, Metropolitan Area Planning Council
- Chad Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer, Boston Symphony Orchestra?
- Julie Wake, Executive Director at Arts Foundation of Cape Cod