Mass Cultural Council

We believe that cultural participation can be part of a stronger cross-sectoral approach to whole-person health. A newly released study concurs.

Frontiers has just published a peer reviewed study linking arts-based social prescription – the referral of patients to creative experiences in their communities (think museum visits, dance performances, and ceramics classes) – to improvements in mental health.

Read more: https://massculturalcouncil.org/blog/peer-reviewed-study-finds-arts-prescriptions-improve-mental-well-being/

Peer-Reviewed Study Finds Arts Prescriptions Improve Mental Well-Being – Mass Cultural Council Patients showed statistically significant improvements in the World Health Organization’s WHO-5 Well-Being Index

The Massachusetts Cultural Districts Initiative has driven economic growth in communities across Massachusetts for more than a decade. Established in 2011 through an act of the state Legislature, it has grown to include a network of 58 state-designated Cultural Districts stretching statewide, including Gateway cities and small rural towns, as well as working waterfronts and vibrant downtown main streets.

We are pleased to announce that the Cultural District Designation application is now open to prospective communities.

- Info Session: July 14, 2026.
- Deadline: February 8, 2027.

Applications Available for New Cultural District Designation – Mass Cultural Council Designation offers support to municipalities looking to preserve and foster local cultural, community, and economic development

🚨🚨🚨 Take action this morning: Please ask your State Rep. to support and co-sponsor Amendments #78 & #136 before the House takes up the Mass Wins Act economic development bond bill later today.

Use MASSCreative's tool to contact your Representative: https://www.mcan-ma.org/take-action/house-mass-wins-act

We need you to take action TODAY! Contact your State Rep. and ask them to co-sponsor four key amendments for the creative sector before the House votes on their economic development bond bill tomorrow.

Urge your State Rep. to co-sponsor amendment #357 to get the Creative Space Act included in the Mass Wins Act.

Ask them to co-sponsor amendments #78, #136, and #303 to include more sector priorities.

Visit our website to learn more and take action. www.mcan-ma.org/take-action/house-mass-wins-act

📢 Advocacy Alert: Please ask your State Rep. to support and co-sponsor amendments #78 & #136 before the House takes up the Mass Wins Act economic development bond bill. The debate is scheduled for TOMORROW, Wednesday, July 7.

Use MASSCreative's tool to contact your Representative: https://www.mcan-ma.org/take-action/house-mass-wins-act

TAKE ACTION: ASK YOUR STATE REP. TO CO-SPONSOR AMENDMENTS TO THE HOUSE MASS WINS ACT — MASSCreative Action Network Help us get the Creative Space Act and other MCAN priorities included in the House’s Mass Wins Act.