Bethann Steiner, Senior Director of Public Affairs
Today, the gubernatorially-appointed governing body of the Mass Cultural Council convened its 164th business meeting at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, in Boylston.
As the Commonwealth’s independent state arts agency, Mass Cultural Council is charged with bolstering the creative and cultural sector, thereby advancing economic vitality; supporting transformational change; and celebrating, preserving, and inspiring creativity across all Massachusetts communities. The Agency is governed by a 19-member board of private citizens, collectively referred to as “the Council.”
“Under the direction of Chair Marc Carroll and Vice-Chair Jo-Ann Davis, Mass Cultural Council is working to execute the Agency’s strategic and equity plans and ensure the Massachusetts creative and cultural sector continues to be vibrant, innovative, and economically impactful in all our communities,” said Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director, Mass Cultural Council.
As directed by state law, Council members are appointed by the Governor and have demonstrated scholarship or creativity in, or distinguished service to, the arts, humanities, interpretative sciences, or local arts. Council members serve staggered, three-year terms and reside in every region of the Commonwealth.
Marc Carroll, of Milton, serves as Council Chair; he is assisted by Council Vice-Chair Jo-Ann W. Davis, of West Springfield.
“Our governing Council is made up of an amazing group of leaders from across Massachusetts, each bringing unique expertise to advance our mission. Together, we work to ensure that the creative and cultural sector thrives in every region of the Commonwealth. I’m so proud to serve alongside such a talented and dedicated group of individuals,” said Carroll.
The other members of the Council include:
- Ché Anderson, Worcester
- Rhonda Anderson, Colrain
- Emily Bramhall, Chilmark
- Simone Early, Essex
- Iván Espinoza-Madrigal, East Boston
- Donna Haghighat, East Longmeadow
- Yvonne Hao, Williamstown
- Cecil Barron Jensen, Nantucket
- David S. Kong, Lexington
- Anika Lopes, Amherst
- Petrina Martin, Canton
- Diane Asadorian Masters, Somerville
- Allyce J. Najimy, Boston
- Ashley Occhino, Taunton
- Ellice Patterson, Brookline
- Mark Synder, Plymouth
- Julie Wake, Centerville
Professional biographies of all 19 Council members are available.
“It is an honor for me to serve with my distinguished Council members, in partnership with the Agency’s outstanding staff team, to advance our exciting and ambitious plans to support and enhance the world-class cultural sector of this Commonwealth,” said Vice-Chair Davis.
To further help Mass Cultural Council achieve its mission and strategic planning and equity goals, Chair Carroll and Vice-Chair Davis have formed two standing committees: Advancement and Programs.
The Advancement Committee is co-chaired by Ché Anderson and Iván Espinoza-Madrigal, while the Programs Committee is co-chaired by Cecil Barron Jensen and Julie Wake. Together, the Council Chair, Vice-Chair, and four committee co-chairs form the Executive Committee. They are joined by Simone Early, who serves on the Executive Committee in an At-Large capacity.
Perhaps marking the first time a sitting Governor participated in a Council meeting, Governor Healey addressed her appointees via video address and charged them with taking bold action to continue the Agency’s work of fostering a creative, equitable, and vibrant cultural sector across Massachusetts.
During the meeting the Council approved grant awards to cultural organizations and schools, designated three new cultural districts in the communities of Holyoke, Watertown, and Westfield, and received a data presentation on an inventory of the Commonwealth’s creative and cultural sector recently commissioned by the Agency.