Dawn Heinen, Digital Communications Manager
A regular report on our equity work
Since 2021, with the launch of our first-ever Racial Equity Plan (and subsequent equity plans), Mass Cultural Council has been working on internal and external steps we can take to support and encourage an anti-racist, equitable, and inclusive cultural sector in the Commonwealth. As part of our equity work, the Agency has committed to sharing our progress on this work regularly:
EQUITY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
- We have held two Disability Advisory Committee meetings since the last report. The committee met on Nov. 5 and Jan. 12. The meetings have been focused on a discussion of the Council’s funding priorities, the future of the Universal Participation (UP) Initiative, and the development of access accountability measures. The goal is to define an access definition/rubric that sets clear, measurable criteria and benchmarks for organizations in the creative sector.
- We have held two Native American and Indigenous People’s Advisory Committee meetings since the last report. We held an in-person on Nov. 17 at the Herring Pond Wampanoag Meetinghouse in Plymouth. The first meeting focused on discussing the scope of work, goal setting, and identifying priorities. A second meeting of the committee was held online on Jan. 30 and the group finalized a statement of purpose and began a discussion about the Agency’s data collection.
SECTOR EDUCATION, SERVICES & ACHIEVEMENT
Access Office Hours were held to offer organizational counsel and effective practice for grantees:
- Nov. 12: Access Planning with Open Door Arts
- Dec. 9: Access Planning with Open Door Arts
- Jan. 27: Access Now
Please join us for any upcoming Access Office Hours:
PROGRAMS
This year the Tribal Cultural Council Program has four TCCs accepting applications:
The TCCs are wrapping up their cycles but they are poised to collectively invest in around 30 projects and programs in their communities.
INTERNAL
- Mass Cultural Council is partnering with Open Door Arts on the Arts Access Hub to strengthen accessibility across the sector. As part of this work, and to meet National Endowments of the Arts and d/Deaf and Disability Equity Plan expectations, we have formed an internal working group to complete the Arts and Culture Self-Assessment Survey for the agency. The 300+ question assessment reviews our approach, spaces, technology, communications, and programs, then produces scored reports highlighting strengths and areas that need improvement. The assessment will also synthesize results into key themes and recommendations regarding our internal and external accessibility priorities.
- Public Affairs continues to work with our web developers to get the Agency’s sites, blogs, and social media to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards in time for the federal government’s ADA Title II regulations deadline of April 24, 2026, ensuring access for people with disabilities.
- Public Affairs continues to curate the Agency’s media list, adding reporters and outlets covering arts and culture in all communities, whether print, digital, TV, or radio. Staff recently met with the Governor’s staffer assigned to New Media and compared lists, and a request was made of the Native American and Indigenous People’s Advisory Committee to share any media sources they felt should be added to the Agency’s list.