After convening a conference meeting to reconcile the Senate’s and House’s proposed budgets, on July 8, the Massachusetts’ Legislature passed the FY2016 state budget. It includes funding the Massachusetts Cultural Council at $14.16 million. This appropriation marks a $2 million—or 18%—increase from last year’s budget.

According to MASS-Creative, the state arts advocacy organization and Americans for the Arts’ State Arts Action Network member, the Commonwealth’s investment in the creative community over the past three years has increased by 49%—from $9.5 million to $14.16 million. Governor Charlie Baker now has 10 days to approve the budget.