ArtsEmerson Receives $165K Gaming Mitigation Grant

ArtsEmerson was one of 43 Massachusetts performance art centers to receive a Gaming Mitigation Grant.

Mass Cultural Council is distributing more than $3.7 million across the state with grants ranging from $2,500 to $250,000. ArtsEmerson received $165,000. The grants, funded by casino tax revenues, are being administered to non-profit and municipal performing arts centers to help compete with casinos for touring artists and performances.

“The region’s expanding gaming sector has had an impact on the arts and cultural scene in both known and unknown ways,” said David Howse, executive director of ArtsEmerson and vice president of the office of the arts and institutional advancement. “The Gaming Mitigation Program provides much-needed assistance to begin correcting any negative impacts on the sector, and as recipients of those funds, we can continue to present rich, innovative, and diverse cultural programs and meaningful engagement for our community.”

The Gaming Mitigation Program was established “to mitigate a direct threat to the sustainability of non-profit and municipal performing arts centers in Massachusetts by providing capital to preserve their ability to compete with resort-style casinos to secure touring artists.”

“In an unbalanced and competitive market, funds received from the Gaming Mitigation Program help ensure arts organizations like ArtsEmerson can continue serving our communities by presenting diverse and accessible arts programming from around the globe in Emerson’s historic theaters,” said Shannon Worthington, senior development officer.