Boston City Council Ways and Means Committee Hears FY27 Budgets for Arts, Tourism, Licensing on April 30, 2026

The Boston City Council Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Councilor Ben Weber (District 6), held a hearing on April 30, 2026, at 2:14 PM to review the Fiscal Year 2027 operating budgets for Consumer Affairs and Licensing, the Office of Tourism, Sports and Entertainment, and the Office of Arts and Culture. The hearing also covered the Public Art Revolving Fund, Strand Theater Revolving Fund, and City Hall Plaza Revolving Fund. The hearing was live-streamed and broadcast on local cable channels. Public testimony was taken in person and virtually, with a large turnout of arts advocates.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Over 30 individuals testified, nearly all opposing the proposed 27% cut ($1 million) to the Office of Arts and Culture (MOAC) budget. Speakers included artists, nonprofit leaders, educators, and small business owners.
• Moose Al Debinga (Executive Director, Origination Cultural Arts Center) stated that grants like SuccessLink and Boston Cultural Council allow them to employ teens and college students, and that the cuts would remove safe spaces and income for families. He urged restoring the $1 million cut.
• Jay Padgett (Hyde Park resident, Program Director of Mass Cultural Facilities Fund) called the cuts “pejorative” and urged reconsideration, noting that creative spaces are essential infrastructure.
• Kim Dawson O'Hilmova (East Boston resident, Executive Director of Grub Street) cited data that every dollar invested in the arts generates $3 to $10 in economic activity, so a $1 million cut could mean a $3–10 million loss for the local economy.
• Elizabeth Yvette Rumieris (stage manager, Actors Equity Association) said, “A budget is a moral document,” and that the cut would lead to smaller productions, fewer jobs, and push artists out of Boston.
• Shira Helena Gitlin (co-producer, Boston Area Theater Auditions) noted that small organizations like BADA rely on city funding and that cuts would disproportionately affect artists of color, emerging artists, and transgender artists.
• Camila Mandarrojas Pinheiro Pagan (CEO, Beat the Odds) said arts funding directly translates into safe spaces and mentorship for youth, and urged reinstatement of the $1 million.
• Jesse Baxter (Company One Theater) highlighted that their partnership with the city produced 10 productions, hired 500 artists, and served 25,000 audience members, and that cuts would harm civic infrastructure.
• Christine Valencourt (president, Fort Point Arts Community) requested restoration of the 27% reduction and the development of a dedicated sustainable revenue stream like Denver, Houston, or Seattle models.
• Neil Poole (Artistic Director, Verbal Fabric) asked for the city’s long-term strategy to sustain grassroots organizations and how they can be included in collective solutions.
• Libby Bullinger Snyder (dance educator) noted that dancers earn an average of $7,074 per year, and cuts would make it even harder for them to survive.
• Genevieve Day (co-executive director, Fenway Alliance) said the city should be funding MOAC even more, not less.
• Dawn Simmons (Artistic Director, Speakeasy Stage) said the budget signals that arts are not a priority, and that the arts are a necessity for Boston’s marketability.
• Kate Gilbert (Executive Director, Boston Public Art Triennial) reported that the triennial had 2.7 million views, 2 billion impressions, and $9.5 million in economic impact, with 80% of spending staying in Greater Boston. She said city funding signals to other funders that arts matter.
• Michaela Cowie (Director of Theater Arts, Boston Center for the Arts) stated that creative industries generate jobs, tourism, and support small businesses, and that cuts would impact employment and economic activity.
• Stefan Lafume (co-founder of Thrill) said defunding the arts would reverse progress in racial equity and tell BIPOC artists their culture does not matter.
• Akiba Abaka (interim executive director, National Center of Afro American Artists) quoted Langston Hughes and Dr. King, saying arts create emotional integration, and Boston has an opportunity to lead.
• Audrey Serafin (theater artist, Boston Cultural Council member) noted that MOAC is less than 0.7% of the city budget but is being asked to take a 27% cut, which she called “unprecedented, unacceptable, and unreasonable.” She warned that organizations will shutter and creatives will be pushed out.
• Karen Crowlock (co-artistic director, Monkey House) emphasized the importance of arts for people with disabilities and public health, sharing a personal story of how dance saved her life.
• Lakira Williams (UMPA) (founder of Outlawed and Culture X) said she has generated millions for the creative economy and moved $500,000 in public funding to Boston neighborhoods. She called for infrastructure that makes arts funding conversations obsolete.
• Nate McLean Nichols (program director, Center for Teen Empowerment) urged the council to either amend the budget to prioritize creatives or reject the mayor’s budget outright.
• Yuko Okabe (BCA resident) said, “Artists love Boston, but I wish Boston loved us back,” and asked for reinstatement.
• George Ye (retired professor, donor) said public funding is catalytic, leveraging private dollars, and that cuts would constrain programming and private giving.

Discussion Items

• Consumer Affairs and Licensing: Kathleen Joyce, Executive Director, reported on the licensing board’s work, including 75 new alcohol licenses from the 225 newly available, 31 upgrades to all-alcohol licenses, and 720 special one-day all-alcohol licenses processed. The Boston Cannabis Board issued 7 licenses in FY26 (4 equity, 3 non-equity). The office received a $97,000 grant from the AG’s office and recovered over $214,000 in 2025. Special events processed over 780 applications in 2026, with 1,000 in 2025. Joyce noted a $262,000 reduction in their budget, including $150,000 cut from Open Streets (reducing from 5 to 4 events). She said two temporary positions funded by the council need renewal to maintain outreach and internal systems.
• Office of Tourism, Sports and Entertainment: Amy Yandel, Director of Special Events, highlighted upcoming events: FIFA World Cup 2026 (Boston hosting matches and FanFest), Tall Ships (July 11-16, 28 vessels from 29 nations), and Open Streets expanding to Roslindale. She noted that over 2.8 million has been reinvested through Open Streets, with local businesses seeing up to 300% increase in sales. The office is seeking a new director of tourism.
• Office of Arts and Culture: Chief Joseph Henry presented a mission-led approach with three core missions: grow and retain the creative workforce, make space for the creative economy, and expand equitable participation. He reported that 18.6% of Bostonians surveyed said the creative economy is their primary income source, and 7.54% said secondary. The creative industries contribute $15 billion annually to Boston’s economy and support 70,000 workers. He highlighted the 290 North Beacon project (40,000 sq ft of music rehearsal space and over 100 units of affordable housing), the Strand Theater upgrades, and work on cultural zoning. He noted the $1 million cut is a 27% reduction to MOAC’s operating budget, primarily affecting grants. He emphasized that the department will focus on leveraging capital investments (e.g., percent for art) and unlocking mitigation funds. He also mentioned joining the World Cities Culture Forum.
• Councilor Questions: Councilors Louijeune, Durkin, Braden, Fitzgerald, and Culpepper asked about the impact of cuts, cultural zoning, artist displacement, the Strand Theater, music rehearsal space, and partnerships with foundations. Chief Henry discussed the need for technical guidance on creative spaces, a culture risk office to address displacement, and the importance of tying arts to economic development. He noted that the Strand Theater needs $150 million in deferred maintenance, but smaller upgrades (marquee, loading dock) are underway.

Key Outcomes

• No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and for public testimony.
• The committee will continue budget hearings through June. The last listening session is scheduled for Thursday, May 26, 2026, at 6:00 PM at City Hall.
• Councilors indicated they will consider amendments to the FY27 budget, including restoring the $1 million cut to MOAC, based on the strong public testimony.
• The hearing was adjourned at approximately 6:00 PM (estimated from the length of testimony).