Call to Arts, a newly formed grassroots effort to advocate for and advance the work of local artists, has launched a Create the Vote campaign for Somerville’s 2019 municipal elections. Create the Vote is a non-partisan, grassroots campaign to engage voters and candidates for office on the vital role that arts, culture and creative expression play in improving our schools, strengthening our economy, and building neighborhoods where people want to live, work, and play.

As part of the Create the Vote campaign to engage candidates for local office in Somerville, MA on arts and culture issues, Call to Arts joined with area arts groups including Artisan’s Asylum, Artists for Equity + Space, Boston Burners, Brickbottom Artists Association, the Center for the Arts at the Armory, CraftMass, Joy Street Studios, Miller Street Studios, Nave Gallery, New Alliance Gallery, Somerville Open Studios and Vernon Street Studios. A questionnaire was sent to candidates in contested races for Mayor and Councilor at Large, as well as for Ward Councilor, although all are running unopposed in this election. Candidate responses are available online at: https://calltoarts.org/create-the-vote-2019/.

This year’s questionnaire addresses key issues of affordability, access to space, and city investment in arts infrastructure. Statistics shared at recent Somerville ResiStat meetings revealed that for every $1 invested in the arts, the city sees $4.40 in economic impacts. These impacts include direct income to the artists that sell, perform and teach at arts programs and events as well as the indirect impact of attendees patronizing local businesses. Conservative estimates of one such program run by the Somerville Arts Council, ArtsUnion, suggests a $3 million economic impact over the last 5 years.

“We are excited to live and work as artists in a place like Somerville, where arts and culture is recognized as a driver of our economy and key to creating a livable city. However, with increasing pressures from development and a crisis around available space to create, rehearse, and present all forms of art, we need our local officials to continue to make real investments in arts and culture infrastructure. Whether that’s a percent for art program, or partnering with artists in the creative reuse of municipal properties, we know there is more the city can do to retain support and attract the creative class which has made Somerville such a desired place to live,” says Call to Arts organizer, dance artist, and Ward 7 Somerville resident Jess Muise.

Call to Arts’ effort is inspired by MASSCreative’s Create the Vote toolkit, which has been effective in other cities and towns in the Commonwealth. Since 2013, Create the Vote campaigns have resulted in increased investment in arts and culture, including establishing the arts commissioner position in the City of Boston, supporting matching cultural council funds in municipalities like Medford and Medfield, and spearheading a dedicated arts fund using revenue from the city’s lodging tax in New Bedford.

To stay updated on the campaign, follow Call to Arts on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @aCall2Arts.

A Call to Arts is a coalition of Somerville, Cambridge and Boston based artists begun in the summer of 2019. We believe that together we can create a stronger artistic community to the benefit of creators and patrons alike. The arts are an essential part of what makes our communities vibrant and why we choose to make this our home. https://calltoarts.org/.

Call to Arts is a hosted community of CraftMass, a Somerville based non-profit launched to acknowledge and support communities with a focus on creation. Their mission is to promote community participation in artistic and fabrication activities, support the formation of such communities, and provide education in the creation and practices of creative communities.  https://craftmass.com/.