For the services and operations of the Massachusetts cultural council, including grants to or contracts with public and nonpublic entities; provided, that the council may expend the amounts appropriated in this item for the council as provided in
sections 52 to 58A, inclusive, of chapter 10 of the General Laws; provided further, that 25 per cent of the amount appropriated in this item shall be transferred quarterly from the State Lottery and Gaming Fund, established in
section 35 of said chapter 10, to the General Fund; provided further, that a person employed under this item shall be considered an employee within the meaning of
section 1 of chapter 150E of the General Laws and shall be placed in the appropriate bargaining unit; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended for ADA accessibility upgrades at the Albion Cultural Exchange in the town of Wakefield; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra to support diverse concert performances, increased outreach and youth education opportunities as well as deferred maintenance, staffing and concert support materials to enhance community engagement and reach underserved and economically challenged students; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for South Shore Art Center, Inc. to build institutional capacity to broaden community impact; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for the artists community assistance program to be administered by the Allston Village Main Streets, Inc. of Boston; provided further, that not less than $20,000 shall be expended for the Special Needs Arts Programs, Inc. of Lexington to support a part--time assistant music director and develop recorded classes to be used in group homes and day programs; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to the Children's Museum of Franklin, Inc.; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the Franklin Performing Arts Company, Inc.; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for Three Saints, Inc., in the city of Lawrence to support community services and promote Italian heritage; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for East Somerville Main Street, Inc. in the city of Somerville; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for the historic Cyrus E. Dallin Art Museum, Inc.; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the Boston Ballet, Incorporated; provided further, that not less than $15,000 shall be expended for the Woods Hole Film Festival for operations and programming; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for Cogswell ArtSpace in the city of Haverhill to complete the installation of fire--rated walls required by code; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for The Frederick Douglass Neighborhood Association, Inc. for community programming in the city of Brockton; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended for the African American Association of Brockton Corp. for community programming in the city of Brockton; provided further, that the council shall expend from any source an amount not less than 75 per cent of this item on grants and subsidies to further the achievement of the goals of the council's 3--year strategic plan, including: (i) stewarding programmatic practices that advance equity, diversity and inclusion; (ii) advancing the creative and cultural sector through building partnerships, identifying recommendations and storytelling; and (iii) ensuring internal systems, structures and ways of working reflect the council's values of creativity, public service and inclusion and advance the sector's needs; provided further, that not later than November 3, 2025, the council shall submit its board--approved fiscal year 2026 spending plan to the office of the state treasurer, the executive office for administration and finance, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on tourism, arts and cultural development including, but not limited to, the amounts to be expended on: (a) grants and subsidies; (b) personnel; (c) leases and utilities; and (d) travel, delineated by in--state and board--approved out--of--state travel; provided further, that not less than $25,000 shall be expended as an honorarium to the official Poet Laureate of Massachusetts pursuant to executive order number 640; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for Hope for Youth and Families, Inc. to expand arts opportunities for youth and increase the capacity of existing arts organizations in the city of Springfield; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended to Debbie''s Treasure Chest, Inc. in the city of Lawrence to provide aid and support to disadvantaged and at--risk families in the Merrimack Valley; and provided further, that not less than $75,000 shall be expended to Elevated Thought, Inc. to support the creation of murals in the city of Lawrence
