CI to Eye with Monica Holt Michael J. Bobbitt on Turning Creative Power into Political Power
Sep 18, 2025
Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director of the Mass Cultural Council and former creative performer, discusses the importance of integrating arts into public policy. He emphasizes the need for artists and institutions to collaborate with government for community improvement. Bobbitt shares insights on the Massachusetts arts prescribing program, which connects arts to healthcare benefits. He also advocates for arts leaders to engage with legislators and foster cross-sector partnerships to enhance the sector's political power and visibility.
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First Memory That Shaped A Life
- Michael J. Bobbitt's first vivid arts memory was playing Hansel in a school production and making a room laugh.
- That single moment offered escape from family trauma and sparked his lifelong drive to create joy through art.
Arts Training Missing Practical Skills
- Arts degrees often omit business and government training that artists need to thrive.
- Michael J. Bobbitt argues institutions must rethink curricula to include those practical skills.
Why He Left The Stage
- Bobbitt transitioned from performing after adopting a child and wanting to be home more.
- He retrained through courses and fellowships and found he loved enabling artists from outside the rehearsal room.