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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio)— A new bill at the State House seeks to make the art in the building more inclusive.
State Sen. Julian Cyr's new bill aims to establish a legislative commission on artistic representation at the Massachusetts State House. The goal of the commission is to replace any art in the building that may be racially or culturally insensitive.
Cyr said he believes the artwork on Beacon Hill does not represent the true diversity of Massachusetts and its history.
"You see very few representations of women and no representation of people of color, people living with disabilities, and queer folks," Cyr said in a hearing.
The commission will conduct a review of the State House's art and identify what can be replaced and identify new places within the building where new art could be commissioned. If the bill is passed, they will have to submit the report on or before June 1, 2022.
It will consist of a diverse coalition of State House members and people from organizations and groups for underrecognized populations. Some groups include members of the Massachusetts Black & Latino Legislative Caucus and chairs of Wampanoag tribes.
"If we are to keep the State House the people's house, as a living, breathing museum to our representative democracy, we can do better," Cyr said to the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development.
WBZ's Tim Dunn (@ConsiderMeDunn) has the story.
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