September 18, 2024 (Cape Cod, MA) – With the Massachusetts State Primary in the rearview mirror, the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod is looking to engage the public in the November election by holding a Meet the Candidates Night with the two candidates for the Plymouth and Barnstable Senate seat on Wednesday, September 25th, 6-7:30 PM.
WCAI’s Mindy Todd will moderate the discussion between State Representative Dylan Fernandes (D) of Falmouth and State Representative Mathew Muratore (R) of Plymouth.
Individuals who wish to attend the event, which is being held at the Sandwich Glass Museum, are asked to register in advance at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/kc59886.
“This is a great way for voters in the district to learn more about each candidate, their platforms as they relate to arts and culture, and the opportunities for our next Senator to make an impact on the arts in our communities,” said Arts Foundation Executive Director Julie Wake. “As the regional arts agency for the Cape, it’s important for us to take the lead in not only shining a spotlight on the arts, but ways that each of us can use our voices and our votes to advocate for the resources to strengthen and grow the sector. Forums like this serve as a reminder of the importance of civic involvement and the roles each of us play in the functioning of our government.”
The Arts Foundation is partnering with MASSCreative on this forum because it is an open seat with no incumbent running. State Senator Susan L. Moran of Falmouth, who was elected in May 2020, is not running for reelection.
The event will focus solely on arts and culture with each candidate describing ways they will work to support the sector, if elected.
Combined, the arts account for a $28.6 billion impact to the state, representing 4.1% of the Massachusetts economy. In comparison sectors, arts and culture’s value ranked second behind retail ($32.8 million) and ahead of construction ($26.2 million), education services ($19.3 million), and utilities ($15.4 million).
Last month, the Arts Foundation held virtual discussions separately with Fernandes and Muratore and arts leaders and creatives in the district, which includes the towns of Bourne, Falmouth, Kingston, Pembroke, Plymouth, Sandwich, Mashpee, and Plympton. Republican candidate Kari MacRae of Bourne, who lost to Muratore in the state primary, did not attend due to a last-minute emergency.
Since November 2014, Muratore has served as the State Representative of the First Plymouth District. He currently serves on the Ways and Means Committee and was the ranking minority member of the Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development Committee in the House of Representatives.
He served on the Plymouth Select Board from 2010 to 2015 and was its Chair from 2012 to 2014.
He is a graduate of Northeastern University, where he earned a degree in business management. He began his career as a licensed nursing home administrator and is still a member of the Massachusetts Senior Care Association.
Over the past eight years, Fernandes has served as the State Representative for the Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket District. He currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources and sits on the Committee on Ways and Means; the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy; and the Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change.
Fernandes earned his bachelor’s degree with a double major in economics and political science from the College of Charleston, and a master’s in public administration from Harvard University. He was the first person that Governor Maura Healey hired for her 2014 campaign for Attorney General, later serving in the office after her successful election.
The general election is on Tuesday, November 5th. The deadline for voter registration is October 26th.
About the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod
Founded in 1987, the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod’s mission is to support and strengthen a vibrant arts and cultural sector for everyone in the region. It fulfills its mission by funding grants; by increasing access to arts and culture in the region for all on Cape Cod; by advocating for more awareness on the impact the Cape’s creative economy has on our region and beyond; and by building a strong arts community network through membership as well as professional development opportunities that fall under its Creative Exchange program.
