WORCESTER, Mass. - Local lawmakers joined artists in Worcester Friday in an effort to grow local art and community engagement.

The MASSCreative Action Network, a Boston-based arts nonprofit, held a press conference at Rockland Trust Plaza discuss the PLACE Act. It's a pending piece of legislation designed to ensure local art has a place in the Commonwealth.

If passed, the act would include a fund used to create and maintain public art in communities across the state.

“The fact of the matter is we notice when our spaces are full with color and filled with shape and space and art,” said Emily Ruddock, executive director for MASSCreative. “We feel better about ourselves, we feel more seen, we feel more connected. But it’s easy to take that for granted and think that somebody else or some other group will make sure that continues.”

A hearing to discuss the PLACE Act is set for Monday with the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development at the State House.