Mass Cultural Council Awards $4.35 Million in Grants to 329 Local Councils

In full transparency, portions of this release are from a state press release.

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BOSTON – The Mass Cultural Council awarded $4.35 million in Fiscal year 2021 to its 329 local cultural councils (LCC).

The local cultural councils approved 5,900 grants this year for community-based projects in the arts, humanities, and sciences, including everything from murals to lectures, festivals, and performances.

Because the Fiscal Year 2021 grant cycle took place amidst the pandemic, the LCC Program deadline was extended to allow applicants more time to assess their needs and apply for funds. The deadline extension also gave LCCs the opportunity to prepare for application review under new guidelines and municipal protocols put into place due to COVID-19.

The LCCs weathered the storm and came together to complete their grant cycle and award 5,900 grants totaling $5.9 million – $4.35 million from Mass Cultural Council allocations and $1.55 million from monies raised locally. Through their efforts, new, local cultural programming will once again be available to every city and town in the Commonwealth.

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A few examples of how LCCs responded to the FY21 grant cycle and COVID-19:

• Mass Cultural Council’s Communities Initiative team members worked closely with LCCs to prepare and execute the new guidelines and grant cycle shift in timing. New guidelines provided a road map for LCCs to hold grant meetings and distribute their allocations safely.
• Some LCCs took on Council Programs to provide new cultural offerings they felt were needed in their communities. Others created artist relief funds.
• LCCs granted extensions and modifications on FY20 projects so that grantees would be able to complete their programs when it was safe to do so.

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In MetroWest, the following received grants:

Ashland Cultural Council – $7,700

Framingham Cultural Council – $33,800

Holliston – $6,800

Hopkinton – $6,600

Marlborough – $17.300

Natick – $11,000

Sherborn – $4900

Southborough – $5,400

Sudbury – $6,500

Wayland – $5,700