Medford Arts Council Seeks Grant Applicants
The McGlynn Middle School, pictured at right, was awarded several grants in 2009 for arts-related field trips from the Medford Arts Council. Several Medford schools and other applicants were also awarded funding for a variety of programs.
Proposals for Community-oriented Arts, Humanities, Science Projects Due October 15
The following is an announcement from the Medford Arts Council:
The Medford Arts Council has set an October 15, 2009 postmark deadline for organizations, schools and individuals to apply for grants that support cultural activities in the community.
These grants can support a variety of artistic projects and activities in Medford — including exhibits, festivals, short-term artist residencies or performances in schools, workshops and lectures.
The Medford Arts Council will also entertain funding proposals from schools and youth groups through the PASS Program, which provides subsidies for school-age children to attend cultural field trips.
The Medford Arts Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The LCC Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences and humanities every year. The state legislature provides an annual appropriation to the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, which then allocates funds to each community.
This year, the Medford Arts Council will distribute about $16,000 in grants. Previously funded projects include the Community Gospel Choir’s Black History Month concert, the Medford Public Library’s Community Read, West Medford Open Studios, the Medford Historical Society’s Public Programming and Outreach, the Columbus School’s Summer Gardening Program, and more.
For specific guidelines and information, as well as a list of previously funded projects, visit our Web site at www.medfordartscouncil.org.
Application forms and more information about the Local Cultural Council Program are available online at www.mass-culture.org/lcc_public.asp. Application forms are also available at the Medford Public Library.
About the Medford Arts Council
The Medford Arts Council is a city-appointed agency of volunteers working to promote excellence, access, education, and diversity in the arts and humanities in order to improve the quality of life for all Medford citizens and foster a sense of community.
The Council administers the distribution of funds from the Massachusetts Cultural Council in the form of grants to individuals, schools and non-profit organizations. The Council funds high-profile public events like the West Medford Open Studios, the Community Read, and the Medford Arts Festival, as well as dozens of concerts, classes, field trips, performances, and other activities in disciplines including dance, theater, music, science, history, archaeology, and the visual arts.
Council meetings are held at Medford City Hall on selected Monday nights at 7 p.m. and are open to the public. Check the Council’s Web site at www.medfordartscouncil.org for a full schedule of upcoming meetings. Grant applications for the 2009 funding cycle are due on October 15, 2009.
Current Medford Arts Council members:
Maria Daniels (chair)
Michael Bernstein
Peter Houk
Alexa Mase
Sandie Shaheen
Will Tenney
Joe Walters
Contact:
Medford Arts Council
P.O. Box 615
Medford, MA 02155
chair@medfordartscouncil.org
www.medfordartscouncil.org
Rep. Garballey: $25,410 in State Grants to go to Cultural Groups in Medford, Arlington
In other Medford Arts Council related news, State Representative Sean Garballey (D-Arlington, Medford) has announced that grants totaling $25,410 have been awarded to cultural organizations in his district by the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC). Garballey said that these grants support a variety of cultural activities that benefit local residents. The announcement was made as part of a statewide funding program by the MCC.
Local recipients awarded grants included the Arlington Cultural Council and Medford Arts Council. The local groups receive funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) and disperse the funds allocated by the MCC to successful grant applicants.
“The programs supported by these grants provide our communities with a vibrant culture of diverse arts, humanities that contribute to the overall well-being of Arlington and Medford,†Rep. Garballey said.