MA Cultural Council Awards $20K Grant to Medford Arts Council

Medford State Representatives Christine Barber, Sean Garballey, and Paul Donato and State Senator Patricia Jehlen announced today that the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) has awarded $20,800 to the Medford Arts Council.

This funding will support a broad range of cultural activities and will support jobs in the nonprofit cultural sector. Appropriated as a part of MCC’s statewide funding program, this grant ensures cultural programs in Medford will continue to thrive and benefit both residents and visitors. MCC awarded $3 million in total to 329 total local cultural councils, a group which makes up the largest public grassroots arts network in the nation.

“The Massachusetts Cultural Council does great work to sustain and support local arts initiatives throughout the Commonwealth. I was glad to support a $2 million increase to the MCC’s state funding in the FY2016 budget,” said Rep. Christine Barber. “The Medford Arts Council invests in public art expression and innovation in the community, and makes possible great events like Circle the Square. I look forward to seeing and enjoying the projects that come out of this year’s grant.”

“In Medford, residents of all ages engage in the arts and enhance the community through the available creative outlets,” said Sen. Pat Jehlen. “These grants provided by the MCC will allow the city’s cultural resources to continue to grow and benefit the community.”

“I have always believed that the arts are an important cornerstone of a community. They help to promote cultural diversity, tolerance, and freedom of expression. The arts build social capital and connect people from different walks of life. It is a language all people understand. In addition, the arts help to economically benefit a community. The arts help to improve the quality of life for all in our community,” said Medford Mayor, Michael J. McGlynn.

A city-appointed agency of volunteers, the Medford Arts Council works to support the arts, humanities and creative economy in Medford. The council awarded $30,300 in grants for projects in 2015, including $2,000 for the Medford Multi-Media Cultural Exchange hosted by the Medford Council on Aging and $1,500 to support West Medford Open Studios.

“These grants help to enrich our community, and I am proud to continue to support these important programs,” said Rep. Paul J. Donato.

“I am proud to have joined my colleagues in supporting this vital budget increase for the Massachusetts Cultural Council. This funding ensures that our local artist community can continue to thrive and expand Medford’s cultural enrichment,” said Rep. Sean Garballey.

“Combined with the generous funding we received from the City of Medford, our allocation from the MCC helps us to support many vital community programs and to invest in new kinds of public projects,” said Gary Roberts, Chair of the Medford Arts Council. “We’re really looking forward to reviewing this year’s applications for grants that will bring a variety of wonderful cultural activities and experiences to Medford.”

This year the council celebrates its 35th anniversary as an organization in Medford, and has begun seeking grant applications for public arts, humanities, and interpretive science projects to be carried out in 2016. The grant application deadline is October 15th.

– Submitted by State Rep. Christine Barber’s office