'Opportunity to share their passion': Cultural councils seek projects in Ashburnham, Gardner
The call is going out in Greater Gardner for ideas for projects that will enrich and entertain the community.
Members of the Ashburnham Cultural Council and the Gardner Cultural Council are looking for community-oriented project ideas from individuals, groups, organizations and schools who wish to provide arts, humanities, and interpretative science programs for the town.
“We aim to fund projects that provide access to artistic and cultural experiences, workshops, and programs for the greater Ashburnham community,” explained Rebecca Cinclair, chair of the cultural council. “We love to showcase local artists whenever possible, as well as bring in visiting artists from the broader New England arts community.”
What is the Ashburnham Cultural Council looking for
The Ashburnham council plans to distribute approximately $7,300 in project grants, said Cinclair. The money can be used for a variety of projects and activities in Ashburnham, including exhibits, festivals, short-term artist residencies, workshops, lectures and live performances.
“Past projects have highlighted the diverse talents that exist in our small town and have given artists the opportunity to share their passion with others,” Cinclair said. “(These) grants provide access to art and culture for those who may not be able to travel to Worcester or Boston.”
Types of projects that received money in the past included the Celebrate Ashburnham Street Fair, cultural programs in Ashburnham-Westminster Regional District schools, and various programs at the Stevens Memorial Library, the New Dawn Arts Center, and the Senior Center.
What is the Gardner Cultural Council looking for
The Gardner Cultural Council is planning on distributing about $28,000 in grants to fund artistic projects and activities in the Chair City, according to Jessica DeRoy, the city’s economic development coordinator.
In the past, the group has given money for the annual festivals by the Gardner Area League of Artists, musical performances at the Gardner Senior Center, and programs at the Levi Heywood Library, according to DeRoy.
Projects were funded for a variety of reasons, including their benefit to the community, relevance to current events, size and age range of intended audiences, and originality, according to officials.
What are cultural councils in Massachusetts?
Both the Ashburnham and Gardner councils are part of a network of 329 local cultural councils serving all 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts. The project, which includes the Mass Cultural Council (MCC), 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 MCC will invest $5.5 million into the LCC program and fund around 8,000 public projects in FY 2024, according to officials.
How to apply for money from a cultural council
The deadline to submit an application is Oct. 17.
Application forms and more information about the Local Cultural Council Program are available online at www.massculturalcouncil.org.
“The website not only provides a list of the many state grants available and guidance on applying for grants, it also includes information on cultural opportunities across the state, job listings, artist space resources, and artist galleries,” said Cinclair.
This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Gardner, Ashburnham cultural councils seek projects: What they pay for
