The Worcester Arts Council (WAC) is seeking applications to promote excellence, access, education and diversity in the arts, humanities, and sciences to improve the quality of life for Worcester residents and contribute to the economic vitality of city.
Donor Name: Worcester Arts Council (WAC)
State: Massachusetts
County: Worcester County (MA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/16/2024
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Grants are issued to support arts, humanities, interpretive sciences, visual artists, performing artists, science educators, historians and other humanists; as well as community, business and civic groups, social service organizations, schools, neighborhood centers and youth, senior and family associations.
Priorities
While all projects in the arts, humanities, and sciences will be considered, based on community input gathered in 2024, WAC will give preference to grant applications that align with the following Funding Priorities for FY25:
- Project Categories | Projects that focus on Public Art, Musical Performances, Arts Education & Instruction, and programs for all age groups from children to seniors.
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Access (DEIA) | Projects that elevate the voices and experiences of historically marginalized groups to highlight the current and historical diversity of Worcester. Projects should create opportunities for artists and community members through a DEIA lens.
- Locations | Projects that take place in or benefit areas of Worcester that are historically underserved.
Types of Grants
- Fellowship Grants: Assist individuals in developing their work outside the structure of a specific project or presentation. Artists in any discipline may apply. All Fellowship applicants must maintain a residential, commercial or studio address in the city of Worcester.
- Project Grants: Assist in the development of projects and programs in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences. Applicants must demonstrate a tangible benefit to Worcester citizens. All grant applicants must maintain a residential, commercial or studio address in Worcester County. All WAC-funded projects must occur within the City of Worcester.
Funding Information
Funding Information
- Project Grants: Awards have historically ranged from several hundred dollars up to $5,000.
- Fellowship Grants: WAC typically awards a minimum of two Fellowships in the amount of $5,000 each year.
Eligibility Criteria
Project Grants Who is Eligible to Apply
- Individuals, artists, artist groups, arts and cultural organizations, community organizations, nonprofit organizations, associations that can establish a nonprofit objective, public schools, libraries, and other municipal agencies are eligible to apply. Organizations and fiscal agents must have tax exempt status under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- Project grant applicants must maintain a residential, commercial, or studio address in Worcester County. Post Office boxes do not meet this requirement and are not allowed. Commercial address refers to a business the applicant owns; an address at a place of work does not meet this requirement. Project Grant Requirements
- Applications must demonstrate a tangible benefit to Worcester citizens.
- All projects must occur within the city of Worcester within the 2025 calendar year.
- Applicants may request funds for field trips for groups of children (grades pre-K through 12) affiliated with schools (public, nonprofit, religious, and home schools), afterschool and out of school programs, neighborhood/community centers, or civic organizations located in the city of Worcester. Field trips may be to destinations in or outside of the city of Worcester but must originate in Worcester. Approved expenses include transportation costs and admission for students and chaperones, at a ratio of 1 chaperone per 10 students. Meals will not be covered. The trip must also satisfy MCC guidelines.
- Applicants may request funds to cover costs related to operating support and/or virtual programming.
- For projects that have been funded previously, adding new elements to the project is encouraged.
Fellowship Eligibility Requirements
- Artists in any creative discipline are eligible
- Applicants must maintain a residential, commercial, or studio address in the city of Worcester. Post office boxes do not meet this requirement and are not allowed. Commercial address refers to a business the applicant owns; an address at a place of work does not meet this requirement.
- Preference is given to applicants who have not previously been awarded a WAC Fellowship.
- FY24 Fellows are not eligible to receive a Fellowship in FY25.
- WAC FY25 Fellows must have a presentation or exhibition during 2025 (the grant year in which they receive an award). In-person presentations/exhibitions must take place in the city of Worcester to meet this requirement. Virtual presentations or exhibitions are also acceptable. Fellows are not obligated to use their Fellowship award to fund this requirement.
- City of Worcester employees are not eligible for a WAC Fellowship. As with Project Grants, even if the grant funding would be used to pay the municipal employee for services outside the scope of their role with the City of Worcester, WAC funds cannot be used to pay salaries/stipends to City of Worcester employees, including police, teachers, board members, temporary or contract employees, and City staff members.
For more information, visit WAC.
