Organizations, schools, and individuals may apply for grants that support arts, humanities, and science programs in the community. These grants can be used support a variety of projects and activities within Westford – including exhibits, festivals, field trips, short-term artist residencies, or performances in schools, workshops, and lectures.
Donor Name: Mass Cultural Council
State: Massachusetts
Town: Westford
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/17/2022
Size of the Grant: $10,600
Details:
Westford Cultural Council promotes the availability of cultural experiences in Westford through the grant awarded by Massachusetts Cultural Council annually.
The Westford Cultural Council’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in the Westford community by supporting arts, humanities, and sciences programs held in Westford, and by Westford artists, arts organizations, schools, and community organizations.
2023 Local Priorities
The Westford Cultural Council (WCC) funding priority will be given to programs held in Westford, and by Westford artists, arts organizations, schools, and community organizations. Other programs which benefit the Westford community or Westford artists are also encouraged to apply. WCC funding priorities will go to projects which fit at least one of the descriptions below.
- Community wide gatherings: festivals, concerts, plays,
- Arts and music education in & outside the schools,
- Nature, science, and environmental educational projects,
- Projects & events celebrating local cultural diversity.
- The Council does not fully fund any programs. To demonstrate that your program is not dependent solely on Westford funding, you must specify other sources of financial support in the budget section of the application.
- There will be an optional presentation meeting for the grant applicants to further present their programs to the Council.
Funding Information
Grant amount: $10,600
Eligibility Criteria
- Types of grants. A Local Cultural Council may approve grants for a broad range of projects and programs, such as operating support, ticket subsidies, field trips, artist residencies, public art, fellowships, community events/programs, site specific projects, and other activities, based on local priorities. Each Local Cultural Council determines its own local eligibility requirements based on a community engagement process.
- Program eligibility. Applicants may apply for grants for programs that take place during an 18-month window of eligibility from July 1, preceding the application deadline in October, through December 31 of the following year. This means that applicants may apply for projects that have already happened or which happen prior to grant announcements, with the knowledge that funding is not guaranteed. Local Cultural Councils are authorized to establish a smaller window of eligibility; if they do so, they must publish the eligible dates in their council guidelines.
- Applicant eligibility. Applicants must reside or be located in Massachusetts. Local Cultural Councils may accept applications from anyone included in the following list:
- Individuals
- Incorporated private nonprofit organizations
- Unincorporated associations that can establish a nonprofit objective
- Public schools, libraries, other municipal agencies, and the Local Cultural Council itself
- Religious organizations.
2023 Local Guidelines
- Thank you for your interest in the cultural enrichment of the Westford community. The Council has prepared this document to assist you in completing your application and to explain this year’s grant review guidelines. Grant applications will be assessed and rated based on the following criteria:
- The program (or project) has a clear statement of purpose.
- The program clearly indicates viability for successful implementation.
- The program takes place in Westford and/or benefits residents from Westford.
- The program is scheduled to take place during the 18 month period between July 1st preceding the application deadline and December 31st of the following year. (18 months later). Applicants that request funding for a project occurring before the local cultural council holds its voting meeting will not know the outcome of their grant application until after their project begins.
- The program benefits a large number of people in the community, or an underserved segment of the population.
- Programs that are repeated requests will be carefully scrutinized. Such proposals should show other sources of support to show the project is not solely dependent on council funding.
- All grants will be reviewed and awarded following the criteria outlined above; no applications will be excluded from consideration.
For more information, visit MCC.
