Medford Arts Council works to bring high-quality cultural programming to the community, increase public access to Medford’s many cultural assets, and promote favorable conditions for its creative economy.
Donor Name: Mass Cultural Council
State: Massachusetts
City: Medford
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/17/2022
Size of the Grant: $35,100
Details:
On an annual cycle they offer grants to artists, writers, performers, instructors, and cultural organizations seeking to engage the Medford public. They also help sponsor new public arts and humanities initiatives in Medford.
The funds they distribute are an annual allocation from the Massachusetts Cultural Council through their Local Cultural Council program. The Council also receives funding from the City of Medford.
The Council funds public events like the Arts Across Medford festival, Circle the Square, and West Medford Open Studios, as well as dozens of concerts, classes, field trips, performances, and other activities in disciplines including dance, theater, music, science, history, literature, craft and design, and the visual arts.
Priorities
- Cultural Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Projects that elevate the voices and experiences of historically marginalized groups to highlight the current and historical diversity of Medford. Projects that create opportunities for artists and community members who identify as Black, Indigenous, POC, LGBTQX, refugee, immigrant, senior, or person living with a disability. Projects that are age-inclusive or multi-generational. Such projects may include coalition building, research, leadership and youth development with a focus on arts and culture.
- Public art: Temporary or permanent art — performing or visual, 2D or 3D, outdoor or indoor, physical or virtual — to be exhibited in public, open spaces in Medford, such as a park, municipal building, or neighborhood square. They will pay attention to the particular qualities of a proposed site and how the project’s design fits in the site, and they encourage projects that are participatory and accessible for all potential audiences. The project should seek to create a memorable experience for the public.
- Projects that seek to enhance the vitality of Medford’s squares and business districts (for example, Medford Square, Haines Square, South Medford, Hillside, West Medford, Wellington, Station Landing, etc.) with cultural activities or displays that rely on visitors’ casual discovery or purposeful attendance.
- Projects involving partnerships or collaborations among individuals or organizations. They are especially interested in deeply collaborative processes that fully involve the talents, skills, and resources of multiple contributors and include different perspectives within the community.
- Projects in the humanities (literature, history, etc.) or science and technology (natural resources, environmental issues, STEAM, etc.), especially if they focus on Medford-related topics or themes, and/or use local resources or talent. Priority may be given to approaches that show innovation in audience participation, content development, or use of materials. Projects that combine the humanities and interpretive sciences are especially welcome.
Funding Information
- Amount: $35,100
For more information, visit Mass Cultural Council.
