Acton-Boxborough Cultural Council
The Acton-Boxborough Cultural Council (ABCC) is a volunteer committee comprised of residents from both communities. Through our grant cycle we support local public programs that promote access, education, diversity and excellence in the arts. All of our meetings are open to the public.
Contact
Ben Davies
[email protected]
801-201-7885
https://www.actonboxboroughculturalcouncil.org/home
Address
29 Middle Rd
Boxborough, MA 01719-1402
Connect on Social
Facebook
Application Information
FY26 Allocation
$16,800
FY26 Local Priorities
Applications meeting the council guidelines will then be evaluated using all of the following criteria:
• New projects will get priority
• Must demonstrate benefit to Acton and/or Boxborough residents
• Collaboration between and among artist and local institutions
• Artistic excellence (as reflected in resumes, letters, press, videos, other qualifying materials)
• Diversity of age groups, cultural backgrounds and artistic disciplines
• Originality
• Feasibility-ability of the applicant to carry out the project as proposed or an alternative due to extreme circumstances (e.g., pandemic) or state/town restrictions
• Maximum community audience impact, including ratio of dollars spent to number served.
• Applicants should elaborate the details on how they advertise to reach intended groups through multi-channel advertising where applicable
All projects must follow state and local safety guidelines in effect at the time of submission-should those guidelines change projects must adapt.
Cultural council funds are not intended to substitute, replace, or relieve existing public funds for programs in the arts. Schools and libraries may only request funding for cultural enrichment activities that are led by outside artists, humanists or interpretive scientists. The cultural professional cannot be a current employee of the school system.
Projects for consideration must fall between July 1 of the current fiscal year and December 31st of the following year.
We acknowledge the impact of extreme circumstances (e.g., pandemic) on programming and encourage creative approaches for your projects.
Only arts organizations are eligible to request funds to support fundraising events. Council funds are not intended to be used as the sole funding source for artists or organizations with ongoing projects (e.g., annual concerts/art exhibits, etc.)
Costs for refreshments and travel to and from the event will not be funded.
Mass Cultural Council is dedicated to making its events and services inclusive and accessible to all.
FY26 Local Guidelines
Applications are initially screened using the following criteria: Project must include:
• Confirmed venue
• Performance/exhibit date
• Intended audience
For a live event: Application must include date and venue confirmation in the form of a letter or approved reservation from the venue host.
For a virtual event: Application must include date (or date range) and hosting and/or sponsor confirmation.
For in-person performances/exhibitions: Project must specify alternative plans in case the project cannot go on due to extreme circumstances (e.g., pandemic) or state/town restrictions.
If the event is taking place outside of Acton/Boxborough and you are not a resident of one of those towns, you must include a letter of support from an Acton/Boxborough resident with your grant application.
How Grant Recipients Are Paid
Reimbursement Grants
FY26 Funding List
| Name | Project Title | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ABCC Our World Film Series | ABCC Our World Film Series | $250 | Acton Community Center, Inc. | Child's Play at Theatre III | $700 | Acton Memorial Library | Haunted Library | $500 | Acton-Boxborough Community Compass, Inc. | Nourish: Feeding the Mind, Body, and Heart with Dayna Altman | $850 | Acton-Boxborough Regional High School | Orquesta de la Revolucion (Latin American and Caribbean Music Ensemble) | $850 | Bates III, Davis R. | Celebrating the Season: A Halloween Harvest | $550 | Boston Comic Arts Foundation, Limited | Kids Graphic Novel Festival Programming | $800 | Chen, Hudson | Inspiring Vitality: The Timeless Beauty of the Silk Road Art | $750 | Colonial Figure Skating Club, Inc., The | When Night Falls | $950 | Concord Band Association | Concord Bandemonium Nov 8, 2025 | $250 | Concord Conservatory of Music, Inc. | 2025-2026 CCM Concert & Speaker Series | $250 | Discovery Museum, Inc. | Open Door Connections | $600 | Gupta, Bindu | Dot Mandala | $650 | Hart, Francis | The "War Years - A Cultural Review of the 1940s Through Music | $400 | Kane, Timothy D. | Beginner Ukulele Master Classes | $550 | MUSIC Dance.edu | Hip Hop Popular Culture: Where's the Beef? Kendrick Lamar and Drake | $580 | Mankita, Jay | Chain Reactions & Creative Contraptions | $600 | Maynard Community Band | Maynard Community Band Free Summer Concerts | $223 | MetroWest Scottish Heritage Society, Inc. | Bonnie an' Braw Scottish Festival | $300 | Nashoba Valley Chorale | Nashoba Valley Chorale 50th Anniversary Concert | $300 | Open Door Theatre of Acton, Inc. | Honk! | $750 | Ostrow, Tonia | Hip Swayers Trio Concert | $630 | Paul P. Gates Elementary School | Ball in the House | $1,000 | Prakash, Deepika | Diwalifest 2026 | $1,400 | Roberge, Kelly | We Have Something To Say: A podcast where wildlife have a voice | $400 | Shalom-Kobii, Tal Shalom | Women Composers and Songwriters from around the globe | $750 | Sounds of Stow, Inc. | Sounds of Stow 2025-2026 Concert Season | $200 | Stepanek, Julie | Monthly Ukulele Program at the Acton Senior Center | $900 | Stoney, Kimberly | Printmaking with a Gelatin Plate | $317 | Tang, Hongbing | Lunar New Year Watercolor Workshop | $360 | The Concord Orchestra, Inc. | Far, Far Away | $250 | The Delvena Theatre Company, Inc. | Mangia, Meatballs and Murder! | $795 | The Harvard Town Band, Inc. | FreeBee Market Concert | $500 | Town of Boxborough | Morning Movement Series | $900 | Villani, Dan | CrossTracks band performance | $500 | Westford Chamber Players, Inc. | Mother’s Day Diversity Concert | $150 | Whitney, Sarah | Beyond the Notes | $225 | York, Matt | Matt York - Classic Country Revue | $500 | Zaino, Nick | 100 Years of Boston Comedy | $250 |