Melrose Cultural Council

The Melrose Cultural Council is committed to supporting programs with public benefit that promote excellence, education, cultural diversity, inclusion, and racial equity to foster a rich and vibrant cultural life in Melrose. Priority is given to applications from Melrose organizations, individuals, and organizers. We encourage and wish to support programs across all arts disciplines, including the visual arts, music, humanities, drama, public art, murals, installations, and interpretive sciences. We encourage first time applicants. Requests for feedback are welcome before applying. Melrose Cultural Council will also entertain funding proposals from schools and youth groups. Our goal is to provide financial support to a variety of projects that collectively appeal to the diverse population and cultures of our community reaching adults of all ages, youth, children, families and seniors. The Melrose Cultural Council welcomes applications from a variety of identities inclusive of race, gender expression, gender identity, sexual identity, ability, religion, age, education, national origin, citizenship, and ethnicity.

Contact

Sarah Bolha
melrosecultural@gmail.com
781-979-4440
https://melroseculture.org/

Address
562 Main Street
Melrose, MA 02176-3113

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Application Information

FY26 Allocation

$16,800

FY26 Local Priorities

Applicants must present their events and programming during the upcoming calendar year (January 1-December 31, 2026) at a local ADA-compliant venue. Applicants are urged to closely read and follow the LCC Program eligibility guidelines and local priorities available on the Massachusetts Cultural Council website. As in our most recent grant cycle, the MCC may now fully fund approved projects, eliminating the need for applicants to seek additional sources of funding. We do not accept requests for capital expenditures, individual scholarships, or multi-year repeating programs. First-time applicants are encouraged to submit a proposal. Prospective applicants are welcome to contact the MCC to ask questions or to receive feedback on proposals before submitting. Grants are competitive, and not all requests are awarded or fully funded. In 2025, 32 grants were awarded, ranging from $300 to $3,000. In total, nearly $38,000 was disbursed to 2025 grant recipients.

FY26 Local Guidelines

Our 2026 priorities are informed by a recent community outreach survey. We are actively encouraging applications that address inclusion, diversity, and equity. Priority will be given to projects that build community through social connections and dialogue. We hope to elevate the voices and experiences of historically underrepresented groups that reflect and highlight the current and historic diversity of Melrose residents in an authentic way, through arts and culture. Projects that speak to the experience of Massachusetts artists and audiences who identify as BIPOC, Latinx, LGBTQIA, immigrant, or live with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Proposals for innovative ideas, collaborations, and new initiatives that produce free public events and activities in outdoor spaces are favorably welcomed.

How Grant Recipients Are Paid

Direct Grants

FY26 Funding List

A grant list will be published here after January 17, 2026 and once the Local Cultural Council has finalized their decisions.