Belmont Cultural Council
Is should be noted that due to the unpredictability of the COVID-19 situation, all aspects of our grants may be affected.
The Belmont Cultural Council consists of volunteers appointed by the Selectmen to support community-based projects in the arts, humanities, and sciences annually. Disciplines include public art (Belmont Art Association Transformer Project,) all-town festivals (including Porchfest), music (in 2018 Cellist Mike Block at the Public Library and Ayla Brown at Payson Park Music Festival), dance (Classical Kathak Indian Dance children’s show at the Beech St Center), theater, (Stage Ensemble Theater Unit at Belmont’s Town Theater, Science (Mass Audubon Habitat’s events at the Belmont Farmer’s Market) and more! New members are welcome!
A key component is that any program must have a public benefit to the residents of Belmont – for schools, local organizations or Belmont resident individuals. Recipients of Massachusetts Cultural Council grants in Belmont have included the Belmont Gallery of Art, public and private schools, the Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, the Belmont Public Library and the Belmont Council on Aging. Recipients have created paintings, murals, sculptures, exhibits, musical programs and workshops, nature lectures and hands-on programs, all of which enrich the lives of the people who live and work in Belmont.
Belmont is part of a direct payment program – approved grantees will receive their funding up front and not on a reimbursement basis. Instead, a final report will be necessary. Detailed information and forms will be supplied in the award announcement which comes in early January. Funds must be spent within the calendar year after the award letter date.
The state agency has a variety of initiatives which our local council volunteers can help educate and advise applicants about. Most awards are only a portion of the applied amount thus applicants need to consider other sources of funding as well. New initiatives are considered and supported by an active volunteer base.
Contact
Vicki Amalfitano, Chair
belmontculturalcouncil@yahoo.com
617-224-2034
Address
455 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478-2573
Connect on Social
Facebook
Application Information
FY26 Allocation
$9,100
FY26 Local Priorities
Council Priorities
The Belmont Cultural Council prioritizes funding applicants from Belmont and cultural events and activities that benefit the Belmont public. Cultural events and projects are defined broadly and include arts, lectures, performances, interpretive science, and humanities.
Our July-August 2025 Community Input Survey indicated that town residents have the greatest preference for community-wide gatherings (festivals, farmers’ market activities), the performing arts (concerts and plays). The next tier of priorities are the visual arts (exhibits and education), programs and events in Belmont schools, nature/science/environmental education programs, and programs celebrating cultural diversity. These were followed by programs at Belmont schools.
A significant number of comments in this year’s survey mentioned the need for public art, and for programs across cultures that promote community cohesion. The population segments of highest importance were families, seniors, and teens, followed by low-income populations, communities of color, and immigrant communities.
Priority is given to events that occur in Belmont, and events that are in collaboration with Belmont-based non-profit organizations. Applicants based outside of Belmont are required to secure the sponsorship of a Belmont public or non-profit organization and to include a sponsorship letter endorsing the project which must be attached to the online application as a PDF file. The Council places a priority on programs that occur after January of the grant cycle, i.e., January 2026 through December 2026, for the upcoming cycle.
All grant recipients are expected to present a publicity plan as part of their application. Online applications for grants are required. Funds for food or drink or field trips will not be awarded grants.
FY26 Local Guidelines
Council Guidelines
The application form should be completed online at the Mass Cultural Council website. You will be able to attach supporting materials, such as resume(s) of key personnel, organizational brochures, letters of support/commitment, artist samples (video, slides, writings, portfolio, etc.). Please answer questions as clearly, simply, and completely as space allows.
Describe the project and any collaborators and address the review criteria. The budget is divided into Projected Expenses and Projected Income. Please include all sources and uses of funds, including the amount in your application, and your budget should not show a deficit. You can include in-kind donations – that is, services, materials or facilities which are provided at no cash cost to you. You may not request grant money for consumables, such as food or drink.
How Grant Recipients Are Paid
Direct Grants
FY25 Funding List
| Name | Project Title | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bartevyan, Tanya | Music of Florence Price and Dianne Rahbee - identity and belonging | $750 | Belmont Art Association | Transforming Belmont 2025 | $1,400 | Belmont Celebrates AAPI Heritage Volunteers | Belmont Celebrates AAPI Heritage Month, 2025 | $700 | Belmont Community Chorus | Belmont Community Chorus | $750 | Belmont Porchfest, Inc. | Belmont Porchfest | $1,800 | Belmont World Film, Inc. | Belmont World Film's 22nd Family Festival | $500 | Boykan, Deborah | Influence of African American and Native American Folk music on Antonin Dvorak and other European and American "Art Music." | $500 | Klein, Ellery | Community Irish Céilí, presented in collaboration with Powers Music School | $700 | New Moon International Media, Inc. | 2025 Boston International Asian Music Festival---Belmont | $800 | Payson Park Music Festival Association | Payson Park Music Festival. Reminnisants | $1,200 |
Review Complete LCC Program Guidelines
