Berlin Cultural Council
The purpose of the Berlin Cultural Council is to provide and maintain the vitality of local cultural resources and to insure these resources are shared within the Berlin community. The Council is committed to funding a diverse cross-section of activities. We support a broad variety of art forms, the ongoing work of individual artists, environmental education projects, collaborative proposals that bring together artists and other types of organizations, local cultural groups and projects that serve specific populations – youth, elders, low-income, disabled.
Contact
[email protected]
978-838-0150
https://massculturalcouncil.org/local-council/berlin/
Address
Berlin Town Offices
23 Linden Street
Berlin, MA 01503-1669
Application Information
FY26 Allocation
$5,700
FY26 Local Priorities
I. Program Purpose and Review Criteria
The purpose of the Berlin Cultural Council is to provide and maintain the vitality of local cultural resources and to ensure these resources are shared within the Berlin community. The Council is committed to funding a diverse cross-section of activities. We support a broad variety of art forms, the ongoing work of individual artists, environmental education projects, collaborative proposals that bring together artists and other types of organizations, local cultural groups and projects that serve specific populations — youth, elders, low-income, disabled.
BCC Local Guidelines and Instructions
II. Application Process
Applications must be completed using the MCC online application by October 16, 2025. No mailed-in paper applications will be considered.
All supporting documents may be uploaded as PDFs. These include resumes, brochures, letters of reference/support, samples of work, etc.
III. Funding
Payments are made on a reimbursement basis only. Reimbursements generally take 4 to 6 weeks. Applicants can find the reimbursement form at:
https://massculturalcouncil.org/documents/lccreim.pdf
Projects and payment requests must be completed within a year of the final award notification. With permission of the Berlin Cultural Council, progress or interim payments may be requested for the portion of the project that has been carried out. Final reimbursement will not be made until the project is completed. The Berlin Cultural Council appreciates being notified before the commencement of funded projects.
Due to the limited funds available and the high demand for support, the Berlin Cultural Council often awards smaller amounts than requested and asks that applicants find matching funds or scale back their projects. Awards typically range from $250 to $1,000. A few larger awards are given from time to time. In cases where a project is partially funded, the Council may request an explanation of how the project will be modified. Requests for extensions beyond the grant period will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must be submitted in writing no later than one year from the approval letter date. The Council will review and vote on the request and notify applicants in writing of its decision.
IV. Acknowledgment
In all published materials and announcements regarding the activities supported by Berlin Cultural Council funds, the sponsoring group or individual must acknowledge this support with a written and/or verbal credit statement or by using the Mass Cultural Council logo. The credit statement is “This program is supported in part by a grant from the Berlin Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.”
The logo is available online at: https://massculturalcouncil.org/about/contracts/credit-logos/
FY26 Local Guidelines
The purpose of the Berlin Cultural Council is to provide and maintain the vitality of local cultural resources in the Berlin community.
The council is committed to funding a broad variety of programs that bring the arts, culture and education to all of those in our community.
Applicants that plan on holding a program in Berlin must already have a sponsor, venue, and performance date secured in order to be considered for a grant.
Applications must be completed using the MCC online application by October 16, 2025. No mailed-in paper applications will be considered.
All supporting documents may be uploaded as PDFs. These include resumes, brochures, letters of reference/support, samples of work, etc.
Due to limited funds and high demand for our support, the Berlin Cultural Council may award smaller amounts than requested and recommends that applicants find matching funds.
Owing to the nature of the population we serve, preference may be given to projects that occur in-person over those delivered remotely. Furthermore, projects in Berlin itself and communities close by will be prioritized over those at a greater distance.
All published material and announcements regarding programs supported by the Berlin Cultural Council must include the credit statement “This program was supported in part by a grant from the Berlin Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.” and the MCC logo found on the MCC website.
Please contact the Berlin Cultural Council with any questions via e-mail: [email protected]
How Grant Recipients Are Paid
Reimbursement Grants
FY26 Funding List
| Name | Project Title | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Berlin Council on Aging | Ed the Wizard | $350 | Berlin Public Library | Wicked Good Henna- Henna At The Library | $300 | Berlin Public Library | Animal Adventures Summer Reading Kickoff | $325 | Berlin Public Library | Fused Glass Suncatchers | $400 | Berlin Public Library | Magical Winter Lights | $300 | Berlin Public Library | Mass Capoeira Workshop and Performance | $450 | Berlin Senior Citizens Association | St. Patrick's Day Celebration | $275 | Berlin Senior Citizens Association | "The Fourth of July" Then & Now with Terry Ingano | $300 | Berlin Senior Citizens Association | the Trial of Lizzie Borden : Whacks and Hacks | $400 | Charles, Meredith | Adult Improv Workshops | $300 | Keezing, Jonathan A. | Classic Songs | $300 | Kirouac, Daniel | The Music of McCartney: The World's Most Successful Songwriter | $275 | LINK Incorporated | Cardboard Explosion | $800 | Nashoba Neighbors, Inc. | Nashoba Neighbors Speaker Series | $400 | Nashoba Symphonic Band | Nashoba Symphonic Band | $300 | Northborough Area Community Chorus, Inc. | Spring 2026 Concert "A Patriotic Celebration" and Social Singing at 19 Carter | $500 | Old Methodist Episcopal Church of Berlin, Inc. (OMEC) | Summer Outdoor Concert Series | $800 | Worcester Writers' Collective | Worcester Writers' Collective Stories from the Stage | $450 |