Carlisle Cultural Council
The Carlisle Cultural Council is a volunteer group of Carlisle residents interested in the arts and humanities who support local cultural initiatives and vote on local grant applications. Our goal is to serve our community by supporting and producing both participatory and audience-based cultural and arts activities that benefit local residents.
To better understand the cultural needs of our community, the Council sponsors a town-wide survey at least every 3 years. In May/June 2023, 90 people completed our online survey. Here are some highlights:
—Respondent Profile:
Nearly 88% have lived in town for 3+ years; 51% for 20+ years; about a third have children at home; About 18% did not attend cultural events in Carlisle in the past year; about 37% stated they attended 4 or more cultural events in Carlisle in the past year
—Programming reach:
Strong interest (48- 78%) in reaching every age group, except preschool. Programs that reach adults and seniors were supported by greater than 72% of responses
—Event types with the most interest (multiple responses allowed):
Music concerts (80%); Community-wide gatherings/festivals (77%); Nature (60%); Visual arts (60%); Theater (57%). A specific question about a First Night event was supported by only 22% of respondents.
—Publicity: Residents learn about cultural events primarily from the Carlisle Mosquito (92%), followed by word of mouth (>50%), City In The Woods and the Gleason Library newsletter (both approx. 46%)
—Music preference (multiple responses allowed):
The most popular category was Folk (68%), followed by Classical (66%), Rock/R&B/Blues (52%), Jazz (47%)
—Awareness of Cultural Council grants:
56% knew that organizations can apply for grants from the Carlisle Cultural Council
Contact
Debbie Bentley, Chair
[email protected]
978-369-6136
https://www.carlislema.gov/170/Cultural-Council
Address
66 Westford Street
Carlisle, MA 01741-1582
Connect on Social
Facebook
Instagram
Application Information
FY27 details to come.
FY26 Funding List
| Name | Project Title | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bishop, Liz | Emerging Voices: An Evening of Short Film | $250 | Carlisle Chamber Orchestra | Holiday Concert | $500 | Carlisle Council on Aging and Human Services | Outdoor Summer Evening Lawn Concert | $500 | Carlisle Council on Aging and Human Services | Threads of Pride Quilt Collective | $500 | Carlisle Environmental Sustainability Committee | 2026 Carlisle Route to Sustainability Day | $500 | Carlisle Farmers Market | Carlisle Farmers Market | $500 | Carlisle Garden Club, Inc. | Spring on the Wing: A Seed Giveaway, Gardening and Environmental Education Event | $300 | Carlisle Public Schools | CPS Drama Club: Creating Community Through Theater | $500 | Carlisle Race Amity Day Committee | Carlisle Race Amity Day Potluck Picnic | $500 | Gleason Public Library | Carlisle Pride Festival | $500 | Goel, Shilpa | Carlisle Diwali | $500 | Ketchen, Anne | Carlisle Contra Dance | $500 | The Savoyard Light Opera Company, Inc. | How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying Musical | $500 | Valles, Marcos | Music and Movement with Rockabye Beats | $450 |