Norton Cultural Council
Our mission: To help Norton residents and communities build meaningful connections through culture, the arts, and interpretive sciences.
The Norton Cultural Council (NCC) is a volunteer organization supporting the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences in the community. We achieve this in many ways, including the annual funding of programs and initiatives that nurture positive opportunities for expression and participation. The NCC also provides general support to local projects and cultural programming. All of these efforts maximize benefits for Norton citizens by giving access to a diverse range of cultural programs that serve our variety of populations.
As a member of the Local Cultural Council network, we at the NCC are excited to have access to a pool of funds that support community efforts that align with our vision and values. The annual grant cycle gives the public an opportunity to apply for those funds and we look forward to your application. Each year we are consistently amazed and inspired by the talented people and organizations applying for funding.
We are looking for volunteers!
The Norton Cultural Council has openings. Being a member is deeply rewarding and can provide opportunities to grow and develop, both personally and professionally. If you are interested in serving the community and learning more about the vibrant town we live in, a place on the Council could be an excellent possibility for you.
Interested in joining the Council? Please email us here
We encourage community input!
Have ideas for future programming? Complete our survey
Contact
Catherine Headen, Chair
nortonmacc@gmail.com
508-285-0200
Address
72 East Main Street
Norton, MA 02766-2320
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Application Information
FY25 Allocation
$14,200
FY25 Local Priorities
We believe arts and culture significantly contribute to the economic and social wellness of our town. We value community connections and aim to make sure residents build relationships with one another and find resources to live fulfilled lives. We will continue to build upon the network that provides residents and organizations with access to information from the municipal, state, and federal levels.
The Council prioritizes programming that intersects with broader community themes, initiatives, or events as they arise in a given year. The Council does consider partial funding in order to support as many worthwhile projects/programs as possible. Historically our typical project awards were from $100-$700. In 2025, our minimum project award will be $250.
For FY25, we are particularly interested in projects that address any of the following:
• Of particular benefit to Norton residents either as participants, audience members, or programming hosts or coordinators. For context, in 2024 all funded projects either occurred in Norton or were provided by Norton residents.
• Increase access to arts, culture, and interpretive sciences to elementary and middle school-aged populations.
• Help to define what makes Norton special.
• Celebrate green spaces or take place in community-accessible outdoor areas.
• Build connections between people.
• Are adaptable to virtual platforms.
• Reflect a spirit of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Provides a unique experience or varied theme that has not been performed or offered to residents in the prior fiscal year.
FY25 Local Guidelines
General Application Requirements
Applications must:
• Be complete and written clearly.
• Have access to an active email address that is monitored.
• Provide clear benefit for Norton residents.
• Offer an activity, event, or piece concerning culture, the arts, or interpretive sciences.
• Be able to fulfill the reimbursement guidelines successfully.
Application requirements for events and performances:
• Programs must take place in a local venue; preference will be given to projects with a scheduled date included at the time of application.
• A letter of support from the venue is strongly encouraged.
• Venues must be fully accessible to all visitors in person. Preference will be given to projects that can adhere to remote participation (except where prohibited or excluded by terms and conditions).
Additional application requirements for public art installations:
• Sculptor, artist, or group must have a proven track record (including past completed or installed works) and portfolio.
• Sculptor, artist, or group needs to be local (based in New England with a preference for residents and college students of Norton and adjoining towns).
• Piece must be publicly accessible to persons of all abilities onsite and/or virtually.
• Must include clearly detailed plans for how to engage the local community (Norton and adjoining towns) in the artwork selection process.
• Location of artwork must be included in the application.
• Documentation of approval from the site administrator or owner.
• Artist and/or site will be responsible for artwork installation and/or removal.
• Preference will be given to artworks designed with sufficient durability. Outdoor works should be able to withstand New England weather conditions for the length of the display, with the exception of works that are intentionally ephemeral.
• Artwork should be low- or no-maintenance.
• Artworks should be engineered with safety in mind and with reasonable anticipation of moderate interaction with passersby, including students, local residents, and children.
• Artwork must not violate copyright or trademark law.
• Funds are contingent on final approval of artwork by the Council.
• Final execution must be materially similar to the proposed concept.
How Grant Recipients Are Paid
Reimbursement Grants
FY25 Funding List
A grant list will be published here after January 17, 2025 and once the Local Cultural Council has finalized their decisions.
