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New Round of Festivals & Projects Grants Available

Timothea Pham, Program Officer and Kalyn King, Program Officer

Grants of $2,500 for organizations to fund activities that provide public benefit using the arts, humanities, or sciences

photo taken behind 2 performers on an outdoor stage, their backs to the camera. They are wearing traditional Latina skirts and tops, and are framed above by traditional Mexican paper flags. The background is a sunny green space with many people standing waiting for the show to start.
Festival Latino of the Berkshires

At Mass Cultural Council, we believe that festivals and projects play a vital role in building community and celebrating the vibrant cultural landscape of the Commonwealth. Earlier this year, the Agency proudly announced 740 Festivals & Projects recipients, totaling $1,850,000.

The next grant round of Festivals & Projects will fund activities that provide public benefit using the arts, humanities, or sciences and take place between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. These awards of $2,500 will support cultural celebrations, concert series, film festivals, public art projects, art workshops, pop-up markets, art and nature hikes – and more – across the Commonwealth.

Eligible festivals, projects, and programs are publicly available or community-based. Funds will be available to support activities that are open to the general public, or focused on serving the needs of a particular community. This could be a geographic community, ethnic heritage, or cultural/tribal tradition and may include events, education, performances, conservation, or cultural revitalization efforts. Eligible festivals and projects may also serve portions of the general public requiring specific accommodation (i.e. seniors in care centers, incarcerated individuals, people with disabilities, people in recovery programs, etc.).

Projects must also have a minimum of $2,500 in cash expenses, including the full cost of the project – there are no limits on overhead or indirect costs.

The total number of grants to be awarded is dependent upon the Agency’s FY25 state budget appropriation and our FY25 spending plan which is expected to be approved by the governing Council in August 2024.

Wondering if your group qualifies? Here’s a quick rundown:

  • Non-Profits: Must be registered and in good standing with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth or listed with the Attorney General’s Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division.
  • For-Profits: Need to be registered and in good standing with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, listed in the Business Entity database, and fall under specific entity types listed in our guidelines.
  • Government Entities: Federally recognized Tribal, State, or Municipal entities in Massachusetts are eligible.
  • Unincorporated Organizations: Must have a Massachusetts address, conduct over 50% of their activities in the state, and operate with an eligible fiscal agent.

The application deadline is May 23, 2024. Program guidelines are now available. The online application opens April 2.

Register for an information session:

  • April 4 – Live captions & ASL interpretation will be provided.
  • April 9 – Esta sesión informativa incluirá interpretación en español.

Office hours are also available.

Questions? Contact Timothea Pham and Kalyn King.

Read the Program Guidelines


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