Power of Culture Blog
4 Tribal Cultural Councils Accepting Applications for Community Projects
Grants available for projects that meet specific tribal criteria
Timothea Pham, Program Officer, Amy Chu, Program Officer, and Kalyn King, Program Officer
Mass Cultural Council is pleased to announce $3,375,000 in Creative Experiences grants to support 708 festivals, residencies, performances, and other cultural activities across the Commonwealth. These one-year grants of $2,500 or $5,000 each, fund accessible and engaging programs in the arts, humanities, and sciences.
Creative Experiences is designed to bring cultural moments directly into communities and schools. The awards support projects that elevate creative expression, spark public engagement, and enrich the cultural life of local neighborhoods.
This year’s program (FY26) drew 1,551 applications from nonprofits, schools, for-profits, municipalities, and community groups – a testament to the strong public desire for vibrant cultural programming.
These investments reflect the Agency’s belief that cultural experiences are essential to the well-being of our communities – opportunities that inspire, educate, and bring people together.
Artful Mechanisms – Arthur T. Cummings Elementary School in Winthrop ($5,000)
To support “Artful Mechanisms” at Arthur T. Cummings Elementary School in Winthrop. This STEAM residency brings Playful Engineers’ Traveling Maker Space into classrooms, where students design kinetic machines, toys, and automata through hands-on exploration. Guided by teaching artists, they learn problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity while discovering how complex systems are built from simple parts. The week culminates in a family night showcase, where students share and keep their creations.
Berkshire County Head Start Cultural Experiences – Berkshire County Head Start Child Development Program in Pittsfield ($5,000)
To support a program that brings children, families, and educators together through shared cultural experiences. These activities strengthen social skills, foster meaningful relationships between families and teaching staff, and create opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. By covering costs, the program removes barriers that often prevent families from fully engaging in their child’s educational journey.
Brickyard Artist Residency – Brickyard Collaborative in Lynn ($5,000)
To support the Brickyard Collaborative’s Resident Artist Program in Lynn, which provides a year-long membership and studio space for a local artist to develop and share their work. Housed within the Brickyard’s community Makerspace, the residency expands access for underserved artists while connecting their creations to the public through exhibitions, partnerships with the Lynn Museum, and community events. By investing in local talent and making the creative process visible, the program strengthens Lynn’s cultural landscape and ensures that art is both created and experienced here.
Concert Season 2025-2026 – Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra ($5,000)
To support the Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra’s 122nd season, which will feature four public concerts showcasing classical masterworks, music by local composers, and works that reflect Lowell’s diverse cultural communities. With free youth programs such as side-by-side play-ins, the orchestra introduces young musicians to the power of live performance while ensuring family-friendly access for all. This season continues the orchestra’s mission to inspire through high-quality music and connect audiences to cultural heritage through centuries of musical storytelling.
Garden of Giving: A Community Mural – Westborough Food Pantry ($2,500)
To support Westborough Food Pantry’s mural project, which will transform a storage container into a vibrant, garden-themed work of art. Created by a local artist with input from the community, the mural will brighten the pantry’s surroundings and bring dignity, comfort, and pride to the more than 600 families who visit each month. By turning an ordinary space into a colorful focal point, the project enhances the pantry experience and creates a lasting source of beauty for the entire Westborough community.
Inhale Music, Exhale Life – Springfield Public Day Middle School ($5,000)
To support “Inhale Music, Exhale Life,” a program that introduces students to drumming and dance rooted in Caribbean and West African traditions. The initiative fosters cultural awareness, creativity, teamwork, and communication skills while building confidence and community in an inclusive learning environment.
Making Eastham’s History – Eastham Historical Society ($2,500)
To support the Schoolhouse Museum’s effort to make Eastham’s history engaging and accessible. The project will reimagine the 1900s classroom with interactive features like a virtual teacher, audio tours, and period games, while the “Treasures from the Archives” wing will offer tactile displays, oral histories, and genealogy resources. Blending technology with preservation, the museum is creating an experience that educates, inspires, and strengthens community pride.
Mid-Autumn Festival – Jasmine Cultural Arts Foundation in Acton ($2,500)
To support the Mid-Autumn Festival, a cherished holiday in Chinese culture that celebrates the harvest and the full moon. Hosted by Chinese associations of Acton, Concord, Sudbury, and Weston, the festival will bring the community together with mooncakes, dumplings, and other traditional foods, alongside performances in dance, vocal music, and martial arts. With its rich traditions and lively artistic programming, the event celebrates cultural diversity and strengthens community bonds through joy and shared experience.
Mucho Gusto Spanish Music & Language Program – Northampton Parents Center ($2,500)
To support the Northampton Parents Center’s Mucho Gusto Spanish Music & Language Program, which introduces families to Spanish through songs, play, and performance. With weekly classes and a community celebration, the program fosters early language learning while creating a welcoming space where families can connect and build community together.
NEW Moon Fest – Nantucket Community Television ($5,000)
To support the NEW Moon Fest on Nantucket, a festival dedicated to amplifying the voices of women storytellers from around the world. Through the Moonlight Series, the festival engages Nantucket women and girls in dialogue and reflection, showcasing films that address themes such as women’s rights, environmental awareness, and empowerment. By offering this cultural gathering during the island’s quieter season, NEW Moon Fest provides both artistic enrichment and vital community connection.
Youth Talent Showcase 2026 – The Ohketeau Cultural Center in Ashfield ($5,000)
To support the Indigenous Youth Talent Showcase, where young people ages 5 to 25 will share their creativity through dance, music, visual art, and more. Previously hosted at community venues across the state – including this year at the Northampton Center for the Arts – the event celebrates youth talent and provides encouragement from a panel of Indigenous community members, including past participants. The showcase uplifts the next generation of artists while fostering pride, connection, and growth.
The application for the FY27 Creative Experiences grant cycle opens March 2026.
