Power of Culture Blog
New Cultural Districts Designated in Holyoke, Watertown & Westfield
There are now 58 state-designated cultural districts across the Commonwealth
Timothea Pham, Program Officer and Kalyn King, Program Officer
In a time when connection and community feel more essential than ever, festivals and cultural projects serve as powerful reminders of what brings us together. Mass Cultural Council is proud to award 740 grants totaling $1.85 million through Festivals & Projects in FY25.
The Agency saw unprecedented enthusiasm from cultural producers across the state this year, a testament to the growing impact of this program and the dedication of cultural organizations, artists, and communities to bring people together.
The FY25 grant cycle marked the third year of Festivals & Projects, which first launched in FY23. Since then, interest has steadily grown. In FY25, the Agency received 1,340 applications. This rising interest speaks to the resilience and momentum of cultural producers—who continue to deliver programs that are inclusive and deeply meaningful to their communities.
While we received more applications than ever before, the program funded 740 grants—the same as in FY24—reflecting our commitment to sustaining access to cultural opportunities across the Commonwealth.
FY25 Festivals & Projects grant recipients underscored our equity and inclusion goals:
Notably:
underscoring our efforts to expand support to organizations that have been underrepresented in the past.
Comunidad Colombiana Lowell (Lowell, MA)
La Fuerza Obrera Colombiana: Celebrating Colombian History – support for the creation of La Fuerza Obrera Colombiana, a 6-foot-tall public monument celebrating the contributions of Lowell’s first Colombian immigrant workers to the city’s textile industry. The project serves as a symbol of unity, addressing the lack of representation for the Colombian community in Lowell’s public art landscape.
Adams Theater Presents (Adams, MA)
Adams Theater Fall Festival – support for the Adams Theater Fall Festival, which works with regional and visiting artists on diverse programs to bring generations of local communities together. This year’s festival features a burlesque show, a concert, a film screening, and a comedy routine, fostering connection across the region.
2Gether We Eat (Worcester, MA)
Nourishing Minds, Cultivating Futures: A STEM Journey – support for an educational program where BIPOC and low-income youth will build and maintain hydroponic systems, gain skills in urban agriculture and green energy, and donate produce to families, fostering food independence and sustainable practices.
First Spark Festival (Arlington, MA)
First Spark Festival – support for a vibrant arts festival aimed at promoting community building and health through artistic expression. It aims to create an inclusive space where individuals can engage with various art forms, live music, and immersive workshops.
Mystic Open Studio (Oak Bluffs, MA)
Historic Walking Tour of Oak Bluffs – support for the creation of a Historic Walking Tour Map of Oak Bluffs, offering a free, healthy, and educational experience for visitors and residents. The map highlights the town’s rich cultural past, creating a memorable and historic journey through Oak Bluffs.
In FY25, we strengthened our focus on the Agency’s values of public service and inclusion. These priorities allowed us to go beyond simply funding “available” programs to supporting initiatives with intentional goals around equity, access, and engagement.
Festivals, performances, conservation efforts, and educational activities were among the diverse types of projects funded. Whether they served geographic communities, preserved cultural traditions, or met the needs of underrepresented audiences, each program is building connection and community across the state.
While we celebrate the reach of the FY25 Festivals & Projects program, we are excited to share that this grant program will be transforming into a new program, Creative Experiences. This evolution reflects our continued commitment to supporting cultural programming that is innovative, inclusive, and deeply connected to Massachusetts communities. More details on this new program will be announced in the coming months.
