Mass Cultural Council is much more than a grant maker. We provide the services, consultation, and support that assure that every tax dollar we invest in the cultural landscape of Massachusetts delivers meaningful impact for our residents. Our services are only possible because of the hours staff spend supporting constituents. Since July 1, 2018 Mass Cultural Council staff have...
As Spring slowly inches across the Commonwealth, we’re reminded of all that the season evokes; hope, natural changes, and new growth. But for municipalities throughout Massachusetts the annual sentiment is more reminiscent to Leo Tolstoy’s words in Anna Karenina, “Spring is the time of plans and projects.” Nothing symbolizes this more than the creation, proposal, and adoption of a municipality’s annual budget.
Culture and community are intertwined, with each feeding into the other; neither can thrive in any meaningful way without individuals and institutions seeing and acknowledging the value of all those who make up our communities.
Congratulations to Massachusetts' 329 Local Cultural Councils (LCCs) for awarding over 6,300 grants totaling almost $4M in fiscal year 2019!
Thanks to all who joined our 13 regional meetings across the state last summer, giving us an opportunity to talk about our strategic plan and Power of Culture messaging platform. Did you know that we’ve also created a messaging platform to help you make a compelling case for arts and culture in your community?
In November 2016, I relocated to the Greater Boston area from Dayton, OH just days after the Presidential election. As I reflect upon my first few days, months, and years in Boston, I was always asked “where do you live” or “where are you from?”
Congratulations to the Fall/Winter grantees from our Festivals Program! Celebrate the vibrancy of our communities at these festivals - and more - throughout the season.
Local Cultural Councils Reimagine Their Role in Community-wide Planning
Watch Hyannis HyArts Cultural District's Melissa Hersh discuss their new Main Street informational kiosks at Mass Cultural Council's Cultural District Convening last month.
Culture elevates the quality of life and well-being in our communities. It is also vital to a “Sense of Place,” our deepest connections to the places where we live, work, and visit. Watch Giles Li, Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center Executive Director, discuss "A Sense of Place" at the Mass Cultural Council Institute earlier this year.
Check out recent episodes of Creative Minds Out Loud, Mass Cultural Council's podcast, featuring:
- Jay Calderin of Boston Fashion Week
- Christina Turner and Sarah Rose of New Bedford Whaling Museum
- Benjamin Forman of the Gateway Cities Innovation Institute at MassINC
We conducted a series of 13 regional meetings across the state this summer as a follow up to the Mass Cultural Council Institute held in March 2018. The meetings gave us an opportunity to convene cities and towns by region to talk about our new strategic plan and Power of Culture messaging platform.
Check out recent episodes of Creative Minds Out Loud, Mass Cultural Council's podcast, featuring:
- Susan Wissler of The Mount
- Edmund Barry Gaither of the National Center of Afro-American Artists
- Tina D’Agostino of the Springfield Performing Arts Development Corporation
