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Festivals and Projects Grant Programs are Combining

Kalyn King, Program Officer and Timothea Pham, Program Officer

a 4-person band performs outside near Boston Harbor
Zumix Concert Series, East Boston

During the past few years, virtual festivals, outdoor performances, pop-up markets, self-guided tours, and socially-distant celebrations truly gave life to our communities during some incredibly trying times. Even though we have seen signs of resiliency throughout the cultural sector, support for organizations and festival producers remains vital to recovery. The need to gather and participate in cultural life has been made a priority for most communities, and because of that, it is important for Mass Cultural Council to continue supporting these public programming efforts.

In the FY23 grant cycle, two previously separate and distinct grant programs, Festivals and Projects, will combine into our new Festivals & Projects program to support publicly-available cultural activities.

These grants are meant to expand access to a wide range of cultural experiences and support a program’s sustainability. This year, $2,500 grants will be awarded to eligible applicants.

Eligibility is intentionally broad and includes:

  • Federally or state-recognized tribes and Urban Indian organizations
  • Fiscally-sponsored organizations
  • Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) and small for-profit corporations,
  • Municipal entities such as Local Cultural Councils, public libraries, and recreational departments
  • Massachusetts nonprofits

Eligible programs will include projects, festivals, and/or activities that are publicly available between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023. Although the project itself must be fully cultural, the applicant entity does not need to be. Projects must have a minimum of $2,500 in expenses, including the full cost of the project – there are no limits on overhead or indirect costs.

The Festivals & Projects program guidelines and application will be available on October 25.

Questions? Contact Timothea Pham and Kalyn King.


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