Power of Culture Blog
LCC Member Nano Interview – June
Shining a light on the vital work of the Local Cultural Councils in our cities and towns
Greg Torrales, Program Officer
When it comes to celebrating Local Cultural Council (LCC) Program grant recipients, a thoughtfully designed reception can do more than just recognize funding—it can build community, spark collaboration, and amplify the impact of local arts and culture. Based on recent LCC grant receptions, here are some fresh, field-tested tips for celebrating grantees and highlighting arts and culture across your communities.
The space you choose sets the tone for the entire event, and ideally, reflects an aspect of your community’s cultural identity. Methuen Cultural Council held its event at the Methuen Memorial Music Hall, a historic music venue that reinforces the city’s connection to classical music and the arts, while Chelsea Cultural Council hosted its reception at Chelsea Theatre Works, a long-standing community arts venue.
Other communities prioritized vibe. Amesbury Cultural Council selected a local brewery known for its strong support of the arts and designed its reception to be more family-friendly and community-oriented, complete with a hands-on art activity, rather than a formal affair. Marblehead Cultural Council opted for the outdoor courtyard of their local library, creating an intimate, relaxed environment.
Pro tip: Think of the venue as part of the event, not just the location where it takes place. Let the space set the mood. Whether it’s cozy, creative, historic, or playful, your venue should mirror the spirit of your local arts scene.
Allowing LCC grantees to share their work not only celebrates them but also helps everyone else become familiar with their work, which in turn fosters future collaborations and partnerships, ultimately leading to a stronger creative community.
Haverhill Cultural Council had grantees address the audience from a podium placed at the center of the room, which was great for facial recognition and holding their audience’s attention. Concord Cultural Council had a different approach. Their grantees spoke from their seats, making it easier for them to network with the rest of the people at their table afterward. (Concord’s cozy venue also helped craft a more intimate setting, which amplified the energy and excitement in the room after each grantee spoke about the impact LCC funding had on their work).
Pro tip: Invite grantees to give brief remarks about their funded project—just 1–2 minutes each (depends on how many grantees attend). It’s an effective way to connect the audience to each project. The emcee should be prepared to keep things moving (with humor, albeit respectfully) if grantees exceed the allotted time.
Why just talk about the arts when you can showcase them? Andover Cultural Council displayed a grantee’s photo exhibit on one side of the venue and another’s Botanical Immersion Box installation on the other. They also had a few grantees perform against a backdrop that displayed a list of the LCC’s grantees (and project titles), categorized by discipline, so the audience could immediately see the full breadth of their local support.
Amesbury raised the bar with a clay-based activity where attendees designed tiles that would later be digitized and turned into a public mural. Families attended with their children, who eagerly participated in the art-making experience. The event’s atmosphere was casual and creative, welcoming newcomers who had never interacted with the LCC before.
By blending a public art project with a grantee celebration, Amesbury created an opportunity for residents to feel personally connected to local cultural life. Attendees were also encouraged to sign up to volunteer or learn more about LCC membership—an easy, low-pressure way to get more people engaged. This is a great example of how a grant reception can evolve into an inclusive, hands-on community mixer while also enhancing an LCC’s visibility and recruitment pipeline.
Pro tip: Include performative, interactive, or immersive elements related to funded projects. It transforms your reception from a formal program into a living gallery or community experience. (Mass Cultural Council strives to include a performance at all of our gatherings.)
A Methuen Cultural Council member who graduated from Johnson & Wales University and worked in the hospitality industry for many years, catered their grant reception, while another member who owns a trophy shop, created custom awards for each grantee. Worcester Arts Council invited a local comedian to emcee the event—infusing humor, warmth, and community spirit into the program.
Pro tip: Think creatively about emcees, caterers, and other vendors. Local talent brings authenticity and personality and can help strengthen relationships with the businesses in your community. Tapping into the existing talents of LCC members and supporters can also elevate the experience while keeping costs affordable.
Grant receptions are a great opportunity to engage local and state leaders—not just for photo ops, but for real conversations about the role of arts and culture in community development. Concord’s Economic Vitality Manager, Mimi Graney (and Select Board Chair, Mary Hartman) and Andover’s State Representative, Tram Nguyen, attended LCC grant receptions and participated in meaningful dialogue.
Chelsea’s response to its LCC’s invitation was even broader: City Manager, Fidel Maltez, and representatives from Economic Development and Recreation & Cultural Affairs joined the event and mingled with grantees to see firsthand the outcomes of public investment.
Lowell’s Cultural Affairs Coordinator, Erin Duffey (Cultural Affairs & Special Events), and Worcester’s Cultural Development team played significant roles in helping their LCCs execute their receptions. Worcester’s City Councilor, Khrystian King, also delivered a rousing speech, making local artists feel seen, heard, and supported.
Pro tip: Invite state representatives, senators, or legislative staff. Locally, think beyond select board members, and mayors. Invite staff from other municipal committees and departments (e.g., planning, education, housing, recreation, COAs, etc.)—and don’t forget the finance folks who help get your grantees paid! Their support (and hopefully future collaboration) can grow from a single uplifting experience at your reception.
Grant receptions are not just for celebrating awardees—they’re an opportunity to grow your community. Amesbury Cultural Council placed a sign-up sheet near the front doors for attendees interested in joining the LCC, volunteering, or learning more about their work.
Worcester Arts Council took a different but equally effective approach by giving out welcome bags to guests—adding a layer of hospitality that made participants feel valued and more likely to stay engaged with the LCC. Small touches like this help reinforce that every guest has a place in your arts ecosystem. Many LCCs also had an area for grantees to place their flyers and posters of upcoming events, which helps inform guests of their local arts scene.
By creating a welcoming environment and offering low-barrier ways to connect, LCCs can turn passive attendees into future collaborators, advocates, or even applicants!
Pro tip: Always have materials on hand—like interest forms, brochures, or QR codes—that explain how community members can stay engaged, join the LCC, or contribute in other ways.
From professional photographers to public access TV coverage, several LCCs documented their events beautifully. These assets are great for overall publicity and future outreach to prospective LCC members and applicants. Here’s a cool example of an IG post Amesbury Cultural Council created following its grant reception.
Pro tip: Designate someone to take photos or videos—and remember to get permission to share them!
One thing that stood out in observing these receptions was how rarely neighboring LCCs attended one another’s events. That’s a missed opportunity. Inviting nearby LCCs to attend your grant celebration isn’t just a nice gesture—it’s a strategic move that can foster collaboration, idea sharing, and mutual support.
The more LCCs work collaboratively, the easier it becomes to spread successful practices and creative approaches across the region. For smaller LCCs that may not have the time or staffing to organize their own event, teaming up with a neighboring LCC to host a regional grant reception could be a powerful (and more manageable) solution.
Pro tip: Invite nearby LCCs to attend your events. Better yet, start a conversation about co-hosting or resource sharing—especially if your communities have overlapping artists or audiences.
A well-executed grant reception is more than a ceremony—it’s a platform to strengthen your local arts community, build relationships, and fuel your LCC’s mission. Let these examples inspire you to implement something new, and make your next reception not just an event, but an experience.
If your LCC hasn’t hosted a grant reception yet this year, consider planning one for the fall when the next application cycle is open. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate current grantees while also serving as an outreach mechanism to attract new applicants and grow awareness of your LCC’s work.
