Power of Culture Blog
New Round of Cultural Facilities Fund Grants Available
Capital and planning grants available to support facilities projects for nonprofits, colleges, and municipalities
In March, Mass Cultural Council officially launched the CultureRx Initiative with a well-attended public briefing for legislators, staff, and cultural partners at the Massachusetts State House.
One component of this new initiative, our Social Prescription Partnership Pilot program, began last spring in the City of Springfield and in Berkshire County. The results of that work are well documented in a report by the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. The report identifies the successes and future potential of the social prescription of cultural experiences in Massachusetts.
According to the World Health Organization, social prescription is common in other countries. Mass Cultural Council hopes that through CultureRx, Massachusetts will lead the practice in the US. Doctors, social workers, teachers, and other professional service providers will prescribe cultural engagement as a protective, healthy habit. Mass Cultural Council will reimburse cultural organizations for the social prescriptions they fill and the services they provide. This improves health and well-being of the participants AND contributes to the overall fiscal health and stability of the cultural sector.
This next phase of the Social Prescription Pilot is intended expand the program to include a broader cohort of organizations and practices by identifying cultural organizations that have existing and active referral or prescribing relationships with a professional care provider.
The FY21 cohort of programs paints a diverse picture of the potential of culture as a vehicle for improved public and personal heath in Massachusetts:
This cohort will begin their work at a time when organizations and individuals share an acute need for improved health outcomes. Our partner Dr. Debra Buccino at MACONY Pediatrics again offered the full support of her practice to the next phase of the program, saying “Especially in a time of isolation this is such a powerful way to counter things.”
Questions about Social Prescription or the CultureRx Initiative? Contact Erik Holmgren.