Power of Culture Blog
Join Us in Celebrating the Cultural Sector This Fall
Regional gatherings to honor the work of grant recipients across all of the Agency's programs
Dawn Heinen, Digital Communications Manager
2025 marks the 45th anniversary of the Local Cultural Council (LCC) Program, and one way we are honoring this milestone is to hear from the incredible volunteers who make this vital program — the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation — sing.
Every city and town in Massachusetts has an LCC working to bring public programs in the arts. humanities, and sciences to their community. Here are some reflections from a few of them:
Cheryl Weber, Newton Cultural Council member for 2.5 years
As retired arts administrator, it has exposed me to the wide array of arts in my home community and opportunity to support their work.
Jackie McDowell, Westfield Cultural Council member for 2 years
I have been an art teacher for more than 40 years and wanted to help my community expand their engagement.
Mel Donovan, Belchertown Cultural Council member for 5 years
I went to my first Food Truck Friday years ago and thought it was fantastic and I immediately wanted to help. It was important to me that events like that, and others, continue to take place in my town.
Peter T. Simonelli, Marshfield Cultural Council member for 1 year
To secure a collaborative environment for all residents for generations to come.
Cheryl: Attending the concert of an organization that the LCC funded.
Jackie: Attendance at Articulture – a program that the LCC supported – a production of Artworks of Westfield.
Mel: Other groups in town have been following our example and asking our advice on their own events. We’re advising the police department and the DEI taskforce on their Pride event, as well as partnering with them for National Night Out and helping them develops an annual PD vs FD baseball game.
Peter: Having the local store clerk say how much they love the summer concerts!
Cheryl: Supporting community arts and assisting emerging artists.
Jackie: We are active and engaged!
Mel: We’re very interconnected with other town committees. Most of our members serve the town in other ways and the town, in turn, is very supportive of our efforts. We all help each other because we all care.
Peter: The diversity of talent on the board and the willingness to lend it to community initiatives.
Cheryl: As home to many professional artists and musicians, there are outstanding resources here for mentoring, presenting, and engaging within the community.
Jackie: We came together to apply for and receive the designation as a cultural district.
Mel: The people who live in my community love spending time together. Every event is a chance to catch up, share stories, and enjoy being together.
Peter: The diversity of talent everywhere you look – and the willingness to lend it to community initiatives.
Cheryl: It enables arts organizations to expand their vision and programming.
Jackie: Local artists, artisans, musicians, writers, and performers of all ages look to us for encouragement and support. The LCC is a well-known entity in Westfield.
Mel: We have two ‘flagship’ events – one in the summer and one in the winter – that have grown and grown and now have hundreds of folks attending every hear. Food Truck Fridays and Winter Light Night are synonymous with the LCC and would be sorely missed if we could no longer held them.
Peter: Togetherness.
Cheryl: For small arts organizations these grants can make the difference between presenting a creative event or not.
Jackie: It is important to have a strong cultural policy that drives not only funding but appreciation of diverse cultural arts.
Mel: Most of our events have very little of their own funding. Without the LCCs support, we would have far fewer arts and culture opportunities.
Peter: I have young children and they are like Energizer batteries. We are always looking for something to do. As a life-long learner I welcome the ability to go freely to events that enrich and expand my children’s minds and experiences.
Cheryl: Our city matches the LCC’s grant awards each year making it possible to provide additional support to artists’ projects.
Jackie: Our new state designation of a Cultural District! The possibilities of place and performance are endless.
Mel: Our library is amazing. Besides their own programming, many of our grantees use their community room to hold events. It really is the heart and hub of Belchertown.
Peter: The trails.
Cheryl: I perform with two choruses: Commonwealth Chorale and BVOCAL, a protest chorus.
Jackie: Art lessons that I teach at a wildlife sanctuary in my area.
Mel: I’m a fiber artist. I knit and crochet almost every day.
Peter: Experiences and music.
Cheryl: Music Entered Her Soul!
Jackie: Little Art House in the Big Woods.
Mel: A Life of Scheduled Chaos.
Peter: “My Pleasure” – a life of building through service.
Cheryl: Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese.
Jackie: Northwoods by Daniel Mason.
Mel: Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs.
Peter: Re-reading Setting the Table by Danny Meyer.
Cheryl: Conclave – apropos for these times.
Jackie: All Creatures Great and Small.
Mel: Severance.
Peter: DIG! (2004).
Cheryl: Eclectic in my taste – I listen to world, roots, folk, classical, jazz, blues, country, and hip hop.
Jackie: Classical and Jazz.
Mel: Indie, mostly. St. Vincent is my favorite artist.
Peter: Bebop and Jazz Funk.
Cheryl: John Wilson, Boston artist, at the MFA. Can’t believe I hadn’t heard of him before. It was powerful exhibit.
Jackie: Articulture in Westfield. More than 70 artists, authors, musicians, and creators all in one space – a hockey arena (no ice).
Mel: The music program in my town is phenomenal. I love seeing the band and chorus perform.
Peter: The Wndr Museum in Boston.
Mel: I make sushi with my 9 year old.
Peter: I have mastered the art of making cast iron skillet pizza.
We are highlighting LCC members throughout the year, and invite them to share a nano interview with us!
