Acton-Boxborough Cultural Council
The Acton-Boxborough Cultural Council (ABCC) is a volunteer committee comprised of residents from both communities. Through our grant cycle we support local public programs that promote access, education, diversity and excellence in the arts. All of our meetings are open to the public.
Contact
Sharon Garde
abccinformation@gmail.com
978-831-3447
Address
P.O. Box 2291
Acton, MA 01720-4478
Connect on Social
Facebook
Application Information
FY23 Allocation
$16,200
FY23 Local Priorities
Applications are initially screened using the following criteria:
All projects must follow State and Local safety guidelines in effect at the time of submission — should those guidelines change, projects must adapt.
We acknowledge the impact of COVID-19 on programming and encourage creative approaches for your projects.
Specificity – project must include performance/exhibit date, audience, and confirmed venue. For a live event, application must include date and venue confirmation in the form of a letter or approved reservation form from the venue host. For a virtual event, application must include date (or date range) and hosting and/or sponsor confirmation.
For in-person performances/exhibitions, project must specify alternative plans in case the project cannot go on due to COVID-19 or State/Town restrictions.
If the event is taking place outside of Acton-Boxborough, and you are not a resident of one of those towns, you must include a letter of support from an Acton-Boxborough resident with your grant application.
Non-substitution – Cultural Council funds are not intended to substitute, replace or relieve existing public funds for programs in the arts. Schools and libraries may only request funding for cultural enrichment activities that are led by outside artists, humanists or interpretive scientists. The cultural professional cannot be a current employee of the school system.
Applications will then be evaluated using all of the following criteria:
– Must demonstrate benefit to Acton and/or Boxborough residents
– Collaboration between and among artists and local institutions
– Artistic excellence (as reflected in resumes, letters, press, videos, other qualifying materials).
– Diversity of age groups, cultural backgrounds and artistic disciplines
– Originality
– Feasibility – ability of the applicant to carry out the project as proposed (or an alternative due to COVID-19 or State/Town restrictions)
– New projects will get priority
– Maximum community/audience impact, including ratio of dollars spent to number served
Limitations:
– Projects for consideration must fall between July 1 of the current Fiscal year and December 31st of the following year.
– Only arts organizations are eligible to request funds to support fundraising events.
– Non-dependency for ongoing projects: Council funds are not intended to be used as the sole source of funding for artists or organizations with ongoing projects (e.g. annual concerts, annual art exhibits, etc.)
– Costs for refreshments and transportation will not be funded.
FY23 Local Guidelines
Who can apply:
Eligible applicants for ABCC Grants (both LCC Grants and Field Trip grants, formerly called PASS Grants) include: individuals; private-nonprofit organizations; un-incorporated associations; schools; libraries, or other public agencies; and religious organizations. In the case of religious organizations, projects must be primarily cultural in their intent without the effect of advancing religion. Current employees of school systems or public libraries are not eligible to receive a grant for themselves.
What we can fund:
LCC Grants fund projects involving the study, pursuit, performance, exhibition, and enjoyment of the arts. Applications for humanities or interpretive science projects with an arts component will also be considered. Field trip grants, formerly called PASS Grants, subsidize the cost of admission for performances, tours and exhibits. There is no longer a maximum ticket price allowed, but transportation costs will not be covered by the grant.
The Massachusetts Cultural Council has a separate program, Big Yellow School Bus, which provides grants for transportation for cultural field trips. See www.massculturalcouncil.org.
Matching funds are strongly encouraged. Do not depend on ABCC grants for sole funding. You may use Cultural Council grants to leverage other grants, contributions or in-kind donations.
Funding Priorities and Grant Evaluation:
Applications are initially screened using the following criteria:
project must have a confirmed performance/exhibit date, audience, and venue. Applicants must provide a venue confirmation in the form of a letter or approved reservation form from the venue host.
Non-substitution:Cultural Council funds are not intended to substitute, replace or relieve existing public funds for programs in the arts. Schools and libraries may only request funding for cultural enrichment activities that are led by outside artists, humanists or interpretive scientists. The cultural professional cannot be a current employee of the school system.
Applications will then be evaluated using all of the following criteria:
Benefit to Acton and/or Boxborough residents
Collaboration between and among artists and local institutions
Artistic excellence (as reflected in resumes, letters, press, videos, other qualifying materials)
Diversity of age groups, cultural backgrounds and artistic disciplines
Originality
Feasibility — ability of the applicant to carry out the project as proposed
Maximum community/audience impact, including ratio of dollars spent to number served
Limitations:
The ABCC will support fund-raising events for arts organizations only.
Non-dependency for ongoing projects: Council funds are not intended to be used as the sole source of funding for artists or organizations with ongoing projects (e.g. annual concerts, annual art exhibits, etc.)
Costs for refreshments and transportation will not be funded
Requests for Capital Expenditures — Applications to acquire, improve or maintain facilities or equipment used for cultural activities will be reviewed only under the following circumstances: 1) there must be a one-time or special need and long-term public benefit; 2) there must be a 2:1 match of funding (1 part ABCC grant and 2 parts from other sources); 3) applicants must respond to a list of supplemental questions; please contact us for this list. Capital expenses are defined as: items that have a life expectancy of more than three years and a monetary value of more than $500. Examples include equipment, such as lighting or sound equipment, new construction or the renovation of a cultural facility. ** Schools, lib
How Grant Recipients Are Paid
Reimbursement Grants
FY22 Funding List
| Name | Project Title | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Harvard Town Band, Inc. | Boxborough Harvest Fair - NVCB | $250 |
| Harms, Andrew | Voices: Folk, Jazz, and Film Music for Trumpet and Piano | $600 |
| MUSIC Dance.edu | Hip Hop Dance Chair Exercise for Seniors! | $380 |
| York, Matt | Songs and Stories - The Highwaymen | $350 |
| The Concord Orchestra, Inc. | 2021-2022 Concert Season Music Director Search | $500 |
| Boston Yue Opera House, Inc. | Year of the Tiger Chinese Opera Show | $800 |
| Newman, Howard | Music for Seniors | $375 |
| Acton Community Chorus, Inc. | Why we sing! | $500 |
| Discovery Museum, Inc. | Open Door Connections | $549 |
| Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, Inc. | Writing for Wellness | $500 |
| Open Door Theatre of Acton, Inc. | Lightning Thief | $685 |
| Whipple, Kirk | Duo Pianists, Composers & Educators Whipple & Morales in Concert | $825 |
| Sounds of Stow, Inc. | Sounds of Stow 2021-2022 Concert Season | $400 |
| The Cannon Theatre | Tuition Support for Children's Programs | $450 |
| Schwartz, Janet | Simple Steps to Creating Beautiful Artwork | $400 |
| Fitchburg Art Museum, Inc. | 86th Regional Regional Exhibition of Art & Craft | $420 |
| Peet, Yin | 2022 Stone Carving Symposium | $600 |
| Kane, Timothy D. | All Together Drumming | $350 |
| Shadaj, Inc. | Indian Classical Music Concert and Music Appreciation Session | $500 |
| Tang, Hongbing | Asian Style Digital Art Workshops | $500 |
| Herman-Haase, Eileen | Dancing Joy with Dance Caliente | $650 |
| Chakraborty, Maitreyee | Children & Adults Sing Indian Classical and Tagore Songs | $800 |
| Groton Hill Music, Inc. | Bach's Lunch Concert Series | $500 |
| Zhang, Jessica | Window Seat 2021-2022 | $500 |
| Acton School District | Combatting Hate and Prejudice | $350 |
| Sudbury Savoyards, Inc. | The Grand Duke | $700 |
| Nashoba Valley Chorale | AWAKE! | $750 |
| Villani, Dan | CrossTracks Band Performance | $500 |
| Bates III, Davis R. | Celebrating the Season: A Performance for Seniors | $475 |
