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
978-263-4174

Address
29 Middle Road
Boxborough, MA 01719-1499

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FY22 Allocation

$14,300

FY22 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.

FY22 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

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Review Complete LCC Program Guidelines