Berlin Cultural Council
The purpose of the Berlin Cultural Council is to provide and maintain the vitality of local cultural resources and to insure these resources are shared within the Berlin community. The Council is committed to funding a diverse cross-section of activities. We support a broad variety of art forms, the ongoing work of individual artists, environmental education projects, collaborative proposals that bring together artists and other types of organizations, local cultural groups and projects that serve specific populations – youth, elders, low-income, disabled.
Contact
culturalcouncil@townofberlin.com
978-838-0150
Address
Berlin Town Offices
23 Linden Street
Berlin, MA 01503-1669
Application Information
FY24 Allocation
$5,500
FY24 Local Priorities
Get more information about council priorities from our local guidelines document.
The purpose of the Berlin Cultural Council is to provide and maintain the vitality of local cultural resources in the Berlin community.
The council is committed to funding a broad variety of programs that bring the arts, culture and education to all of those in our community.
Applicants that plan on holding a program in Berlin must already have a sponsor, venue, and performance date secured in order to be considered for a grant.
Applications must be completed using the MCC online application by October 17, 2023. No mailed in paper applications will be considered.
All supporting documents may be uploaded as a PDF, these include: resumes, brochures, letters of reference/support, samples of work, etc.
Due to limited funds and a high demand for our support, the Berlin Cultural Council may award smaller amounts than those requested and recommends that applicants find matching funds.
Owing to the nature of the population we serve, preference may given to projects that occur in-person over those delivered remotely. Furthermore, projects in Berlin itself and communities close by will prioritized over those at a greater distance.
All published material and announcements regarding programs supported by the Berlin Cultural Council must include the credit statement “This program was supported in part by a grant from the Berlin Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.” and the MCC logo found on the MCC website.
Please contact the Berlin Cultural Council with any questions via e-mail: culturalcouncil@townofberlin.com
FY24 Local Guidelines
I. Program Purpose and Review Criteria
The purpose of the Berlin Cultural Council is to provide and maintain the vitality of local cultural resources and to insure these resources are shared within the Berlin community. The Council is committed to funding a diverse cross-section of activities. We support a broad variety of art forms, the ongoing work of individual artists, environmental education projects, collaborative proposals that bring together artists and other types of organizations, local cultural groups and projects that serve specific populations — youth, elders, low-income, disabled.
BCC Local Guidelines and Instructions
III. Application Process
Applications must be completed using the MCC online application by October 17, 2023. No mailed in paper applications will be considered.
All supporting documents may be uploaded as a PDF, these include: resumes, brochures, letters of reference/support, samples of work, etc.
IV. Funding
Payments are made on a reimbursement basis only. Reimbursements generally take 4 to 6 weeks. Applicants are sent a reimbursement form to use for their payment request. Projects and payment requests need to be completed within a year of the final award notification. With permission of the Berlin Cultural Council, progress or interim payments may be requested for the portion of the project that has been carried out. Final reimbursement will not be made until the project is completed. It is requested that the Berlin Cultural Council is notified two weeks prior to the commencement of funded projects.
Due to the limited funds available and the high demand for support, the Berlin Cultural Council often awards smaller amounts than requested and asks that applicant’s find matching funds or scale back their projects. Awards typically range from $150 to $1,000. A few larger awards are given from time to time. In cases where a project is partially funded the Council may request an explanation of how the project will be modified. Requests for extensions beyond the grant period will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must be submitted in writing no later than one year from the date of the approval letter. The Council will review and vote on the request and notify applicants in writing of its decision.
V. Acknowledgment
In all published materials and announcements regarding the activities supported by Berlin Cultural Council funds, the sponsoring group or individual must acknowledge this support with a written and/or verbal credit statement or by using the Massachusetts Cultural Council logo. The credit statement is “This program is supported in part by a grant from the Berlin Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.” The logo is available online at www.massculturalcouncil.org/contract
How Grant Recipients Are Paid
Reimbursement Grants
FY23 Funding List
| Name | Project Title | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Berlin Memorial School | Fruit Flies Like a Banana - Young Audiences Arts for Learning | $1,000 | Berlin Senior Citizens Association | Welcome the "HonkyTonk Piano Man" | $400 | Berlin Senior Citizens Association | Berlin Has Talent | $400 | Berlin-Boylston Special Education Parent Advisory Council | Shine at Tahanton | $500 | Edgecomb, Diane | Interactive Summer Reading Performance for Families | $500 | Maichack, Mary Jo D. | Lift Every Voice and Sing Show | $500 | Mankita, Jay | Maker Space Build Along: Artful Mechanisms | $500 | McKenney Lydick, Lynne | Follow the Cannon: Clara Barton's Civil War Letters | $600 | Old Methodist Episcopal Church of Berlin, Inc. | Outdoor Summer Music Series | $800 | Town of Berlin | The Pineapple Project | $500 | Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, Inc. | Music Therapy | $300 | York, Matt | Johnny Cash - Songs & Stories | $500 |
