Mansfield Local Cultural Council

The Mansfield Local Cultural Council (MLCC) is a grassroots complement to the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s centralized grant programs. MLCC volunteers annually review applications from individuals, schools, and organizations to fund concerts, field trips, performances, lectures, workshops, art installations and community celebration/festivals.

Our mission is to promote excellence, access, education and diversity in the areas of the arts, humanities and sciences in the Town of Mansfield.

Contact

Adrianna Clark, Chair
culturalcouncil@mansfieldma.com
508-954-7725

Address
Town Hall
6 Park Row
Mansfield, MA 02048-2433

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Application Information

FY26 Allocation

$12,700

FY26 Local Priorities

The Mansfield Local Cultural Council polls the community on several occasions each year: our Grantee Reception, the Mansfield Family Fun Night, the Fall Festival at Fulton’s Pond and this year at Mansfield’s 250th Sestercentennial kick off weekend. This year as in years past, we have seen a strong interest in Public Events such as concerts, festivals, arts and crafts fair as well as Arts in the Schools. These were followed by Projects led by local artists, musicians, historians, scientists, environmental education projects, support for diverse community arts and cultural organizations, and an interest in public art such as traffic box wrapping, murals and sculpture. Other priorities include both youth and senior arts programs and support for historical events.

FY26 Local Guidelines

Please note that only applications submitted online will be accepted. Applications must be completed by 11:59pm on Thursday, October 16, 2025
Mansfield Local Cultural Council Guidelines:

To apply for Mansfield Local Cultural Council Grant, download and print an application form from www.massculturalcouncil.org

The Mansfield Local Cultural Council is pleased to be one of 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts to award funds in partnership with the Massachusetts Cultural Council. These funds are granted to qualified individuals and organizations to support cultural projects that benefit the community. Eligible disciplines include arts, humanities and interpretive sciences. Applications are sought annually and evaluated on a competitive basis in the fall. Grant awards typically range between $250 and $1,500. Larger awards are given on occasion. With funds being limited, grant requests should not normally exceed 50 percent of the cost of the proposed project or activity. New or previously unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposals with a council member before the deadline.

Applicants can be: a) arts, humanities or interpretive science organizations; b) individuals including artists, science educators, historians or other humanists, parents, community members, etc.; c) community organizations including, but not limited to, schools, social service organizations, civic groups, churches, neighborhood centers, youth, senior and family associations, etc.; Incorporated organizations must be nonprofit; unincorporated associations must have a nonprofit purpose. Individual applicants are required to be residents for at least one year; organizations must be organized and operating in the state for at least one year.

Proposals are evaluated by a municipally appointed panel of artists, humanists and community representatives. Criteria include artistic, humanistic or scientific quality, value to the community, quality of planning, community support and/or involvement and the track record of the applicant. The applicant’s qualifications must be demonstrated, and if the applicant is not directly leading the activity (i.e., a community agency is hiring an artist), then qualifications of the individual(s) leading the activity must also be described. Proposals from schools and libraries must not request support for activities that should be or have been part of the municipal budget (i.e. teacher salaries, classroom supplies, school-sponsored clubs and organizations, library books/videos, etc.). Enrichment projects utilizing outside professionals are allowed. Mansfield-based applicants are given preference over those from out of town. Funded activities must take place in physically accessible spaces. The Council will carefully scrutinize repeat requests; such proposals should include other sources of support to show the project is not dependent solely on Council funding.

How Grant Recipients Are Paid

Reimbursement Grants

FY26 Funding List

A grant list will be published here after January 17, 2026 and once the Local Cultural Council has finalized their decisions.