Shelburne Cultural Council
The mission of the Shelburne Local Cultural Council is to help fund a broad range of cultural events that support and enrich the community life of Shelburne Falls and the immediate area. We encourage local cultural educators and artists to develop and share their talents through programs and events that appeal to the diverse interests of residents of all ages.
Contact
shelburnelcc@gmail.com
413-625-0300
Address
51 Bridge Street
Shelburne, MA 01370-1181
Connect on Social
Facebook
Application Information
FY26 Allocation
$5,700
FY26 Local Priorities
The SCC prioritizes projects and programs that:
Provide meaningful cultural, artistic, and humanities-based experiences for Shelburne residents.
Are innovative and participatory in nature.
Elevate the voices and experiences of historically marginalized groups in our area, ensuring inclusivity and representation.
This year’s focus:
To better serve our community, the SCC aims to strengthen its mission by supporting cross sector projects that create collaboration and bridge connections between different sectors of the community. For example, local artists with local businesses, seniors and young artists, a multi-disciplinary project that brings together musicians, artists and poets, or projects that explore cultural traditions and history.
We will continue to strive to increase our community impact, acknowledging that financial resources and government priorities are shifting. This year we are encouraging new applications and awarding of previous years is not a guarantee for funding.
Regional Collaboration:
We encourage applicants whose programs will benefit multiple communities to apply to more than one Local Cultural Council (LCC). Preference is given to applicants who apply to all councils serving their target audience. For example, a project hosted at a local school should apply to all LCCs serving the students attending that school. Note that the Buckland Cultural Council and the Shelburne Cultural Council are separate entities, though both fund programs in the area known as Shelburne Falls.
FY26 Local Guidelines
The Shelburne Cultural Council (SCC) approves grants for a broad range of projects and programs in the arts, humanities, and sciences, such as: public art, community events and programs, site-specific projects, operating support, ticket subsidies, modestly budgeted field trips, and other activities. As per Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) dictate, projects must be culturally based; we do not fund exercise or therapy related programs.
Application deadline: The statewide application deadline is October 16, 2025
Late applications cannot be accepted.
Apply at
Each grant application must:
meet the SCC’s priorities
explicitly define both its local audience and its public benefit to Shelburne residents
identify any collaborative partners
include a letter of confirmation from the intended venue with a project date
provide a detailed budget
explain how the project will be advertised the project to Shelburne residents
not discriminate against any resident for any reason
be physically accessible to all
Applicant Eligibility
We accept applications from:
applicants who reside in, or are located in, Massachusetts
individual applicants who show that their project results in a public benefit to our residents
incorporated private nonprofit organizations
unincorporated associations that can establish a nonprofit objective; for example, a group of individuals coming together with a common purpose such as a community band or theater group that do not have non-profit status
public schools, libraries, and other municipal agencies, and LCC itself
religious organizations, or groups with a religious affiliation can apply for cultural programs that serve the general public, keeping in mind that LCCs can only approve applications that are primarily cultural in their intent and do not have the effect of advancing religion
Direct Grant Process
As of FY2023, all grants will be Direct Funded. This means they will be funded up front rather than after the project is completed. All grant recipients will submit their paperwork for direct payment within two weeks of receiving their approval notification. Using the Grant Agreement Form, the grantee will provide payment information and accept the terms and conditions of the grant along with their W-9 Form. A Final Report Form must be sent to the Shelburne Cultural Council within two weeks of completion of project. Failure to send the Final Report Form or, alternatively, return the funds, will result in the grantee being ineligible to apply again until the 2028 fiscal year.
If the grantee does not complete their project as per the Grant Agreement, the grantee must return the funds to the Council.
How Grant Recipients Are Paid
Direct Grants
FY25 Funding List
| Name | Project Title | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ashfield Historical Society, Inc. | The Conservation Lab | $325 | Buckland Historical Society, Inc. | Hilltown History Trail: Museums & Culture Tour | $300 | Charlemont Forum | Charlemont Speakers Series 2025 | $325 | Double Edge Theatre Productions, Inc. | Mohawk Trail Regional School Students Visit Double Edge | $325 | Elkus, Eli | Musical Storytelling & Folk Songs by Eli Elkus at Shelburne Falls Farmers Market | $125 | Fedorjaczenko, Alexis | Community Square Dance | $200 | Four Rivers Charter School | Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month Culminating Celebration | $300 | Franklin County Pride, Inc. | Franklin County Pride Parade and Festival 2025 | $250 | Franklin Land Trust, Inc. | Intro to Ham Radio | $200 | Heath Agricultural Society, Inc. | Live Music at the 2025 Heath Fair | $300 | Hilltown Families, Inc. | Hilltown Families Suggests | $300 | Kline, Carrie | Songs and Stories of Appalachia and Rural America | $200 | Knittle, Bill | Wild Bill & Big Trouble | $325 | Local Access to Valley Arts | On the Boards '25 | $200 | Memorial Hall Association, Inc. | Pothole Pictures 2025 Seasons | $370 | Mohawk Trail Concerts, Inc. | Summer Festival 2025 and Music at the Arms | $325 | Pioneer Valley Symphony, Inc. | “Peer Gynt” - 2025 Education Concert | $325 | Piti Theatre Company | Inclusion Improv | $325 | Ryan, Elizabeth | After Porch Fest Party | $335 | Steinem, Kathleen | Seniority Dances in the Community | $325 | The Art Garden, Inc. | Winter HooPla | $700 | The Nolumbeka Project, Inc. | Full Snow Moon Gathering and Eastern Woodlands Social Dance | $250 | Weisblat, Tinky | Museum on Main Street: Voices and Votes | $325 |
Review Complete LCC Program Guidelines
