Worcester Arts Council
The mission of the Worcester Arts Council (WAC) is to promote excellence, access, education and diversity in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences to improve the quality of life for Worcester residents and contribute to the economic vitality of our city.
WAC accepts grant applications on an annual basis between September 1st and October 15th. Applicants are notified of the Council’s funding decisions in January of the following year. Grants are awarded to support arts, humanities and interpretive sciences, visual artists, performing artists, science educators, historians and other humanists, as well as community, civic groups, social service organizations, schools, neighborhood centers, and youth, senior and family associations.
Contact
Nikki Erskine
artscouncil@worcesterma.gov
508-799-1400
https://massculturalcouncil.org/local-council/Worcester/
Address
455 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608-1811
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FY22 Allocation
$187,700
FY22 Local Priorities
Each year, WAC seeks community input though a Funding Priorities Survey. The responses inform WAC on the types of projects that are most important to the people of Worcester. WAC uses this feedback to determine its Funding Priorities for its annual grant cycle. Projects and programs that align with the Funding Priorities are given preference in the Council’s review of applications.
Based on over 2,000 survey responses, WAC’s Funding Priorities for FY22 are:
• Project Categories | Projects that focus on Public Art, Arts Education & Instruction, and Children’s Programs.
• Cultural Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion | Projects that elevate the voices and experiences of historically marginalized groups to highlight the current and historical diversity of Worcester. Projects should create opportunities for artists and community members who identify as Black, Indigenous, POC, LGBTQIA+, refugee, immigrant, or person living with a disability.
• Locations | Projects that take place in or benefit areas of Worcester that are historically underserved.
FY22 Local Guidelines
WAC’s grant guidelines may differ from other Local Cultural Council’s guidelines. For detailed requirements and instructions, applicants must review the Worcester Arts Council’s FY22 Grant Guidelines before applying.
WAC project grant applications are only accepted through the MCC-hosted application (SmartSimple).
WAC fellowship grant applications are only accepted through Airtable.
For the first time, in FY22 WAC will use direct granting for both its project and fellowship grants. This means that all grants issued by WAC for FY22 will be paid up front. Detailed instructions for initiating direct payments will be provided to FY22 grantees in January 2022.
How Grant Recipients Are Paid
Direct Grants
