Arlington Cultural Council
The Arlington Cultural Council (ACC) supports public programs in our community that promote access, education, diversity, and excellence in the arts, humanities and the interpretive sciences. The ACC is a local council of the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) and disperses funds allocated by the MCC to successful grant applicants. Members of the council are artists, arts administrators, and other community members with an interest in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences. We are volunteers appointed by the Arlington Board of Selectmen for up to two consecutive three-year terms. The Council is committed to funding a diverse cross-section of activities supporting a broad variety of art forms, ongoing work of individual artists, projects serving specific local populations, and local cultural organizations. Meetings are once a month and all are open to the public. The dates are posted on the Town website.
Contact
Susan Larson, Chair
arlingtonculturalcouncil@gmail.com
781-316-3020
Address
Selectmen's Office, Town Hall
730 Massachusetts Avenue
Arlington, MA 02476-4908
Connect on Social
Facebook
FY22 Allocation
$18,700
FY22 Local Priorities
NEW GUIDELINES
We will give priority to projects which include one or more of these components:
- The activity is open to the broadest possible range of Arlington residents.
- Arlington-based artists or cultural organizations are leaders of the project.
- The project is planned in collaboration with other Arlington-based groups, agencies, organizations, and businesses.
- The proposal demonstrates other sources of financial support or matching funds.
- Under-utilized venues are activated.
- Outreach includes minority populations.
- The project elevates the voices and experiences of historically marginalized groups.
FY22 Local Guidelines
An Arts and Culture grant can be used for many purposes in Arlington, such as:
- Using music or art to bring groups together
- Creating an experiential program that brings interpretive science or history to life for a diverse audience
- Complete a series of paintings, a musical composition, or theatrical performance
- Creation or enhancement of an arts program addressing systemic racism, social or environmental justice, or cultural inclusion
The Grants Committee of the Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture offers grants annually that typically range from $150 to $1500 to fund arts, humanities and sciences programs benefiting the community of Arlington. The Grants Committee receives its funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Below is a summary of the MCC application guidelines. For the complete guidelines visit MCC Grant Guidelines. Arlington?s priorities and evaluation criteria are specified further down.
Who can apply?
Organizations, agencies, schools, non-profits, libraries and individuals may apply for grants that support activities in culture, humanities, arts, and sciences benefiting the Arlington community.
NOTE: All applicants must reside or be located in Massachusetts
What are the grant requirements?
- The program must involve the arts, humanities or science.
- The program must have a public benefit for Arlington residents.
- The proposed project cannot discriminate on the basis of age, ability, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nationality, geographic origin; or immigration, military or socio-economic status.
- Approved projects must take place between January 1, 2022 and be completed by December 31, 2022.
How do I apply?
- Applications must be submitted online via the MCC website. The application will open September 1, 2021.
- To learn about the process, visit MCC Grant Application Process.
- The deadline for applying is Friday, October 15, 2021, 11:59pm. We cannot accept late applications.
Arlington Priorities
We will give priority to projects which include one or more of these components;
- The activity is open to the broadest possible range of Arlington residents.
- Arlington-based artists or cultural organizations are leaders of the project.
- The project is planned in collaboration with other Arlington-based groups, agencies, organizations, and businesses.
- The proposal demonstrates other sources of financial support or matching funds.
- Under-utilized venues are activated.
- Outreach includes minority populations.
- The project elevates the voices and experiences of historically marginalized groups.
What makes a good application?
Each year the Grants Committee typically receives grant requests totaling about twice the funds we have available. Therefore we look for proposals that are thoroughly prepared.
- Identify the Arlington location where the event(s) will take place and include confirmations from the venue host.
- Provide dates and times, including duration of program.
- Budget: Include all costs and in-kind donations (i.e. free use of space or donated services) in your budget statement. Include all expenses including space rental, project supplies, marketing and fees.
- If permits (e.g., permission from the Town to utilize a public park) are needed for your proposal please identify where you are in the permitting process. While applicants do not need to acquire permits for the application submission, it is highly recommended to begin the planning process.
- If outreach and/or collaboration (e.g., working with a school system) is needed for your proposal, please identify what has been done and cite any related agreements.
Review Grant Writing Tips for more information.
Please send any questions about this grant program to ArlingtonCulturalCouncil@gmail.com.
The Council website is artsarlington.org/arlington-cultural-council.
How Grant Recipients Are Paid
Direct Grants
