Ayer Cultural Council
The Ayer Cultural Council (ACC) is a group of town-appointed volunteers who seek to expand the cultural experiences for the residents of Ayer. Through funding from the state and the town, we provide a variety of engaging activities and events. It is our belief that these programs support a growing and vibrant town, fostering a strong sense of community among residents while making the town appealing to newcomers.
Contact
JulieAnn Govang
jgovang@ayer.ma.us
978-621-4370
Address
Town Hall
1 Main Street
Tewksbury, MA 01432-1373
Connect on Social
Facebook
FY22 Allocation
$6,400
FY22 Local Priorities
Funding Priorities
Based on the 2018 Community Input Survey, the ACC gives funding priority to:
– Community-wide events such as concerts and festivals
– Programs that serve families, youth, seniors and low-income population segments
– Local artists and cultural organizations
– Arts education in the schools and youth arts programs outside of school
– Programs that support nature and science
Funding Criteria
Applications are evaluated using the following criteria:
– Meet local funding priorities (see above)
– Take place in Ayer and/or benefit Ayer residents
– Offered by Ayer’s artists and organizations
– Have a confirmed date & venue (please provide supporting documentation)
– Diversity with respect to age groups, cultural backgrounds & artistic disciplines
– Originality, community support & involvement
– Demonstrate financial need
FY22 Local Guidelines
Eligibility
The wide range of supported activities includes a broad variety of art forms, ongoing work of individual artists and writers, collaborative projects on literature, and historical as well as environmental education.
Applicants can be:
Arts, humanities or interpretive science organizations; Individuals including artists, science educators, historians or other humanists, parents, community members, etc.
Community organizations including, but not limited to, schools, social service organizations, civic groups, 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 Massachusetts’s residents for at least one year; organizations must be organized and operating in the state of Massachusetts for at least one year.
Procedure
Applications must be submitted on the official application form. Application forms are available online at www.massculturalcouncil.org . Completed applications must be received or postmarked by October 15 or the next business day should the 15th fall on a weekend or holiday. Send application and support materials to the Ayer Cultural Council, 1 Main Street, Ayer, MA 01432.
Applicants must submit one set of supporting materials. Not necessary but helpful are letters of support/commitment from sponsoring organizations.
Conditions
Projects must demonstrate their relationship to the town.
Projects must be completed within one year of the date of final written notice of grant award approved locally and by the state.
Events and activities must be held in physically accessible facilities.
Payments are on a reimbursement basis after the project is completed. Payment requests must document expenses with invoices, canceled checks, receipts and/or contracts.
The sponsoring group or individual must acknowledge LCC support in all published materials and announcements regarding the LCC supported event. The MCC logo is available at the MCC’s website, www.massculturalcouncil.org or by contacting the MCC. The credit statement “This program is supported in part by a grant from the Ayer Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.” may be used as well. Failure to comply may jeopardize future funding.
How Grant Recipients Are Paid
Reimbursement Grants
FY22 Funding List
| Name | Project Title | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel Kirouac | Piano concert for Senior Center | $250 |
| The Harvard Town Band, Inc. | Holiday Concert | $250 |
| Clear Path for Veterans New England | Arts from the Heart | $600 |
| Gregory Maichack | The Jellyfish: How to Pastel Paint | $500 |
| Discovery Museum, Inc. | Open Door Connections | $300 |
| Roger L. Tincknell | Under One Sky: Inter-generational Family Concert | $500 |
| Worcester Chamber Music Society, Inc. | Free Tickets for Town Residents | $300 |
| Acton Community Chorus, Inc. | Why we sing | $350 |
| Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, Inc. | Nature and Arts Therapy | $600 |
| The Cannon Theatre | Tuition Support for Children's Programs | $450 |
| The Sizer Foundation, Inc. | Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing Theater Production | $450 |
| Fitchburg Art Museum, Inc. | 86th Regional Regional Exhibition of Art & Craft | $250 |
| Groton Hill Music, Inc. | Bach's Lunch Concert Series | $500 |
| Mary Malloy | Drum Circles | $600 |
| StageWorks of Leominster, Inc. | Cinderella | $500 |
