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
Linda McGillicuddy
culturalcouncil@ayer.ma.us
978-772-0099
Address
Town Hall
1 Main Street
Ayer, MA 01432-1373
Connect on Social
Facebook
Application Information
FY26 Allocation
TBD
FY26 Local Priorities
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. Ayer specific projects get a high priority, but all others are welcome.
Funding Criteria:
Applications are evaluated using the following criteria: meet local funding priorities (see above)
When considering grants, the Ayer Cultural Council will place a strong emphasis on funding Town specific organizations and projects, as well as artists/organizers directly within the Ayer Community whenever possible, though external entities may also receive strong consideration depending on the noted criteria.
FY26 Local Guidelines
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 member, 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’ 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 done online via the Mass Cultural Council website. 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 or via zoom or a similar online forum.
Payments are on a reimbursement basis after the project is completed. Payment requests must document expenses with invoices, cancelled 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 website 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
FY25 Funding List
| Name | Project Title | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ayer Community School, Inc. | Wild About Reading Balloon Magic Program | $400 | Ayer Library | Summer Reading 2025 Level Up at Your Library | $400 | Ayer Shirley Regional High School | Honk! the Musical | $1,000 | Ayer Shirley Regional High School | ASRHS Drama Professional Workshops | $570 | Ayer Shirley Regional High School Music Boosters | Ayer Shirley Regional High School Marching Band | $715 | Clear Path for Veterans New England, Inc. | Build-A-Flag Woodworking Art Therapy Workshop for Veterans | $400 | Discovery Museum, Inc. | Open Door Connections | $400 | Fitchburg Art Museum, Inc. | 89th Regional Exhibition of Art & Craft | $350 | Groton Hill Music, Inc. | Community Concert Series/Bach's Lunch Concert Series | $350 | LaBollita, Ann-Marie | Matisse and the Cut Outs | $250 | Nashoba Valley Chorale | Love of Music for All | $300 | Sandy Pond School Association, Inc. | Sandy Pond School Digitization & Preservation Pilot Project | $1,000 | The Harvard Town Band, Inc. | 2025 Holiday Concert | $250 | Valles, Marcos | Music and Movement with Rockabye Beats | $500 | Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, Inc. | Artistic Pathways: Expressive Therapies for Cancer Support | $418 |
