Fairhaven Cultural Council

Culture brings an understanding of the wider world to communities by providing a shared language and creating connections among people, places, and institutions. Cultural programs, events, and exhibitions enrich the quality of life and well-being across a community. It is these experiences that the Fairhaven Cultural Council works toward delivering to all in our community. By providing direct funding to artists, performers, other creatives, and educators we strive to support projects that celebrate, preserve, and inspire creativity within the community, while also supporting the economic vitality of the Town of Fairhaven and the surrounding areas.

The Fairhaven Cultural Council serves all of Fairhaven. It is our goal to honor the breadth and diversity of its people and their cultural expressions. We fairly and equitably allocate our grants. We do not fund projects that discriminate based on age, ability, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nationality, geographic origin, or immigration, military, or socio-economic status. We encourage all Fairhaven residents to participate in our activities–applying to serve on the council, seeking grant funding, and attending grant-winning programs. Together we make Fairhaven a better place and expand its potential.

Contact

Beth Ann Gallagher
[email protected]
508-979-4085
https://massculturalcouncil.org/local-council/Fairhaven

Address
40 Center St
Fairhaven, MA 02719-2995

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Application Information

FY26 Allocation

$11,900

FY26 Local Priorities

This year (2025/2026) the Fairhaven Cultural Council will give priority to:

Projects that promote excellence, access, education, and diversity in the Arts, Humanities, and Interpretive Sciences.

Projects that offer a clear benefit to the Town of Fairhaven and its residents.

Projects or programs that will take place in Fairhaven and contain a letter of support from the proposed venue.

Projects that encompass the culture and history of Fairhaven.

First time applicants.

Returning applicants with successful previous projects.

FY26 Local Guidelines

FY26 Local Guidelines:

The Fairhaven Cultural Council (FCC) awards grants in part or in full, as funding is available. The Council funds as many grants as possible during the grant cycle, provided applicants meet the criteria as outlined in the FCC Priorities.
Fairhaven participates in the Direct Grant System. The FCC makes grant money available in full to grantees once their projects have been granted approval (January), the Council has received all required paperwork from the grantee, and the Town of Fairhaven processes the paperwork.
This Council funds projects taking place during an 18-month window of eligibility beginning July 1, preceding the application deadline in October, through December 31 of the following year.
A specified project date (or range) and location for the project, event, or performance is required. A letter of support from the proposed venue is requested at the time of application.
If the project culminates in an education session, event, or performance outside of Fairhaven, an estimation of participation by Fairhaven residents is requested.
Large budget projects must have additional sources of funding and not seek complete funding from the FCC.
Returning grantees should demonstrate the ability to host a successful and well-received program, as well as, the ability to complete and submit all FCC required paperwork within the stated timeline.
Projects must be accessible for persons with disabilities, including facility or event location, as well as the content of the program.
The Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) and the FCC must be credited by using their logos or the following credit line: “This program is supported in part by a grant from the Fairhaven Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.”
Applicants are encouraged to submit any additional materials that strengthen their applications. Support materials may include: letters of support, publicity, reviews, photos, resumes, press kits, etc. Support materials should be scanned or photographed and uploaded as per online application instructions.
At the completion of the program, grantees are required to submit a final report to the FCC verifying that the project adhered to the proposal, as well as local and state guidelines, and provides proof of properly crediting the FCC and MCC on all publicity.
Any questions may be directed to chairperson Beth Ann Gallagher at [email protected].

How Grant Recipients Are Paid

Direct Grants

FY26 Funding List

Name	Project Title	Amount
Cetik-Smith, Aylin	Children's Art Lab Summer Camp Scholarship Program	$690
Darwin, Susan	Fairhaven Summer Art Gallery Assistants	$500
Dore, Aaron	Alive Old Time Radio Play: A Drama-Therapeutic Community Engagement Workshop	$625
Fairhaven Green Lanterns	Drought Tolerant Pollinator Garden Model	$1,000
Fairhaven Historical Society, Inc.	Lecture: Liberty's First Crisis	$600
Fairhaven Improvement Association	Concerts Under The Stars	$500
Fairhaven Improvement Association	Fairhaven Homecoming Day Fair Entertainment	$500
Fairhaven Recreation Center	Pollinator Gardens at Fairhaven Rec	$1,000
Fairhaven Village Militia Inc.	Revolutionary War period Living History Encampment	$1,000
Jansky, Melanie	Natural Heritage of Fairhaven Speaker Series	$1,000
Matson, Rhonda	Backyard Band Jams goes to Cushman Park	$800
Nelson, Elizabeth	Mini Big Top - A Mini Circus for Mini Readers	$900
New Bedford Ballet Foundation, Inc.	Courage, Perserverance, and Trust: The Manjiro Story	$239
North Fairhaven Improvement Association, Inc.	Music Night in the Gazebo	$500
Quann, Lana	Watercolor for Beginners at the Fairhaven Council on Aging	$1,000
The Millicent Library	Growing Things by Margaret Moody Puppets	$796
Town of Fairhaven Conservation & Sustainability Department	Fairhaven Environmental Stewardship Collective	$1,000
York, Matt	Classic Country Music Revue	$500