Lawrence Cultural Council
The Lawrence Cultural Council is a volunteer group comprised of Lawrencians, appointed by the Mayor to disperse funds awarded to the city from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Funds are awarded through a grant process. Grants may be submitted from individuals, schools, artists, and cultural groups. Activities receiving support from the council must take place in the city and serve all facets of the population from children to the elderly.
Lawrence Cultural Council Mission Statement:
Our mission is to support programs in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences that contribute to the enhancement of the quality of life in Lawrence.
Contact
Patricia Mariano, Chairman
lawrenceculturalcouncil@gmail.com
978-620-3950
Address
200 Common Street
Lawrence, MA 01840
FY22 Allocation
$114,600
FY22 Local Priorities
Lawrence Cultural Priorities FY 2022
Lawrence Cultural Council (LCC) grants are open to individual artists, art organizations, community organizations, schools and municipal agencies. All projects funded by the Lawrence Cultural Council must primarily serve and benefit the Lawrence community through exhibits, performances, readings, cultural events and/or field trips. Celebrating the diversity of our “Immigrant City”, we encourage projects which highlight our rich culture, equity, diversity and inclusion. The Lawrence Cultural Council prefers to fund local artists who live in the city.
The Lawrence Cultural Grant process is governed by requirements and regulations established by the Massachusetts Cultural Council; failure to comply with the Lawrence Cultural guidelines may jeopardize a grant application. Additional information about grant programs may be found at www.massculturalcouncil.org.
All grants for FY 2022 must be submitted online. Application deadline for this funding cycle is October 15, 2021. Please add a letter of support verifying that a venue is secured to the supplemental materials.
Field Trip requests are submitted on the same online application. The Lawrence Cultural Council does not fund transportation and/or food or beverage expenses.
A funding limit has been set for $3000 per project for 2022. Please do not submit grant requests for amounts greater than $3000. Applications received requesting over $3000 will not be considered. Similarly do not request $3000 if in fact the project can be completed for a much smaller amount. Requests should not exceed the need.
Grants are awarded for projects taking place for the period January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022.
Grants are evaluated based on the following criteria: quality of project, community benefit, budget and funding.
Quality of the project
Is the project well thought out with evidence of planning? Are the specific dates and venues identified? Do the qualifications of the artist, humanist or interpretive scientist leading the activity suggest that the project will be of high quality? Does the proposal adhere to local priorities?
Community Benefit
Is there evidence that the proposal will benefit the citizens of Lawrence? What is the impact this proposal will have on the city of Lawrence and its citizens? Does the project contribute to the cultural vitality and well-being of the city as a whole? Is there community support for the project?
Budget and Funding Support
Does the budget balance? Does the budget follow LCC guidelines? Is the budget realistic and clear? Are there other sources of funding or is Lawrence Cultural Council the sole source of funding? Is the project budget specific?
Reimbursement –
As part of our new Direct Grant Payment Option, you will receive your funding as a direct grant that will not require you to expend your own funds and request a reimbursement. In order to accept your grant and receive payment, you must complete and return a Grant Agreement and W-9, which will be enclosed in the award letter within two weeks. In addition, you will be required to fill out a final report on your project once you program is complete.
Recognition requirements –
Acknowledgement is required in all published materials and announcements regarding activities supported by the Lawrence Cultural Council through funds. The sponsored individual or group must acknowledge this support with a written and/or verbal credit statement and by using the MCC logo. This credit is required by the MCC and failure to do so may jeopardize funding.
FY22 Local Guidelines
The Cultural Council grant process is governed by requirements and regulations established by the Massachusetts Cultural Council; failure to comply with the LCC Program Guidelines may jeopardize a grant application. Grant applications as well as additional information about the Massachusetts Cultural Council and its programs may be found at www.massculturalcouncil.org.
A funding limit has been set for $3,000 per project for 2016. Please, do not submit grant requests for amounts greater than $3,000. Grants are awarded for the period 1/1/2016 through 12/31/2016.
ALL applicants MUST submit ONLY ONE original application with supporting paper documentation. All applications MUST be complete including and all questions, information and budget questions. Incomplete applications will not be processed and may be returned to be corrected, if time allows. All applications must be POSTMARKED on or before October 15, 2015. There will be no exceptions – postmarks will be noted. The Lawrence Cultural Council cannot be held responsible for applications lost in the mail.
Applications must be sent to:
Lawrence Cultural Council
P.O. Box 326
Lawrence, MA 01840
Important details to remember:
Only mailed and postmarked applications prior to the deadline are accepted.
Applications will not be accepted in any other way. Applications left in City Hall or the Library will be disqualified.
Grant Evaluation
Grants are evaluated based on the following criteria: quality of project, community benefit, budget and funding.
Quality of project – Is the project well thought out? Are the specific dates and venues identified? Are the qualifications of the artist, humanist or interpretive scientist leading the activity suggest that the project will be of high quality? Does the proposal adhere to local guidelines?
Community benefit – Is there evidence that the proposal will benefit the citizens of Lawrence? What is the impact this proposal will have on the city of Lawrence and its citizens? Does the project contribute to the cultural vitality and well-being of the city as a whole? Is there community support for the project?
Budget and Funding Support – Does the budget balance? Does the budget follow guidelines? Is the budget realistic and clear? Are there other sources of funding or is LCC the sole source of funding? Is the project budget specific? Has this project been funded previously by LCC? The MCC’s Sample Budget and Glossary explains how to complete the budget correctly.
Important details to remember:
Applications must be typed.
Your budget must balance.
The application must be signed.
Reimbursement
All LCC grants are reimbursement based. Grant recipients submit a reimbursement request form accompanied by documentation that the project occurred (invoices, receipts, canceled checks, program books, tax numbers or social security numbers) to the Council, the request is reviewed and then forwarded to the city for processing and payment. We will NOT be granting funds for telephone bills, administration fees, salaries, usual office expenses, postage stamps, foods of any kind, liquid refreshments or dinners/lunches, meetings at any public restaurant. Although the reimbursement process has been streamlined, be aware that it can take 60 days or 90 days to process a reimbursement. Along with reimbursement materials, a Program Self Evaluation must be returned along with a completed W-9 form. These items will be included in the award packet.
Recognition Requirement
Acknowledgment is required in all published materials and announcements regarding activities supported by the Lawrence Cultural Council through funds. he sponsored individual or group must acknowledge this support with a written and/or verbal credit statement or by using the MCC logo. This credit is required by the MCC and failure to comply may jeopardize funding. Rea
How Grant Recipients Are Paid
Direct Grants
