Medford Arts Council
Established in 1980, the Medford Arts Council works to bring high-quality cultural programming to the community, increase public access to Medford’s many cultural assets, and promote favorable conditions for our creative economy.
On an annual cycle we offer grants to artists, writers, performers, instructors, and cultural organizations seeking to engage the Medford public. We also help sponsor new public arts and humanities initiatives in Medford.
The funds we distribute are an annual allocation from the Massachusetts Cultural Council through their Local Cultural Council program. The Council also receives funding from the City of Medford.
The Council funds public events like the Arts Across Medford festival, Circle the Square, and West Medford Open Studios, as well as dozens of concerts, classes, field trips, performances, and other activities in disciplines including dance, theater, music, science, history, literature, craft and design, and the visual arts.
Contact
medfordartscouncil@gmail.com
781-393-2454
www.medfordartscouncil.org/
Address
85 George P. Hassett Drive
Medford, MA 02155-3299
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Application Information
FY26 Allocation
$36,200
FY26 Local Priorities
In accordance with our requirement as a Local Cultural Council receiving more than $20,000 from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, we have identified local priorities to guide our decision-making process for awarding grants.
Medford’s local priorities were developed using community input (through a public survey online and in-person) and strategic discussions at our recent public meetings. We will still accept, review, and approve a wide range of proposals including those that may be unrelated to our local priorities. However, we will use the local priorities to encourage, identify, and fund preferred proposals that are particularly suited to Medford’s needs at this time. Proposals are not expected to meet every priority listed, applicants should be clear and intentional about how their projects or programs align.
1. Clarity & Feasibility: Proposals that are feasible within the proposed time period, have a sound financial plan and have thoughtful marketing/outreach plans.
2. Community Impact: Proposals with an intentionally broad reach based on the number of people served.
3. Significance for Audience: Proposals that may have a smaller intended audience, but can demonstrate a depth of impact on that target audience.
4. Cultural Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Proposals that elevate the voices and experiences of historically marginalized groups to highlight the current and historical diversity of Medford as well as proposals that are age-inclusive or multi-generational.
5. Activating Public Spaces: Proposals that include temporary or permanent art — performing or visual, 2D or 3D, outdoor or indoor, physical or virtual — to be exhibited in public, open spaces in Medford, such as a park, municipal building, or neighborhood square.
6. Economic Impact For Medford Businesses: Proposals that draw visitors, boosting local businesses.
7. Proposals involving partnerships or collaborations among individuals, organizations, or businesses. We are especially interested in deeply collaborative processes that fully involve the talents, skills, and resources of multiple contributors and include different perspectives within the community.
8. Standard of Excellence: Proposals that demonstrate quality in the written application and supporting materials.
9. New Grantees: Proposals from first-time applicants encouraged!
10. 2025-2026 Community Highlighted Priority – Arts Continuing Education & Creative Skill Building: Based on community feedback, we are especially welcoming proposals that provide hands-on community art classes and artistic skill building.
FY26 Local Guidelines
The following are proposal conditions that are required and/or recommended for funding consideration:
Medford-Serving: Proposals must demonstrate value to the Medford community. Non-residents may apply if serving the Medford public with events in Medford.
Funding Amounts and Use: Grants awards typically vary from $250 – $5,000. Larger requests are occasionally considered, however, any request over $2,500 should show strong prospects for additional funding sources. Grant funds cannot directly support fundraising activities.
Proof of Local Planning: You must show that you have made specific plans to hold your event or activity in Medford and/or are seeking necessary approvals. This means including a specific letter of support from the organization that controls the local venue or demonstrating that you are taking necessary steps to receive a permit. For example, if you plan to hold your event at the Medford Public Library, you must include a letter of support from the Medford Public Library saying that they want to host your event. We do not fund applications which show no sign of specific local planning. Please upload your letters using the online application system.
Complete Applications Only: Only fully complete applications, including budget and necessary supplemental materials, will be considered.
Nondiscrimination: Per Council and State requirements, proposals must not bias race, gender, creed, color, origin, disability, sexual orientation, or age.
Accessibility: Per Council and State requirements, all funded proposals must be accessible to persons with disabilities—both in location and content.
Applicants are encouraged to visit www.medfordartscouncil.org for more information and council updates.
How Grant Recipients Are Paid
Direct Grants
FY26 Funding List
A grant list will be published here after January 17, 2026 and once the Local Cultural Council has finalized their decisions.
