Melrose Cultural Council
The Melrose Cultural Council is committed to supporting programs with public benefit that promote excellence, education, cultural diversity, inclusion, and racial equity to foster a rich and vibrant cultural life in Melrose. Priority is given to applications from Melrose organizations, individuals, and organizers. We encourage and wish to support programs across all arts disciplines, including the visual arts, music, humanities, drama, public art, murals, installations, and interpretive sciences. We encourage first time applicants. Requests for feedback are welcome before applying. Melrose Cultural Council will also entertain funding proposals from schools and youth groups. Our goal is to provide financial support to a variety of projects that collectively appeal to the diverse population and cultures of our community reaching adults of all ages, youth, children, families and seniors. The Melrose Cultural Council welcomes applications from a variety of identities inclusive of race, gender expression, gender identity, sexual identity, ability, religion, age, education, national origin, citizenship, and ethnicity.
Contact
Sarah Bolha
melrosecultural@gmail.com
781-979-4440
https://melroseculture.org/
Address
562 Main Street
Melrose, MA 02176-3113
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Application Information
FY26 Allocation
$16,800
FY26 Local Priorities
Applicants must present their events and programming during the upcoming calendar year (January 1-December 31, 2026) at a local ADA-compliant venue. Applicants are urged to closely read and follow the LCC Program eligibility guidelines and local priorities available on the Massachusetts Cultural Council website. As in our most recent grant cycle, the MCC may now fully fund approved projects, eliminating the need for applicants to seek additional sources of funding. We do not accept requests for capital expenditures, individual scholarships, or multi-year repeating programs. First-time applicants are encouraged to submit a proposal. Prospective applicants are welcome to contact the MCC to ask questions or to receive feedback on proposals before submitting. Grants are competitive, and not all requests are awarded or fully funded. In 2025, 32 grants were awarded, ranging from $300 to $3,000. In total, nearly $38,000 was disbursed to 2025 grant recipients.
FY26 Local Guidelines
Our 2026 priorities are informed by a recent community outreach survey. We are actively encouraging applications that address inclusion, diversity, and equity. Priority will be given to projects that build community through social connections and dialogue. We hope to elevate the voices and experiences of historically underrepresented groups that reflect and highlight the current and historic diversity of Melrose residents in an authentic way, through arts and culture. Projects that speak to the experience of Massachusetts artists and audiences who identify as BIPOC, Latinx, LGBTQIA, immigrant, or live with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Proposals for innovative ideas, collaborations, and new initiatives that produce free public events and activities in outdoor spaces are favorably welcomed.
How Grant Recipients Are Paid
Direct Grants
FY25 Funding List
| Name | Project Title | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bumstead, John | Musical Reflections from the Nissitissit String Quartet | $1,115 | Community Coalition of Melrose, Inc. | Red Hawk Rumble | $800 | Follow Your Art Community Studios, Inc. | Community Storytelling Series | $2,850 | Greater Boston Stage Company | Expanding Melrose’s Access to Live Performance Through Discounted Tickets | $950 | MUSIC Dance.edu | Hip Hop Chair Dance for Seniors! - a dance series | $475 | Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild, Inc. | The Massachusetts High School and Middle School State Drama Festivals | $950 | Melrose Alliance Against Violence | Voices Against Violence Community Coffee House | $750 | Melrose Early Childhood Center | Pumpernickel Puppets | $750 | Melrose Market Community, Inc | STEAM Activities at the Farmers' Market | $825 | Melrose Open Studio Tour | Melrose Open Studio Tour | $900 | Melrose Orchestral Association, Inc. | May Pops Finale Featuring Karen Walwyn | $950 | Melrose PTO, Inc. | World Culture Night | $1,425 | Melrose Public Library | The Author's Corner with Paul Clerici | $225 | Mount Hood Park Association | July 4th Concert | $475 | North Suburban Child & Family Resource Network | Create & Play Family Events | $1,500 | Polymnia Choral Society, Inc. | Haydn's "Missa in angustiis" and "Illuminare" by Elaine Hagenberg | $2,375 | Ramadan, Michelle | Sculpture Seekers: A Melrose Creature Quest | $2,000 | Rantisi, Tareq | 2025 World Music Concert Series | $1,990 | Santillo, Oren | Melrose Jazz Fest 2025 | $3,120 | Temple Beth Shalom | Keeping Jazz Alive | $950 | The Beethoven Society of Melrose | Beethoven Society of Melrose 98th Concert Season | $1,900 | The Delvena Theatre Company | Mangia, Meatballs and Murder | $750 | The Filmmakers Collaborative, Inc. | FC Academy outdoor film screening | $1,150 | The Opening Doors Project, LLC | Opening Doors presents Black Legacy Project | $1,900 |
Review Complete LCC Program Guidelines
