Pittsfield Cultural Council

With funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Pittsfield Cultural Council (PCC) provides grants to help underwrite projects, programs, and events in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences. We are committed to supporting the work of local artists, cultural institutions, and schools, as well as the work of community members who identify as Black, Indigenous, POC, LGBTQX, refugees, immigrants, or people living with disabilities. Our ultimate goal is sustaining and enriching the diverse creative community of the city of Pittsfield, with a focus on making cultural activities accessible and engaging to all.

Contact

Marilyn Gerhard
pittsfieldculture@yahoo.com
413-442-6120

Address
PO Box 1192
70 Allen Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201-6250

Application Information

FY26 Allocation

$50,500

FY26 Local Priorities

The Pittsfield Cultural Council gathers input yearly from the community and develops funding priorities based on the feedback received. In the 2026 cycle, the Pittsfield Cultural Council will give priority to:
1) Projects planned by Pittsfield artists or organizations.
2) Projects with a direct benefit to Pittsfield residents.
3) Projects that are accessible for free or at minimal cost to community members.
4) Projects that promote community engagement and cohesion.
5) Projects that reach diverse audiences, especially audiences that do not usually benefit from cultural or artistic offerings.
6) Emerging or independent Pittsfield projects that have a goal of promoting new growth in the arts, sciences, or humanities.
7) Projects for which a thorough and complete budget has been presented with the inclusion of all other funding sources.

FY26 Local Guidelines

1) A resume (for an individual) and/or statement (for an organization), detailing the applicant’s qualifications must be included with the application.
2) Slides, photographs, and other materials submitted with the application will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed and stamped envelope.
3) The project location (performance venue/gallery space, etc.) and the date of the event must be secured in advance of the application; if appropriate, a letter of support from the site manager or sponsor must be included in the application.
4) Any change to the project after approval of the original grant application must be submitted in writing (e-mail is acceptable) and approved by the Pittsfield Cultural Council in advance of those changes.
5) The Pittsfield Cultural Council and Massachusetts Cultural Council logos must be used in all advertising/ promotional materials such as posters, advertisements, and program booklets. Grantees who fail to do so may be ineligible to receive subsequent funding. You may Google “Pittsfield Cultural Council logo” to find the image. The MCC logo is also readily available online.
6) Grantees who do not submit the required final reports may also be ineligible for subsequent funding. The final report lets the council members know that the project was actually presented.
7) Applicants will not be funded for more than three consecutive years, after which the applicant must wait one year before re-applying.
8) Only one application will be considered from any individual or organization within each grant cycle.
9) The PCC does not fund fund-raising projects or grant scholarship requests.
10) All venues must be handicapped-accessible. Consideration should be made to present programs in accessible locations near bus stops, for example, for those community members who do not have personal transportation.
11) Funding for each grant is at the discretion of a quorum of council members. Applicants should understand that the council members will make every effort to provide funding to every worthy application, but not necessarily at the full amount requested by the applicant.

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.