Westport Cultural Council
The Westport Cultural Council works to foster quality cultural programs and activities that bring the community together to create, share and inspire. With funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the WCC works to support community programs in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences. A grant from the Helen E. Ellis Charitable Trust also enables the WCC to recall and reinforce the dedication and contributions of Ms. Ellis to the arts, education and the community each spring.
The Westport Cultural Council is one in a network of local cultural councils serving the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts. Through State grants, the Council is able to support local arts, science and history, funds school field trips, and sponsors local concerts and exhibitions.
The Westport Cultural Council is unique in that it offers grants through a second grant funding source: the Helen E. Ellis Charitable Trust. Helen E. Ellis was a sculptor and dedicated educator who left an endowment to support local cultural programs for the Westport community.
Together, these two funding programs have made it possible for the Council to award grants to more than 350 artists, historians, musicians, educators, theater groups, naturalists, and others who have helped make Westport a more vibrant and culturally rich community.
Contact
Carol Vidal
cav318@gmail.com
508-676-8994
Address
816 Main Road
Westport, MA 02790-4396
Connect on Social
Facebook
Application Information
FY25 Allocation
$8,300
FY25 Local Priorities
The Westport Cultural Council’s priorities are to promote projects, presentations and events that benefit our community. Funding worthwhile projects from artists, groups or organizations give our community opportunities to come together. The Westport Cultural Council welcomes all applications that benefit and enhance our cultural climate, offer diverse and innovative events/projects and encourage the community to participate.
FY25 Local Guidelines
The Westport Cultural Council may limit dollar amounts to applicants due to monetary constraints. Each year, the number of overall, worthy applications effect how much the Council can grant out. Applicants must be prepared that their grants may not be fully funded. The applicant should be prepared to proceed and complete a grant if given partial funding. Funding for projects for personal profit are discouraged.
Applications for grants utilizing venues in the area must have a letter stating approval from that venue. Please include dates/timelines of your event.
How Grant Recipients Are Paid
Reimbursement Grants
FY25 Funding List
| Name | Project Title | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Buzzards Bay Coalition, Inc. | How Artists and Scientists View The Landscape About Us | $280 | Camarao, Christian | New Bedford Roots and Branches Festival 2025 | $300 | Fall River Arts and Culture Coalition | Echoes of the Falling River | $500 | Gillman, Jackson | A Mid-Winter Night's Dream | $400 | Gnome, Inc. | Gnome's 2025 Little Legends All-Abilities Surf Competition | $500 | Mass Audubon South East Region | Speaker Series: Science, Art and Nature at the Stone Barn | $700 | New Bedford Festival Theatre, Inc. | New Bedford Festival Theatre Summer Academy 2025 | $500 | New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, Inc. | Ceremonies and Celebrations | $250 | Old Dartmouth Historical Society | Museum Access for Youth | $500 | SouthCoast Children's Theatre, Inc. | SCCT Presents "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical" | $500 | The Art Drive | The Art Drive 2025 | $700 | The Greater New Bedford Choral Society, Inc. | Greater New Bedford Choral Society 60th year | $400 | The Philosophy of the Eight Guided Paths Spiritual Guidance Center Charitable Trust | Beltane / Maypole Dance & Ceremony | $200 | Tri-County Music Association, Inc. | Complimentary Senior Tickets | $200 | Viva Fall River | Connecting Communities- Geographic Expansion of Online Events Calendar & Promotion | $300 | Westport High School | Westport High School Drama Club - Into the Woods | $800 | Westport Historical Society, Inc. | Women of Westport Point | $450 | Westport Public Schools | Planet Pottery of the Solar System | $420 | Westport Writers Group | Waterscapes: a SouthCoast anthology | $700 | Your Theatre, Inc. | New Bedford JazzFest Series | $400 |
