The Belmont Cultural Council has set an October 15, 2018 deadline for organizations, schools, and individuals to apply for grants that support cultural activities in the community. These grants can support a variety of artistic, scientific and humanities projects and activities in Belmont — including exhibits, festivals, short-term artist residencies, or performances in schools, workshops, and lectures. Emphasis is placed on applications from Belmont residents and organizations. Recipients receive partial funding mostly. Awards to local applicants most typically range from $200 – $800. All programs must be accessible to the public.
The Belmont Cultural Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The LCC Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences and humanities every year. The state legislature provides an annual appropriation to the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, which then allocates funds to each community.
This year, the Belmont Cultural Council will distribute about $5000 in grants. Previously funded projects include: Belmont Porchfest, Ayla Brown at Payson Park Music Festival, Hidden Poetry and Town Hall Theater production by Stage Ensemble Theater Unit.
For local guidelines and complete information on the Belmont Cultural Council, contact LCC Chair Juliet Jenkins at belmontculturalcouncil@yahoo.com. Application forms and more information about the Local Cultural Council Program are available online at www.mass-culture.org.