Because of platform issues on the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s website, the application deadline for arts and culture grants has been extended until Wednesday, October 19, at 11:59pm. If you were planning to apply for a grant, you’ve got a little more time!
Typically, these grants range from $150 to $1500 to fund arts, humanities and sciences programs benefiting the community of Arlington. An Arts and Culture grant can be used for many purposes in Arlington. Some examples include the following:
● Using music or art to bring people together, particularly historically marginalized groups
● Activating, elevating, or engaging youth through open mic nights, poetry readings, or storytelling events
● Creating an experiential program that brings interpretive science or history to life for a diverse audience
● Completing a public art installation, a musical composition, or theatrical performance
● Creating or enhancing an arts program addressing systemic racism, social or environmental justice, or cultural inclusion
● Supporting visual or musical artists whose work defies categorization and is experimental in nature.
Below is a summary of the MCC application guidelines. For the complete guidelines visit MCC Grant Guidelines. Arlington’s local priorities and evaluation criteria are specified below.
Who can apply?
Organizations, agencies, schools, non-profits, libraries and individuals may apply for grants that support activities in culture, humanities, arts, and sciences benefiting the Arlington community.
NOTE: All applicants must reside or be located in Massachusetts
What are the grant requirements?
● The program must involve the arts, humanities or science.
● The program must have a public benefit for Arlington residents.
● The proposed project cannot discriminate on the basis of age, ability, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nationality, geographic origin; or immigration, military or socio-economic status.
● Approved projects must take place between January 1, 2023 and be completed by December 31, 2023.
How do I apply?
● Applications must be submitted online via the MCC website.
● To learn about the process, visit MCC Grant Application Process.
● The deadline for applying is Friday, October 17, 2022, 11:59pm. We cannot accept late
applications.
Arlington Priorities
The Grants Committee of the Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture is focused on supporting arts, humanities, or science programming with a public benefit for Arlington residents. We will give priority to projects which include one or more of these components:
● The activity is open to the broadest possible range of Arlington residents.
● Arlington-based artists or cultural organizations are leaders of the project.
● The project is planned in collaboration with other Arlington-based groups, agencies, organizations, and businesses.
● Under-utilized or non-traditional venues are activated.
● Outreach includes minority populations.
● The project elevates the voices and experiences of historically marginalized groups.
● The application demonstrates other sources of financial support or matching funds.
What makes a good application?
Each year the Grants Committee typically receives grant requests totaling about twice the funds
we have available. Therefore we look for proposals that are thoroughly prepared.
● Identify the Arlington location where the event(s) will take place and include confirmations from the venue host.
● Provide dates and times, including duration of program.
● Budget: Include all costs and in-kind donations (i.e. free use of space or donated services) in your budget statement. Include all expenses including space rental, project supplies, marketing and fees.
● If permits (e.g., permission from the Town to utilize a public park) are needed for your proposal please identify where you are in the permitting process. While applicants do not need to acquire permits for the application submission, it is highly recommended to begin the planning process.
● If outreach and/or collaboration (e.g., working with a school system) is needed for your proposal, please identify what has been done and cite any related agreements.
Review Grant Writing Tips for more information.
Please send any questions about this grant program to ArlingtonCulturalCouncil@gmail.com.
The Council website is artsarlington.org/arlington-cultural-council.