Deadline: 15-Oct-21
The Mass Cultural Council is pleased to announce the Local Cultural Council (LCC) Program to local and regional cultural councils, who then regrant funds to arts, humanities, and interpretive science projects in their own communities.
A Local Cultural Council may approve grants for a broad range of projects and programs, such as operating support, ticket subsidies, field trips, artist residencies, public art, fellowships, community events/programs, site specific projects, and other activities, based on local priorities.
Funding Information
- The LCC application process can be quite competitive. Because of the large number of requests and the limited funds available for regranting, many LCCs receive far more applications than they can fully, or even partially, fund.
- Average grants tend to be modest ($500-$750) and are either reimbursement-based, meaning the applicant expends their own money, and if approved for a grant, then submits paperwork for reimbursement or directly-granted, meaning funding is provided up front to approved applicants and requires the applicant submit a W-9, grant agreement, and final report.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must reside or be located in Massachusetts. Local Cultural Councils may accept applications from anyone:
- Individual applicants must show that a public benefit results from the project for which they are applying. A public presentation of an individual’s work may provide the needed public benefit.
- Incorporated private nonprofit organizations.
- Unincorporated associations that can establish a nonprofit objective. A group of individuals coming together with a common purpose (e.g., local community band, theater group) that do not have nonprofit status.
- Public schools, libraries, other municipal agencies, and the Local Cultural Council itself.
- Religious organizations or groups with a religious affiliation are eligible to apply for funding of cultural programming that is available to the general public. LCCs can only approve applications that are primarily cultural in their intent and do not have the effect of advancing religion.
Criteria
The first three rules must be followed in the review of all funding decisions by Local Cultural Councils. All three rules are equally important. Additionally, councils have the option of developing local review criteria and may decide how to weigh their importance:
- Arts, Humanities, and Sciences. Local Cultural Council funds may only be used to support programs in the arts, humanities, and sciences in Massachusetts. This definition includes the study, pursuit, performance, exhibition, and appreciation of cultural activities in the broadest sense.
- Public Benefit. Local Cultural Council funds must be used to support activities that contribute to the cultural vitality of the community rather than benefiting any private individual or group. However, this does not mean that a large crowd of people needs to participate to satisfy the public benefit requirement.
- Non-Discrimination. In accordance with state law, Local Cultural Councils may not discriminate against applicants and/or programs 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. Nor may Local Cultural Councils fund projects that discriminate based on these attributes.
- Local Criteria. Local Cultural Councils are authorized to develop additional criteria and may give different weight to their criteria to reflect local concerns and community cultural needs. Council priorities must be posted to the LCC’s Council Profile by September 1st each year to hold weight in granting decisions.
For more information, visit https://massculturalcouncil.org/communities/local-cultural-council-program/application-process/