Applications For Andover Cultural Council Grants Open Until Oct. 17

ANDOVER, MA — The Andover Cultural Council reminds residents that they have just a few more weeks to apply for grants for locally-based projects in arts, humanities and interpretive sciences.

The application period runs through 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 17. Applications are submitted through the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) website.

According to its website, the Andover Cultural Council funds and promotes cultural programs that enhance the quality of life in Andover. The Council is part of a network of over 300 local councils serving Massachusetts. Each year, the MCC receives funding from the state legislature and then allocates the funds to each community.

This year, the Andover Cultural Council said its state allotment is $12,800, a significant increase over last year, which reflects an increase in funding for the MCC.

"This is absolutely great news for Andover," said Leslie Seaton Malis, Andover Cultural Council chair. "It means we can fund a greater range and number of events and activities, serving more Andover residents. It's such a boon to the community. We're greatly indebted to our legislators, Senator Barry Finegold and Representatives Tram Nguyen and Frank Moran, who fought for this increase."

According to the Council, the group will be looking to support projects that focus on diversity, inclusion and Andover's broadening cultural base. The Council said it will look for proposals that address cultural change and that reach all segments of the local population, especially those that have been overlooked previously.

The Council also said that due to "pandemic-related issues that have not completely disappeared," it will continue to encourage projects that are not exclusively dependent on an audience that is physically present. The council also will look for projects that are flexible in their presentation.

"The cultural community is still striving to recover from the initial shutdown," the Council said in a statement. "Incomes and revenues disappeared, and many of our groups and artists are struggling to exist, let alone redefine themselves and move ahead in a new cultural landscape. We're committed to taking this into consideration as we head into the new funding cycle."

More information about the grants is available on the Andover Cultural Council's website, and questions can be directed to acc1810@gmail.com.