Medford Arts Council Announces Grant Recipients

The Medford Arts Council announced its grant recipients for 2011 calendar year, dishing out $20,126 in funding.

The 40 funded projects include:

• The Medford Public Library’s third annual Community Read
• A new multidisciplinary program, "Wonderful Trees," that will introduce Medford residents to natural history in our own backyards
• A revolutionary war reenactment at Riverbend Park
• Summer concerts at Wright’s Pond
• The West Medford Open Studios; dance performances
• The International Family Festival at Springstep

The Arts Council’s 2011 allocation from the Massachusetts Cultural Council totaled $15,440. It was augmented by donations from local individuals and businesses that enhance the Arts Council’s ability to fund so many excellent arts and cultural activities each year.

“We are grateful that the Medford Arts Council has brought tremendous benefits to our community by entertaining our seniors, educating our school children and welcoming our visitors,” said Mayor Michael McGlynn. “These grants enhance the quality of life in our community, as well as create artistic enjoyment for all. It is my hope that all residents will check out the Medford Arts Council’s website to learn more. I am sure people will find something on the schedule that will be of interest to them.”

“I am impressed with the terrific opportunities for arts and culture that we have right here,” said Arts Council member Alice Noble. “We would like to make it easier for Medford audiences to discover the many talents of our creative neighbors and organizations.  These hidden gems bring a real vitality to the city.”

Here's a complete look at the list of recipients:

• Medford Public Library, $1,000. Community Read 2011

• Friends of the Medford Family Network, $400. Children's Art Showcase, February 2011

• Medford Public Library, Two School Vacation Performances, $675. February: performance about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad; April: concert presented by composer/lyricist David Polansky

• Monkeyhouse, Inc, $1,200. Against The Odds:  Stories of Adaptation, Interpretation & ..." performance mini-festival, Springstep

• Medford Boys and Girls Club, $600. Urban Art arts education activities for 11-14 year olds

• Margaret Weigel, $600. “Wishes” - a multi site installation and public art project

• Back Pocket Dancers:  Stories from Far and Near, $980. Stories told in dance and narration, at the West Medford Community Center

• Dee Morris and MaryGrace DiMartino, $600. Wonderful Trees:  Medford's Living Legacy

• Handel and Haydn Society, $500. Educational outreach program in Medford schools, and student Vocal Apprenticeship Program.

• Sandy Strate, $575. Road Shows for Senior Citizens: free music, dance, comedy shows, Feb-Mar 2011

• Columbus Elementary School, $450. Historical Role Models: Helen Keller - two in-school performances on March 9, 2011

• Medford Senior Citizens, Inc/Medford Council on Aging, $350. Citizens' Photography Classes/Club at the Medford Senior Center

• Outside The Lines Studio, $1,300. Group Performance Project at Springstep

• Denise Doucette, $400. Musical programs for seniors in nursing homes

• Elyse O'Connor, $300. Solo/duo musical visits to seniors in nursing homes

• Salute to The Great American Songbook, $200. Performance, Glen Ridge Nursing Care Center

• Andrews Middle School, $280. Field trip subsidy to Museum of Science, Boston

• Columbus Elementary School $280. Field trip subsidy to Blues SchoolHouse Program, House of Blues, Boston

• Medford High School, $280. Field trip subsidy to Blues SchoolHouse Program, House of Blues, Boston

• Columbus Elementary School, $280. Field trip subsidy to Lexington Symphony Orchestra "Orchestrating Kids Through Classics” program

• Suzette Abbott, $300. Story Telling/Story Acting in Medford Public Schools afterschool program

• Medford Public Schools Afterschool Program, $460. World percussion program for grades K-5

• Medford Public Schools Afterschool Program, $150. Six Brazilian rhythms classes for grades 2-5

• Columbus Elementary School, $336. Open Air Circus After School Club, grades K-3

• Sonho Meu, $150. Andrews Middle School music workshop: Brazilian rhythms

• Delvena Theatre Company, $300. Jack the Ripper history/mystery performance at the Medford Public Library

• Columbus Elementary School, $350. Tanglewood Marionettes: two in-house puppet shows, April 7, 2011

• West Medford Open Studios $1,150. A two-day exhibition of artwork, April 30 - May 1, 2011

• Royall House Association, $400. Learning from the Landscape, a new permanent exhibit, opening May 2011

• Dance Caliente, $450. Dancing Through The Decades performance, Medford Senior Center, spring 2011

• Harlan Root, $280. Math Lab graduation whale watch field trip subsidy, Andrews Middle School

• Medford Public Library,$1,000. Summer Family Performances

• Medford Saving Lives Program, $500. Saving Lives Summer Concert Series: Ben Rudnick & Friends concert, July 2011

• Gregory Maichack, $400. The Art of Georgia O'Keeffe pastels workshop, Medford Public Library, July 2011

• Medford Public Schools/Medford Family Network, $225. Alastair Moock and Band summer concert at Wright’s Pond

• Medford Public Schools/Medford Family Network, $300 Sonho Meu summer concert at Wright’s Pond

• Medford Public Schools/Medford Family Network, $200. Liz Buchanan family concert at Wright’s Pond: "Songs for Fun and Reading All Summer Long"

• Stow Minuteman Company $700. The First Patriots:  Rebels at Riverbend Park, fall 2011

• CACHE in Medford: Celebrate the Arts $525. A program of events from the city’s arts and cultural organizations and artists, to coincide with National Arts & Humanities month in October.

• Shelley Gross/International Family Festival, $700. A collaboration between Medford Public Schools, Early Childhood Office, including the Medford Family Network, and Springstep.

About the Medford Arts Council

The Medford Arts Council is a city-appointed agency of volunteers working to promote excellence, access, education, and diversity in the arts and humanities in order to improve the quality of life for all Medford citizens and foster a sense of community.

The Arts Council funds individuals, community groups, schools, and non-profit organizations for projects that bring music, dance, theater, film/video, visual arts, literature, history, cultural heritage and more to audiences of all ages.

Each fall, the Arts Council reviews grant applications for local arts and cultural projects through the Massachusetts Cultural Council's Local Cultural Council (LCC) program. Grant applications for the next funding cycle will be available in September 2011.

Medford Arts Council members: Michael Bernstein (co-chair), Rene Chan, Maria Daniels (co-chair), Amanda Fowler, Sarah Grant, Alexa Mase, Anita Noble, Will Tenney, Anita Tucker

The information in the press release was provided by Maria Daniels, chairwoman of the Medford Arts Council.