Milford Cultural Council Opens Grant Applications For Arts Projects

MILFORD, MA — The Milford Cultural Council is now accepting applications from local artists, nonprofits and other cultural groups to support projects and programs through the end of 2024. The MCC started accepting proposals for cultural activities on Friday, with funding available for items ranging from parades to public art.

Here's more from a cultural council news release:

The Milford Cultural Council (MCC) will officially open their application process for grants funding community-oriented programming in the arts, humanities, and sciences on Friday, September 1. Applicants can apply for grants to fund projects and events completed between July 1, 2023 and December 31, 2024.

In consideration of feedback from the community, the MCC will prioritize proposals in the visual arts (including public art and instruction), music, performing arts, and the sciences. In addition, the council will favor proposals that are well researched and documented, primarily benefit Milford residents, serve a large portion of the community, recognize Milford’s cultural diversity, and do not rely totally on funding from the MCC.

Applicants can apply by registering and entering their proposal online at MassCulturalCouncil.SmartSimple.com.

"Last year, the Milford Cultural Council received 35 grant applications and awarded funds to 27 proposals that supported music, visual art, dance, poetry, history, and community events in Milford. We encourage individuals and groups, especially Milford residents, to get creative and submit applications that would bring a variety of diverse projects and events to the community,” states MCC chair Geri Eddins.

Applicants can find grant application tips in English, Spanish, and Portuguese on the MCC page
on the town website at: MilfordMa.gov/milford-cultural-council. In addition, the council is planning question and answer sessions at the Milford Town Library and Milford Youth Center. The dates for these events will be announced soon. In the meantime, questions can be emailed to the council at CulturalCouncil@TownofMilford.com.

The last day to submit applications is Tuesday, October 17, 2023. The members of the MCC will review all applications and inform applicants of the council’s decisions at the end of December. Approved grant recipients can expect to receive their full grant payment in February of 2024 once the funds have been received from the state council.

The MCC is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils (LCCs) 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 Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, which then allocates funds to each community.

As a local partner of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Milford Cultural Council seeks to promote excellence, inclusion, education, and diversity in the arts, humanities, and sciences to foster a rich cultural life for all Milford residents, thereby contributing to the vitality of our community and economy. The council welcomes ideas, recommendations, and feedback regarding programs and events funded or sponsored by the council. Interested Milford residents are encouraged to attend meetings, which are held every third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. typically in Room 14 of Town Hall. Learn more online at: MilfordMA.gov/milford-cultural-council.