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Belmont Cultural Council

Is should be noted that due to the unpredictability of the COVID-19 situation, all aspects of our grants may be affected.

The Belmont Cultural Council consists of volunteers appointed by the Selectmen to support community-based projects in the arts, humanities, and sciences annually. Disciplines include public art (Belmont Art Association Transformer Project,) all-town festivals (including Porchfest), music (in 2018 Cellist Mike Block at the Public Library and Ayla Brown at Payson Park Music Festival), dance (Classical Kathak Indian Dance children’s show at the Beech St Center), theater, (Stage Ensemble Theater Unit at Belmont’s Town Theater, Science (Mass Audubon Habitat’s events at the Belmont Farmer’s Market) and more! New members are welcome!

A key component is that any program must have a public benefit to the residents of Belmont – for schools, local organizations or Belmont resident individuals. Recipients of Massachusetts Cultural Council grants in Belmont have included the Belmont Gallery of Art, public and private schools, the Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, the Belmont Public Library and the Belmont Council on Aging. Recipients have created paintings, murals, sculptures, exhibits, musical programs and workshops, nature lectures and hands-on programs, all of which enrich the lives of the people who live and work in Belmont.

Belmont is part of a direct payment program – approved grantees will receive their funding up front and not on a reimbursement basis. Instead, a final report will be necessary. Detailed information and forms will be supplied in the award announcement which comes in early January. Funds must be spent within the calendar year after the award letter date.

The state agency has a variety of initiatives which our local council volunteers can help educate and advise applicants about. Most awards are only a portion of the applied amount thus applicants need to consider other sources of funding as well. New initiatives are considered and supported by an active volunteer base.

Contact

Vicki Amalfitano, Chair
belmontculturalcouncil@yahoo.com
617-224-2034

Address
455 Concord Avenue
Belmont, MA 02478-2573

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Application Information

FY24 Allocation

$8,800

FY24 Local Priorities

The Belmont Cultural Council prioritizes funding applicants from Belmont and cultural events and activities that benefit the Belmont public. Cultural events and projects are defined broadly and include arts, lectures, performances, interpretive science, and humanities. Our July 2023 Community Input Survey indicated that town residents have the greatest preference for community-wide gatherings (festivals, farmers’ market activities) and the performing arts (concerts and plays). The next tier in preference is nature/science/environmental education, visual arts exhibits and education, programs celebrating cultural diversity. These were followed in decreasing importance by cultural education, programs at Belmont schools, programs occurring at the Council on Aging, and projects celebrating local history. The population segments of highest importance were families, seniors and teens, followed by communities of color, low-income populations, and people with disabilities.

Priority is given to events that occur in Belmont, and that are in collaboration with Belmont based non-profit organizations. Applicants based outside of Belmont are required to secure the sponsorship of a Belmont public or non-profit organization and include a sponsorship letter endorsing the project which must be attached to the online application as a PDF file. The Council places a priority on programs that occur after January of the grant cycle, i.e., January 2024 through December 2024, for the upcoming cycle. All grant recipients are expected to present a publicity plan as part of their application. Online applications for grants are required. Funds for food or drink will not be awarded grants.

FY24 Local Guidelines

The application form should be completed online at www.massculturalcouncil.org/applications/lccapp.asp . You will be able to attach supporting materials, such as resume(s) of key personnel, organizational brochures, letters of support/commitment, artist samples (video, slides, writings, portfolio, etc.). Please answer questions as clearly, simply, and completely as space allows. Describe the project and any collaborators and address the review criteria. The budget is divided into Projected Expenses and Projected Income. Please include all sources and uses of funds, including the amount in your application, and your budget should not show a deficit. You can include in-kind donations — that is, services, materials or facilities which are provided at no cash cost to you. You may not request grant money for consumables, such as food or drink.

How Grant Recipients Are Paid

Direct Grants

FY24 Funding List

Name Project Title Amount
Belmont Art Association Transforming Belmont 2024 $1,500
Belmont Porchfest, Inc. Belmont Porchfest $1,500
Belmont World Film, Inc. Belmont World Film's 21st Family Fetival $500
Biodiversity Builders Biodiversity Builders Student Plant Sale 2024 $750
Hart, Francis The "ME" Decade - A Cultural Review of the 1970s Through Music $300
Hou, Zhilong Wellington Multicultural Night Chinese Table 2024 $300
New Moon International Media, Inc. Boston International Asian Music Festival - Belmont $1,000
Payson Park Music Festival Association Payson Park Music Festival $1,500
Powers Music School, Inc. Community Irish Céilí, presented by Powers Music School $750
The Dorothy and Charles Mosesian Center for the Arts ArtReach: Mosesian Arts Storytime and Story Explorers Project $600
York, Matt Matt York - Songs & Stories: Willie Nelson $300


Mass Cultural Council publishes updates daily. Last update was made on March 19, 2024 at 01:55 AM UTC
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