Ludlow Cultural Council

Amount Available for Granting in FY 2012

$7,441

Applications for field trips are accepted. (Formerly known as PASS applications.)

LCC Program Guidelines (PDF)

The postmark deadline for applications is October 15

Funding Priorities

The council expects to fund events for local organizations as it has in the past, as well as summer concerts at the Ludlow Gazebo. Due to a smaller budget, the council will likely be unable to fund as many programs as it has in the past, and may only be able to fund 2 or 3 gazebo concerts. For the gazebo concerts, council members will work with approved applicants and the Ludlow Park Department to schedule dates. For all applications, the council would like information on the expected length of time for a performance or event to be provided in the Project Description (no. 1 of Project Information.)

Local Guidelines

Ludlow Cultural Council Ludlow Cultural Council Ludlow Town Hall 488 Chapin Street Ludlow, MA 01056 Chairperson Bill Nowak c/o Ludlow Town Hall INFORMATION SHEET GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR THE NEXT FUNDING CYCLE MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH POSTMARK DATES FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2011 THROUGH OCTOBER 15, 2011. APPLICANTS SHOULD SUBMIT THE ORIGINAL APPLICATION AND ONE COPY. IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT APPLICANTS HAVE A DEFINITE VENUE LISTED ON THE APPLICATION AT THE TIME IT IS SUBMITTED. What is the Ludlow Cultural Council and its purpose? We are a group of interested residents whose purpose is to support community-based projects and activities in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences to benefit the residents of Ludlow. We are appointed by the Board of Selectmen to dispense public funding allocated by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. We are responsible for informing the public about the availability of public funding for cultural projects and for reviewing and approving applications. The budget of the MCC is determined annually by the state Legislature. Who qualifies for funding? Massachusetts-based individuals, artists, nonprofit community groups, cultural institutions and schools with a cultural project that has a public benefit component may apply. How does someone apply for funding? Applications are available at Hubbard Memorial Library Application forms are also available on line at www.massculturalcouncil.org where applicants can complete the form and print it out. When are applications due? How should they be completed? Programs must be specifically described with the names, artist fees, qualifications of the individual(s) leading the activity, letters of support from facility to be use and collaborators. Applicants must use physically accessible facilities. What is the process for approval? Approximately two to three months after the Oct. 15 deadline, the Ludlow Cultural Council will inform applicants of their approval/disapproval. Applicants have one year from the date of final approval to complete their project and apply for reimbursement. Extensions may be requested in writing but are not automatically granted. How is payment received? By submitting a Reimbursement Request form along with documentation of the performance including promotional material, newspaper articles, invoices, bills, a brief financial report, and copies of to the Ludlow Cultural Council Chairperson’s address listed above. Request should be within 60 days of project completion. To receive reimbursement, grantees must acknowledge the source of funding, either by using the MCC logo or the following credit line in all verbal and written promotion: "This program is supported in part by a grant from the Ludlow Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency." Payment takes approximately six to eight weeks. What criteria is used to make grant decisions? Proposals are evaluated by several considerations: benefit to the community (including projects that may benefit segments traditionally underserved by cultural activities); quality of the activity, evidence of planning, qualifications of the individual(s) who will lead the activity, track record of the sponsoring group, clarity of proposal. School-related proposals must be for enrichment activities and not for programs, supplies, or salaries that should be part of the school budget. Call the council for clarification about school and library requests, or about any capital expenditure requests. The Council carefully scrutinizes repeat requests; such proposals should include other sources of support to show the project is not dependent solely on Council funding.