Nantucket Cultural Council

Amount Available for Granting in FY 2012

$4,070

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

Historical, Artistic, and Educational The MCC believes that the arts, sciences, and humanities have the power to build healthier, more livable, more vital communities. They enrich, exalt, and provoke. They are an essential part of a strong educational system. They contribute enormously to our economy. They build bridges across cultures. They can be used to address--or better yet, prevent--some of our most stubborn social problems. They help us interpret our past and shape our future. They help us understand what it means to be human.

Local Guidelines

Nantucket Cultural Council
Local Guidelines and Instructions
Effective 8/23/06

I. Program purpose and review criteria
The purpose of the Nantucket Cultural Council is to promote and maintain the vitality of local cultural resources and to ensure these resources are shared within the Nantucket community. The Council is committed to funding a diverse cross-section of activities. We support a broad variety of art forms, the ongoing work of individual artists, environmental education projects, collaborative proposals that bring together artists and other types of organizations, local cultural groups and projects that serve specific populations, including, but not limited to: youth, elders, low-income, disabled.
Applications are evaluated in terms of several review criteria: artistic or creative merit; project design; qualifications, dedication and track record of the individuals and organizations involved; physical accessibility of any facilities being used; and community benefit/involvement. Proposals from schools and libraries must not request support for activities that should be or used to be part of the municipal budget (i.e., teacher salaries, classroom supplies, school-sponsored clubs and organizations, library books/videos, etc.). Enrichment projects utilizing outside professionals are allowed. Nantucket-based applicants are given preference over those from out of town. The council will carefully scrutinize repeated requests; such proposals should show other sources of support to show the project is not dependent solely on council funding.

II. Eligibility
Applicants can be: a) arts, humanities or interpretive science organizations; b) individuals including artists, science educators, historians or other humanists, parents, community members, etc.; c) community organizations including, but not limited to, schools, social service organizations, business and civic groups, neighborhood centers, youth, senior and family associations, etc. Incorporated organizations must be nonprofit; unincorporated associations must have a nonprofit purpose. Individual applicants are required to be residents for at least one year; organizations must be organized and operating in the state for at least one year.

III. Timeline
Applications are available at the Nantucket Cultural Council website through the Massachusetts Cultural Council at www.mass-culture.org or at the Town Building at 16 Broad Street. Completed applications must be received or postmarked by Oct. 16. Send application and support materials to the Nantucket Cultural Council, 16 Broad Street, Nantucket, MA 02554.

• Community meeting and grants help -- Sept. 20
• Application deadline -- Oct. 16
• Notification of Application Status – by Nov. 21
• Final approval (from state review) -- on or before April 10
• Final reports & payment requests due -- by April 10 (one year from final approval notification)

The local council reviews all applications and submits its funding recommendations to the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Applicants should not implement any project or publicize receipt of any award until official state approval has been received since the MCC may overturn or amend local decisions.

IV. Application process
All applications must be typed or word processed. The application form can be completed and printed out at www.massculturalcouncil.org/applications/lccapp.html. When filling out the application, use the space provided to answer questions. One additional 8 1/2"x 11" page to complete questions is allowed. Include three copies with the original and one set of supporting materials such as: resume(s) of key personnel, organizational brochures, letters of support/commitment, artist samples (video, slides, writings, portfolio, etc.). Answer questions clearly, simply and as completely as space allows. Describe the project, any collaborators and address the review criteria. The budget is divided into Project Expenses and Revenue (income). These must equal. You can include in-kind donations, that is, services, materials or facilities which are provided at no cash cost to you. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want materials returned. Completed applications must be received by Oct. 16 in the Town Administration Mailboxes or be postmarked with that date.

V. Funding
Payments are made on a reimbursement basis only. Reimbursements generally take 8 to 10 weeks. Applicants are sent a reimbursement form to use for their payment request. Projects and payment requests need to be completed within a year of the final award notification. With permission of the council, progress or interim payments may be requested for the portion of the project that has been carried out. Final reimbursement will not be made until the project is completed. Due to the limited funds available and the high demand for support, the council often awards smaller amounts than requested and asks that applicants find matching funds or scale back their projects. Awards typically range from $250 to $1,500. A few larger awards are given from time to time. In cases where a project is partially funded the council may request an explanation of how the project will be modified. Requests for extensions beyond the grant period will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must be submitted in writing no later than one year from the date of the approval letter. The council will review and vote on the request and notify applicants in writing of its decision.

VI. Acknowledgment
In all published materials and announcements regarding the activities supported by LCC funds, the sponsoring group or individual must acknowledge this support with a written and/or verbal credit statement or by using the MCC logo. The credit statement is "This program is supported in part by a grant from the Nantucket Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency." The logo is available online at www.massculturalcouncil.org/contracts/logos.html or from the MCC on a camera-ready slick sheet, or on diskette (Mac or PC). This credit is required by the MCC and failure to comply may jeopardize future funding.

VII. For more information
You may contact the Cultural Council by leaving a message at the Town Building at 16 Broad Street, email us at acornhp@yahoo.com or call the chairman at 508-325-6231.