Westford Cultural Council

The Westford Cultural Council’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in our community by supporting the arts, humanities, and sciences. This goal is pursued through an annual granting process that begins in October. Each year, the WCC receives funds from the state to be allocated to grant applicants. Organizations or individual artists may submit grant applications for programs benefitting the Westford community. Over the past 5 years, we have funded everything from science education in the elementary schools through the Living Lab, to Swing Dancing for senior citizens. The programs funded have taken place in the Westford schools, the J. V Fletcher Memorial Library, the Westford Museum, the PCA, the Roudenbush Community Center, and the Cameron senior center. In addition to the funds for grants that we receive from the state, local cultural councils may also accept contributions to be used for sponsoring events such as the July 3, 2010 Summer Fun event described below.

News & Events

Summer Fun on the Common Fantastically shaped bubbles floated through the air. Fire engine red Frisbees flew across the common. Delighted children, their cheeks and arms adorned with whimsical face-painting designs, played games, engaged in crafts, and otherwise frolicked on the Westford Common at the free Family Fun event sponsored by the Westford Cultural Council (WCC) on Saturday, July 3rd. Face painting and games were provided by Cultural Council members, assisted by enthusiastic volunteers from Westford Academy. The enchanting Mrs. Junkbox (aka, Emily Piper of Rumphius Creativity Unhinged) arrived like Mary Poppins to enthrall youngsters and their parents as she guided them in magically transforming old newspapers and other recycled materials into lovely sunbonnets, perfect for the day. The Westford Fire Dept. opened the firehouse for children of all ages to explore. Families left the firehouse with a renewed appreciation for the important work done by Westford’s firefighters – and red Frisbees to boot! Boy Scout Troop 159 supplied drinks. Even Mother Nature contributed by providing a perfect summer day! But the main event that approximately 90 residents came to see and hear was the musical performance of the bluegrass band Boston Road. Comprised mostly of Westford residents, the band performed original compositions, state-themed songs, and covers of bluegrass classics. The exquisite vocal styling of Kristen Vegeto was ably backed by Matt Valencius on banjo, Claude Galinsky on mandolin, Pete Vegeto on guitar, and Rick Posch on bass. During the break, Mike Vegeto entertained the audience with acoustic guitar. A great time was had by all!

Amount Available for Granting in FY 2011

$3,870

PASS applications are not accepted.

LCC Program Guidelines (PDF)

The postmark deadline for applications is October 15

Funding Priorities

Based on the Community Input Survey conducted in 2009 on the Westford town website, the residents of Westford indicated the following funding priorities for the next 3 years: - Public events such as concerts & festivals - Support for local artists and cultural organizations - Arts in the schools & youth arts programs outside of school - Senior citizen entertainment A community input survey is conducted every 3 years so that funding allocation can reflect the needs and wishes of the residents of Westford.

Local Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in the cultural enrichment of the Westford community. The Council has prepared this document to assist you in completing your application and to explain this year’s grant review guidelines. Grant applications will be assessed and rated based on the following criteria: 1. The program (or project) has a clear statement of purpose. 2. The program clearly indicates viability for successful implementation. 3. The program takes place in Westford and/or benefits residents from Westford. 4. The program is scheduled to take place during the 18 month period between July 1st preceding the application deadline and December 31st of the following year. (18 months later). Applicants that request funding for a project occurring before the local cultural council holds its voting meeting will not know the outcome of their grant application until after their project begins. 5. The program benefits a large number of people in the community, or an underserved segment of the population. 6. Programs that are repeated requests will be carefully scrutinized. Such proposals should show other sources of support to show the project is not solely dependent on council funding. All grants will be reviewed and awarded following the criteria outlined above; no applications will be excluded from consideration. (For a complete explanation of the state guidelines for awarding funding, please refer on-line to www.massculturalcouncil.org/programs/lccgrants.html). -Applications should be typewritten or clearly printed. Applications are very easy to complete on-line at www.massculturalcouncil.org/applications/lccapp.html -All sections of the application must be filled out. -Applications must be signed. -Retain a copy for your records. -Submit one copy of your completed application to: Westford Cultural Council c/o Aurora Winters 15 Dunstable ROAD Westford, MA 01886 (Applications must be received or postmarked by Thursday, October 15, 2010 or they cannot be considered) All Westford Cultural Council meetings are posted at the Town Hall and are open to the public. A Grant Application Review meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 26th (7:00-9:00 PM in the main meeting room of the J. V. Fletcher Memorial Library , 50 Main St., Westford, MA ). We encourage you to attend this meeting to briefly present or answer questions about your grant. If you have any questions about filling out the application, feel free to contact a Westford Cultural Council member designated with an asterisk. Members of the Westford Cultural Council *Aurora Winters, Chair (978) 692-4555 *Alice Phalen, Treasurer (978) 692-2086 Celeste Falcone Steve Pixley Mary Lyman Barbara Bergin Christine Robinson Norman (Gil) Bristol

Grant Applicants

• Tips for Grant Applicants
• LCC Grant Application (PDF, 20 KB)

Grant Recipients

• LCC Reimbursement Form
• Credit and Publicity Kit for LCC and PASS Grant Recipients
• Download an MCC Credit Logo

FY 2010

Name	Project	Discipline	Amount
Art On Main	Gallery Start-up	Visual Arts	$655
Clark, Richard	And Now Mark Twain	Literature	$350
Contemporary Arts International	CAI Grand Opening Events	Multidisciplinary	$300
Illumination Opera	Opera Scenes	Music	$595
Indian Hill Arts, Inc.	Irish Music at COA St. Patrick"s Day Lunch	Music	$350
J.V. Fletcher Library	Haiku Poetry & Card Workshop	Folk Arts	$250
Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra	Youth Concerto Competition	Music	$100
Merrimack Repertory Theatre	WA student theatre trip	Theater	$350
Nashoba Valley COncert Band	Conductor Fees, Insurance, Music	Music	$250
Piper, Emily	Old-Fashioned Noel	Music	$350
Robert Creeley Foundation Inc.	10th Annual Creeley Poetry Award	Literature	$50
The Discovery Museums of Acton	SMART Gals Family NIght	Multidisciplinary	$100
The Marble Collection	HS arts magazine	Humanities	$100
Tierney, Heidi	Odaiko NE - Japanese Taiko Drumming	Music	$450
Westford Academy Theater Arts	Mass. HS Drama Festival	Theater	$350
Westford Chorus	Spring Concert	Music	$600
Westford Farmers' Market	Musical performers	Music	$500
Yankee Notions	Concert of New England Folk Music	Music	$300