Brewer and Gobi Announce Grants to Benefit Cultural Community

(Boston) – Senator Stephen M. Brewer (D-Barre) and Representative Anne M. Gobi (D-Spencer) announced that the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) has awarded $115,080 in grants to cultural organizations, schools and communities located in their districts that cover parts of Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.

“These grants are critical for supporting a wide range of cultural activities and projects in our region.  The benefits are far reaching and allow citizens of these communities to continue to enjoy local arts and history, boosting activity in the community and promoting economic success,” said Brewer.

“Our town’s cultural councils provide a great service to people in using these grants to provide entertaining and educational programs,” Gobi continued.

Local recipients awarded grants include:

Ashburnham Cultural Council                               $3,870

Athol Cultural Council                                             $5,300

Barre Cultural Council                                            $3,870

Brimfield Cultural Council                                      $3,870

Brookfield Cultural Council                                    $3,870

Charlton Cultural Council                                       $3,870

East Brookfield Cultural Council                            $3,870

Hardwick-New Braintree Cultural Council          $7,740

Holland Cultural Council                                         $3,870

Hubbardston Cultural Council                               $3,870

Monson Cultural Council                                         $3,870

North Brookfield Cultural Council                         $3,870

Oakham Cultural Council                                        $3,870

Orange Cultural Council                                          $3,870

Palmer Cultural Council                                          $4,620

Petersham Cultural Council                                    $3,870

Phillipston Cultural Council                                    $3,870

Royalston Cultural Council                                     $3,870

Rutland Cultural Council                                        $3,870

Spencer Cultural Council                                         $4,470

Sturbridge Cultural Council                                    $3,870

Templeton Cultural Council                                    $3,870

Wales Cultural Council                                            $3,870

Ware Cultural Council                                             $3,940

Warren Cultural Council                                         $3,870

Warwick Cultural Council                                       $3,870

West Brookfield Cultural Council                           $3,870

Winchendon Cultural Council                                 $3,870

The grants were part of MCC’s $8 million statewide investment in the nonprofit cultural sector.  In total $2.3 million was awarded statewide to local cultural councils.  Local cultural councils comprise the most extensive public cultural funding network in the nation.  They provide funding to every Massachusetts city and town through 329 local councils and more than 2,300 volunteers.  The councils support local arts and history, fund school field trips, and sponsor local concerts and exhibitions.

This year’s budget also included $6.527 million in funding for the Massachusetts Cultural council, an increase of more than $1 million from the previous fiscal year.

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Posted: Tue, Sep 11, 2012
Updated Tue, Sep 11, 2012