By Barbara Purchia
The Bedford Cultural Council (BCC) is a state-funded, community-based town committee whose mission is to support cultural projects with a Bedford focus. Grant money is awarded to local artists, educators, scientists, and others who are participating in the enrichment of Bedford’s cultural community. Funding flows to Bedford’s council from the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Local Cultural Council program.
“Rarely do volunteers have the pleasure of providing worry-free, unconditional financial support to artists and others in the cultural community without asking for something significant in return,” said Chairman Kenneth Gordon. “The real challenge is to get the word out. So few Bedford residents seem to realize that funds are available to support their projects.”
Local Cultural Councils fund concerts, theater, exhibits, festivals, school field trips, after school programs, lectures, and more. Projects take place in schools, community centers, libraries, elder care facilities, town halls, parks, and anywhere communities come together.
Anyone from Bedford or anyone whose project would benefit Bedford residents is eligible. Projects must be based in the arts and humanities, science and nature, education, local history, or in cultural diversity. The BCC looks for projects which encourage community-wide participation:Bedford-based non-profit organizations (arts, cultural, community, educational); local individual artists; projects focusing on nature, science or environmental education; projects celebrating local history; or projects celebrating cultural diversity. Awards are determined on whether a project meets the criteria. They do not involve the subjective opinion of the art involved in the application.
The council also awards PASS grants, available for schools to supplement educational programs, such as field trips. The Cultural Council cannot pay for transportation, school salaries, school capital expenses, or refreshments, as that is within the budget of the schools.Expenses, however— such as admission fees— can be funded. PASS awards make up only 5 percent of the total amount granted in a given year.
The Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Local Cultural Council (LCC) Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, humanities, and sciences annually. Each of the commonwealth’s 351 cities and towns has its own cultural council whose funding is determined by the Legislature. The amount is based on population and the relative wealth of the community. Bedford’s portion of the statewide cultural council funding pool has remained about $5,000 a year.
Over the past several years, groups have sought funding for a wide range of projects in Bedford. During 2012, the BCC awarded 11 grants including Bedford residents Halsey Burgund for Music for Journaling; Leslie Wittman for “What’s Cooking Bedford,” a video featuring cooks from diverse backgrounds demonstrating how to cook some of their favorite ethnic dishes and talking about their culture and background; and the Bedford Family Connection was funded for art supplies for the BFC playroom.
Sometimes the Cultural Council will fund only part of a larger project. Most grants are less than $500. Most of the grants are fully funded and typically — though not always — range from $250 to $500. Applicants from outside Bedford should partner with local non-profit arts, cultural, community or educational organizations, and provide a confirmation letter from the Bedford partner. Applicants are encouraged to seek additional funding outside the grant process to allow limited funds to support more projects.
Applications may be submitted starting September 1 must be received no later than October 15. The project should be completed within a year’s time.
The application process is even easier than in previous years. The Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) has provided two videos on their website (https://www.mass-culture.org/) to assist applicants with completing their applications – one which covers the application in general, the other focusing solely on the budget. The application forms are available in word and pdf and will be available on September 1 on the Bedford Cultural Council website: https://www.mass-culture.org/Bedford. Forms may be submitted electronically to [email protected] or via mail to
Bedford Cultural Council
Bedford Town Hall
10 Mudge Way
Bedford, MA 01730-2144
The applicant doesn’t need a fully formed project in mind to apply. The BCC can help them with the overall picture although they cannot provide advice as to whether the application will be accepted. People can contact any member of the BCC to talk about their project to see if it fits the criteria, as well as about any aspect of the application form or process. BCC members are: Ken Gordon (Chair), Cheryl Blalock, Linda Connelly, Breena Daniell, George Epple, Jane Franklin, Tim Gartland, Ginny Packer, and Barbara Purchia.
All applications are reviewed and applicants will be notified in November if their application did not meet the Cultural Council criteria. Award notification occurs in January. Projects in the arts, sciences, and humanities have the power to build healthier, more livable, and more vital communities. Contact the Bedford Cultural Council for more information at [email protected].
Loading ...
