The application deadline for a Bedford Cultural Council (BCC) grant is coming up on Tuesday, Oct. 17. With only a short amount of time left to apply, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions:
- Who is eligible for a grant?
Any project, program, or performance with cultural impact that takes place in Bedford or invites Bedford residents to participate is eligible. Ideas in the past have ranged from Bedford Public Schools’ plays to cultural celebrations such as Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Holi to comedy and music performances at the Council on Aging. The BCC interprets the scope of “culture” broadly: visual and performing arts, music, science, nature, history, and ethnic and cultural festivals, lectures, or performances are all welcome. All programs must be open to the public.
- How much money can I request?
Grant awards are typically $250-$500. Following Bedford Cultural Council guidelines, projects cannot expect a grant to be their sole source of funding, and it’s common that the BCC can only award part of the request that’s made. With the generous, but limited amount of money that’s made available to the BCC each year, the council tries to give as many projects as possible at least a portion of what they have requested.
- What do I have to submit with my application?
The full guidelines are on the BCC website and the Mass Cultural Council’s (MCC), but the basics are that your submission should contain: a budget; an explanation of your other sources of funding; a description of the project or program and how it will enhance cultural offerings in Bedford; a solid timeline for implementing the project before Dec. 31, 2024.
In addition, if your organization is not based in Bedford, you must submit a letter of support from a Bedford organization or individual. And if you plan to use resources that require permitting or other authorization from a third party, you must be able to show that your activities have been approved by the entity that controls those resources. This does not apply to public resources that require reservations (such as a room at the Library or Town Center), but does apply, for example, to any activity on Town land that would require Select Board approval or other permits. If in doubt, please get in touch with the BCC.
- How do I apply?
Submit your application through the MCC online grants system by Tuesday, Oct. 17. Please feel free to reach out to any member of the BCC (listed on their website) or email us at [email protected].
Be sure to follow the BCC on Facebook, too, to see all the awardees and get updates about their programs.
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