Published in the January 25, 2017 edition
LYNNFIELD — This year, the Lynnfield Cultural Council will distribute $4,837 in grants to 14 grant recipients in town.
The Lynnfield Cultural Council (LCC) is part of a network of 329 local Cultural Councils serving all 351 cities and towns in the commonwealth. The Massachusetts Cultural Council program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation and supports thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences, and humanities every year.
The state legislature provides an annual appropriation to the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, which then allocates funds to each community. According to LCC spokesperson Amber Vaccaro, these grants can support a variety of artistic projects and activities in town, including exhibits, festivals, field trips, short-term artist residencies, or performances in schools, workshops and lectures.
This year’s LCC-funded projects include the following:
• Creating Big with Tiny Robots: The purchase and exploration of a tiny robot developed for educational environments will provide students at Lynnfield Middle School with hands-on learning opportunities and increase interest in the STEM fields;
• Songbirds of the Northeast: A presentation featuring both images and recordings of the region’s songbirds held at the Lynnfield Public Library;
• Senior Center Dance: A lunch and dance party for senior citizens featuring a high energy DJ and certified dance instructor;
• STEAM School for Preschoolers: A series of three classes focusing on the art of well-known artists whose work is viewable at Boston-area museums and related STEAM activities;
• Whale Mobile: A science enrichment program for the Huckleberry Hill School featuring a life size blow up whale;
• Yoga and Nature Scavenger Hunt: A family scavenger hunt featuring cultural, historical, and nature locations that are meaningful to the town and incorporate mindfulness and yoga poses.
For a complete list of the programs funded in the coming year, visit the Lynnfield Cultural Council’s new website at https://www.lynnfieldculturalcouncil.org.
LCC’s funds are limited and, unfortunately, it is often not able to support the many worthwhile grant requests submitted. This year the LCC received a large increase in the number of applications and the process was highly competitive.
In funding grant requests, the LCC compares projects based on public benefit to the Lynnfield community. In assessing public benefit, the LCC looks for projects that reach a significant population proportional to the cost, demonstrate collaboration between town cultural organizations and build community within the town.
The LCC strives to fund new and innovative events that otherwise would not find sponsorship. Overall, it is important that the full LCC project portfolio serve a variety of demographics.
For specific guidelines and complete information on the LCC, contact Chairperson Amber Vaccaro at LynnfieldCC@gmail.com. The LLC will seek applications again in the fall. Application forms and more information about the Local Cultural Council Program are also available online at: https://www.lynnfieldculturalcouncil.org or https://www.mass-culture.org/.
The LCC would be happy to help promote local organizations and their events on its new website. Send updated contact information to: LynnfieldCC@gmail.com.
