Medford Arts Council Funds 2021 Projects

This past year, difficult for so many, has been particularly devastating for the arts. With galleries, performance spaces, and cultural institutions still shuttered, those who make a living contributing to the cultural fabric of our City have been extremely hard hit. The Medford Arts Council is therefore very proud to have been able to fully fund every project proposed to us that met our guidelines and requirements. Altogether, 36 projects were funded to benefit the Medford community as we begin to think about returning to a new normal. A full list of recipients can be found at: medfordartscouncil.org/2021-grant-recipients.

Some notable projects include $1,500 towards a collaboration between the West Medford Community Center and the Medford Historical Society and Museum, entitled “Medford Neighborhoods: Notes from the Village: West Medford Then and Now”. This project will take the form of a series of discussions and lectures about the history of West Medford, which includes the strong Black community settled here just after the Civil War. MAC is also proud to continue funding large-scale community projects, such as the West Medford Open Studios and WMCC’s First Fridays Words and Music.

Many projects funded for 2021 were necessarily socially-distant or virtual as we continue to reexamine how we will present cultural events moving forward. We provided funding for virtual ballroom dance classes for the general public to Dance Caliente and a teen drama project from actor and director Jennifer Lewis, cosponsored by the Medford Public Library and Medford High School, that will guide teens through writing and performing an original play online.

Overall, the average grant for 2021 was $1,833, an increase of 41% over last year.

Established in 1980, the Medford Arts Council is a city-appointed commission of volunteers dedicated to bringing high-quality cultural programming to the community. The funds we distribute are an annual allocation from the Massachusetts Cultural Council through their Local Cultural Council (LCC) program. The Council also receives funding from the City of Medford.