Ayer Cultural Council 2021 Grant Period Open to Applications

The Mass Cultural Council (MCC)'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 year, LCCs award more than $3 million in grants to more than 6,000 cultural programs statewide. The program promotes cultural availability for all state residents. LCC funds may only be used to support programs in the arts, humanities and sciences in Massachusetts. The ACC also has local funding available to supplement state funds.

Ayer Cultural Council (ACC) is the agency representing the MCC for the town of Ayer, reviewing and determining grants for local and other regional applicants.

The current cycle of grants to be considered will take place during the 12-month window of January 1 through December 31, 2021. Applicants must reside in Massachusetts and should have been engaged in the kind of activity for which funds are requested for at least one year. Applicants may apply for projects, operating support, ticket subsidy programs, field trips, artist residencies, fellowships or other activities. LCC grants can also fund cultural field trips and events for children in grades pre-K through 12 (performances, educational tours, exhibits, etc.).

In order to apply for an LCC grant, applicants must meet all eligibility and criteria requirements of the LCC Program. Anyone included in the list below may apply:

• Individuals must show public benefits from the project for which they are applying.
• Incorporated private nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit preschool, elementary, middle and high schools are subject to the same criteria and restrictions as public schools.
• Unincorporated associations that can establish a nonprofit objective. A group of individuals coming together with a common purpose (e.g., local community band, theater group) that do not have nonprofit status.
• Public schools, libraries, other municipal agencies and the local cultural council itself. Municipal agencies are eligible to apply for funding.
• Religious organizations. Religious organizations or groups with a religious affiliation are eligible to apply for funding of cultural programming available to the general public.

Councils make funding decisions that best meet the particular needs and priorities of their community within the parameters of the state guidelines and council priorities. For more detailed information about eligibility requirements, visit the MCC online at www.mass-culture.org.

As we progress through COVID-19 times, grants may be authorized for events that ultimately end up having to be canceled. In such instances, as done during the 2020 cycle, applicants may request a grant extension into the following year. Each of these instances will be evaluated individually.

Are you in the Interested in applying for a 2021 LCC Grant through the Ayer Cultural Council? In response to the pandemic, the deadline for applications has been extended to December 14, 2020. Applications are accepted electronically only and are accessible online through the MCC website at www.mass-culture.org.