Calling All Artists

This article was submitted by Laura Smith of the Swampscott Cultural Council.

The (SCC) is urging local artists to apply for grants given by the Massachusetts Cultural Council to foster artistic events in communities across the state.

The MCC grants are awarded by Local Cultural Councils (LCCs) such as the SCC to artists or groups who present workshops or performances in libraries or other town or city locales. The grants are intended to support local arts and history, fund school field trips, and sponsor concerts and exhibitions.

MCC grants to LCCs range from $3,870 for the smallest towns to $74,270 for Worcester and $133,320 for Boston, according to a formula that reflects the state's local aid system. Swampscott received about $4,200 last year, according to SCC chairwoman Wendy Frisch.

“We are grateful for the level funding from the state this year. The arts add a vibrant layer to our society that is so important. The SCC directly enriches the lives of many Swampscott residents, from children to seniors, by funding a wide variety of the arts, humanities, and Interpretive sciences,” Frisch added. 

The SCC last year awarded grants ranging from $400 to $600 to nearly a dozen groups, including the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra, the Swampscott Arts Assocation, Dance Caliente, the Paul Madore Chorale, the Concert Singers, poet Yetti Frenkel, painter Greg Maichek and author Julie Hahnke. The SCC also funded the Joyful Noise event at Congregation Shirat Hayam, Art Quest at Hadley and Stanley Elementary Schools, and part of the Andrews Chapel Restoration.

The application deadline for 2012 grants is Oct. 15. Applicants may download forms at the following websites:

Standard Grant Application -
http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/applications/lccapp.doc

Field Trip Grant Application (formerly known as the “PASS Application”) -
http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/applications/passapp.doc