Money for Arts and Cultural Initiatives

MONEY AVAILABLE FOR ARTS AND CULTURAL INITIATIVES IN BOURNE

From Where does the Money Come?

Every year the Town of Bourne and nearly every other city or town in Massachusetts receives a sum of money from the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC). Each local cultural council (LCC) receives an annual allocation from the MCC in proportion to the town's population. The public funding is to be used for the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences.

The Mission of the MCC Is As Follows:

The mission of the Massachusetts Cultural Council is to promote excellence, access, education, and diversity in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences in order to improve the quality of life for all Massachusetts residents and to contribute to the economic vitality of our communities.

Where Does the Money Go?

The Bourne Cultural Council receives applications from arts and cultural groups from within the Town of Bourne and surrounding communities, as well as from all over the State of Massachusetts.

Some applicants apply to multiple towns for support because their proposal or program benefits residents of a larger geographical area. The Bourne Cultural Council gives preference to those proposals that will directly benefit the residents of the Town of Bourne. In addition to community arts and cultural programs funding, the Council provides support for school groups who would like to attend arts or cultural events outside of school, or bring approved performers or arts programs into the school.

Who Can Apply for Funds?

Arts, cultural or community organizations, artists, performers, historians, educators or civic groups from within or outside of the Town of Bourne may apply for funds.

Who Can Receive Funds?

The state regulates that the fund received by the individual or organization applying must be used to benefit the public. Examples of proposals that are allowable under the State guidelines include funding to support the creation of exhibits, concerts, festivals, and performances, to improve or create an historical or educational display or present an educational or cultural program, to support administrative costs or publicity, and to subsidize ticket costs for school groups attending performances theaters, museums or cultural organizations.

Not allowable under the state guidelines is general funding for individual artists, performers, etc. unless those funds are directly associated with a presentation, event or product that benefits the public.

How Does One Apply?

The money from the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) is allocated to each town in an annual allotment. The Bourne Cultural Council oversees the granting of those funds to qualified applicants according to an annual grant cycle established by the state. The annual grant cycle is outlined below:

Annual Grant Cycle:

Application information is available at Town Hall, Bourne Library and the Bourne Community Center.

Application forms are available online on the Massachusetts Cultural Council Website.

Application Deadline: Applications must be received or postmarked by October 15, 2015 to be considered.

Applicants should send application to:

Patti Parker, Treasurer
Bourne Cultural Council
PO Box 512
Cataumet, MA 02534