Cultural Council

The Westborough Cultural Council is the local representative of the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), and is one of over three hundred local councils responsible to every community in the Commonwealth.  Our mission is to enhance the Town's cultural life.  We do this by awarding grants to deserving projects such as performances, field trips, school programs, concerts, broadcasts — programs that are part of people’s everyday lives.  Thanks to Local Cultural Councils, like Westborough, cultural activities are taking place in schools, cultural organizations, community centers, libraries, elder care facilities, town halls and parks; wherever communities come together.  Our mission is to support the cultural enrichment and creative opportunities that provide diversity and availability to all residents of our town.

 

Funding for grant awards is made possible through three sources.  Our local council receives funding from the State via the MA Cultural Council. Over the past few years, Governor Baker has proposed cutting the state budget for arts and culture.  In response, Councils spend time requesting their legislators to restore full funding, so far with success.  The second source of funding is through the annual Town budget.  Our Annual Town Meeting has consistently approved an appropriation to support our activities.  Finally we created ARTS IN COMMON  (AIC), both as a community festival and as a means to raise local funds to support the arts and culture in Westborough.  This free town-wide event invites the entire community to join together in a celebration of art, music, dance, food and fun. The day-long event features artists, musicians, performers and crafters from our local community.  Our Founding Sponsors – AMICA Insurance, Emseal Corporation, Marlborough Savings Bank (Main Street Bank), Richard and Diane Irwin, and Roche Brothers Supermarket have been loyal and generous supporters of AIC for nine years.  More recently, Central One Federal Credit Union, Barbara Cantwell of Ameriprise Financial, Representative Hannah Kane, and Digital Federal Credit Union have become Corporate Sponsors.  We thank them for their generous support in helping to keep the arts and humanities vibrant in Westborough. The Tenth Annual ARTS IN COMMON is scheduled for September 2018 on Bay State Green.

 

We hope that you share our belief that the cultural life of our community helps to define its character and purpose.  The Cultural Council will continue its efforts to bring meaningful programs and events to Westborough. Together, we can enrich the cultural life of our community and thus further promote Westborough as a thriving hub of activity in the Commonwealth.

 

The Cultural Council welcomes new ideas and new members.  The Council is comprised of volunteers appointed by the Selectmen. There are nine positions on the committee, although state parameters allow any number between five and twenty-two members. The members are volunteers from the community with an interest in or support of arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences. Diverse membership is highly desirable. Member terms are for three years.

 

Grant applicants must comply with our local guidelines, as well as state rules.  Online applications for event funding must be submitted by October 15 and must also: