Cultural council funding becomes available
By Caitlyn Kelleher
The area cultural councils are getting ready to

decide what projects they are going to support this year after receiving funding from the state.

State Rep. Robert L. Rice, Jr. (D-Gardner) announced that Ashburnham and Ashby's cultural council will receive $4,000 this year. Rice with state Senators Stephen Brewer and Robert A. Antonioni announced this funding for the local organizations that support projects throughout the towns.

Westminster's and Townsend's Cultural Councils also received $4,000 in grant money.

Every year, the Massachusetts Legislature appropriates funds for the Massachusetts Cultural Councils which it uses to support community based projects that explore local arts and history, expand education and accessibility, and to celebrate diversity.

MCC's Local Cultural Council program awards funds to all 329 local cultural councils in the Commonwealth. Local boards of municipally appointed volunteers decide which specific community activities will be funded by this program

"The MCC's local program is such a success at the local level because it allows those who know best - the council members - decide exactly how they will use their award," said Brewer. "There is no doubt in my mind that these councils have great plans for these funds and that they will continue to enrich the lives of their neighbors through cultural programming that many would not have the opportunity to partake in otherwise."

This fall, MCC will distribute more than $8 million in direct grants to support cultural organizations, schools, local cultural councils and artists in every city and town in the state.

"I am proud to support and encourage community-based projects that explore local history, the arts, music, and other cultural programs," Rice said.

Forms for the applications are available on the state's Web site at www.mass-culture. org/lcc_home.asp.