Cultural Council seeks funding proposals

The Westminster Cultural Council has set an Oct.15, 2007, deadline for organizations, schools and individuals to apply for grants that support cultural activities in the community.

According to Council Chairwoman Donna DiRusso, these grants can support a variety of artistic projects and activities in Westminster - including exhibits, festivals, short-term artist residencies or performances in schools, workshops and lectures.

The Westminster Cultural Council will also entertain funding proposals from schools and youth groups through the PASS Program, a ticket subsidy program for schoolaged children.

The Westminster Cultural Council is part of a grassroots network of 329 local councils that serve every city and town in the state. The program is the largest, most decentralized one of its kind in the United States. The state legislature provides an annual appropriation to the Massachusetts Cultural Council, which then allocates funds to each local council.

This year the group is looking for two members to fill open positions. They will have two meetings at the end of October and the beginning of November in the Westminster Town Hall, to allocate grant funds. To get more information about joining the Westminster Cultural Council, or for specific guidelines and information about the grant applications, contact Susan Yraola, Westminster Cultural Council Secretary, at (978) 874-0489.

Application forms and more information about the local cultural council program are available on the Web at www.mass-culture.org/lccpublic.asp.