Dan Blask, Program Manager
Mass Cultural Council plans to pause its Artist Fellowships program for the current grant cycle (Fiscal Year 2023). Pending confirmation by the Agency’s governing Council in late August, this would mean no Artist Fellowships applications will be accepted in Fall 2022 or Winter/Spring 2023.
It’s an honor for Mass Cultural Council to support artists from every community across the Commonwealth. We are proud to have funded thousands of exciting Massachusetts artists over the years.
Currently, the Agency is actively engaged in a three-year Racial Equity Plan. As part of that plan, we are evaluating all programs with a focus on racial equity and expanding access to funding and programmatic resources. Pausing Artist Fellowships this year will allow our team the opportunity to reflect and reframe our programs for artists and creatives. We expect to seek perspectives from a wide diversity of voices to help guide this work.
In the meantime, Mass Cultural Council is excited to offer the Cultural Sector Recovery Grants for Individuals in FY23, a $15 million, one-time historic investment in artists, creatives, culture bearers, and cultural sector gig workers, as well as other opportunities for creative individuals:
Cultural Sector Recovery Grants for Individuals
This one-time pandemic recovery program provides unrestricted grants of $5,000 for artists, creatives, and gig workers to support recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and set a path for growth.
Application opens: August 15, 2022
Application deadline: November 1, 2022
Local Cultural Council Program
Every community in Massachusetts is served by a Local Cultural Council (LCC) that funds local arts and cultural projects. Most LCCs accept applications from individuals. Grants are a minimum of $250 and applications are made directly to each LCC.
Application opens: September 1, 2022
Application deadline: October 17, 2022
STARS Residencies
STARS Residencies bring students and teachers together with practicing artists, scientists, and scholars to create rich cultural experiences in the classroom. Any Massachusetts school serving grades K-12 is eligible to host one residency per school year and schools, teaching artists, and cultural organizations are eligible to apply. STARS Residencies offer a minimum grant of $2,500 and last a minimum of three days.
Application opens: September 28, 2022
Application deadline: October 25, 2022
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