Dan Blask, Program Manager
Mass Cultural Council believes that creativity is a vital part of a thriving society. We are proud to announce that we are now accepting applications to the Grants for Creative Individuals, a program to equitably advance creative expression throughout the Commonwealth’s diverse communities.
The program offers unrestricted, $5,000 grants to artists, culture bearers, and creative practitioners. We welcome applications from individuals in all creative fields: visual artists, literary artists, theater artists, performers, film/media artists, music artists, designers, culture bearers/traditional artists, drag artists, cross-disciplinary artists, and more.
The application process is brief and inclusive. This fiscal year (FY25), we plan to award approximately 435 grants through a review process that includes geographic distribution, funding priorities, and scores from reviewers from the Massachusetts creative/cultural sector. Reviewers will prioritize applications based on the program mission: to equitably advance creativity throughout the Commonwealth with unrestricted grants to individuals who demonstrate achievement of creative expression and commitment to their artistic/cultural practice.
NEW THIS YEAR: as mentioned above, the review process includes funding priorities (meaning applicants who meet these priorities will receive a modest ratings advantage in the review). This year, we have added a new funding priority for artists who are veterans of the United States Armed Services. Also new: applicants who meet our definition of a culture bearer/traditional artist can now apply for support of their own work or for work in a traditional arts apprenticeships with another Massachusetts artist.
Read our Tips on Applying to the Grants for Creative Individuals.
Grants for Creative Individuals is our primary funding program to support artists and creatives. It incorporates aspects of past Mass Cultural Council programs for artists and creative individuals, including the Artist Fellowships, Cultural Sector Recovery Grants for Individuals, and Traditional Arts Apprenticeships. The program was launched in FY24 as part of the Agency’s Racial Equity Plan.
If you have questions about the Grants for Creative Individuals program, check the FAQs or join us for an online information session on October 2, 2024, at 2pm. If you cannot attend the info session, please note a recorded version will be added to Mass Cultural Council’s YouTube Channel in early October.
You can also ask questions of staff at online office hours on Thursdays in September/October, at 11am.
The deadline to apply is 11:59pm (ET) on October 24, 2024.
