Mass Cultural Council Staff
Each month Mass Cultural Council shares a round-up of grants, trainings, technical assistance resources, and opportunities for cultural organizations (a companion to our Useful Links page). This list is not meant to be exhaustive but a glimpse of what is on offer in the coming weeks. (We also publish a weekly Artist Opportunities listing.)
Funding
The Healey-Driscoll Administration has launched a second round of the Live Theater Tax Credit Program which will award up to $7 million in tax credits to support a range of productions, including pre-Broadway and pre-Off-Broadway shows, national tour launches, and regional theater productions. The Live Theater Tax Credit allows eligible theater companies to receive non-refundable credits equal to 35 percent of qualifying payroll costs, 25 percent of production and performance expenditures, and 25 percent of transportation expenditures. Credits may be carried forward for up to five years and are transferable. For this round, awards will be determined based on in-state production spending, with final allocations adjusted to align with the $7 million annual cap. Deadline: June 1, 2026.
National Forest Foundation’s Collaborative Capacity Program for Forests & Communities supports wildfire resilience, recreation opportunities, land and watershed restoration, and rural economies. Prioritizes shared decision-making and bringing together multiple perspectives to co-create solutions for forest stewardship or increasing Tribal co-stewardship of our National Forests and Grasslands. Deadline: May 4, 2026.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Catalyst Fund provides one-time grants of up to $7,500 to Massachusetts community organizations to strengthen capacity, improve infrastructure, and support planning to expand access to health care. These small, fast-turnaround grants are designed to spark innovation and create lasting impact. Deadline: May 5, 2026.
National Film Preservation Foundation offers Avant-Garde Masters Grants that provide cash preservation grants to support laboratory work to preserve significant examples of America’s avant-garde film heritage. Intent to apply deadline: May 8, 2026.
The City of Boston receives Community Development Block Grant funding from HUD through the Mayor’s Office of Housing, primarily for affordable housing and economic development. Up to 15% may support public services tied to economic development. Deadline: May 11, 2026. Many cities and towns offer CDBG funding. Check if yours is one of them, and work with your municipality to find the best ways to utilize them for the benefit of your community.
Massachusetts Office on Disability’s FY27 Municipal ADA Improvement Grant Program is open to cities, towns, municipal housing authorities, and municipal school districts. Register for the virtual information session May 21, 2026 from 1-2pm.
MAPC’s Call for Proposals: Accelerating Climate Resilience (ACR) FY27 Program seeks to accelerate climate resilience in the Metro Boston region by helping municipalities and community partners advance strategies that protect people, places, and communities from the impacts of climate change and is currently accepting proposals for 12-month projects (up to $50,000), with a preference for regional collaborations. Eligibility: In addition to the 101 cities and towns in the MAPC region, eligible lead applicants also include entities and/or organizations that work in and serve the people of the MAPC region. The organizations are defined as local 501(c)(3) community-based organizations, tribes, and Indigenous communities. Community-based organizations without 501(c)(3) status are encouraged to partner with their municipality to submit an application. Deadline: May 29, 2026 at 5pm.
Massachusetts State Historical Records Advisory Board is accepting applications for the Roving Archivist Program which connects stewards of historical records with a professional archivist. Typical grantees include historical societies, museums, historical commissions, special libraries, schools, community archives, and public libraries with local history collections. Deadline: June 1, 2026.
Department of Labor’s Innovative Approaches to Literacy supports programs that promote the development and improvement of literacy skills for children through 12th grade, specifically in high-need schools and local education agencies. Examples of eligible activities include enhancing library programs, early literacy services, and providing high-quality books to students. Eligible applicants include nonprofits (except higher education institutions), tribes, and independent school districts. Deadline: June 9, 2026.
National Endowment for the Humanities is currently accepting applications for Media Projects that supports the development, production, and distribution of radio programs, podcasts, documentary films, and documentary film series rooted in humanities scholarship. Deadline: June 25, 2026.
The City of Boston is hosting A Decade of Impact: 2027 Community Preservation Act grant launch virtually on May 6, 2026 at 6pm. The session will will review eligibility requirements, the application process, and more for the next grant cycle for Community Preservation Act grants that have an August 31, 2026 deadline.
Things to Attend
Register for a Mass Cultural Council regional grant celebration:
State House News Service and MASSterList host The AI Revolution in Massachusetts: Disruption, Risk, Opportunity on May 7, 2026 at 8am at the MCLE Conference Center in Boston, MA. As Massachusetts looks to both lead and regulate the AI revolution, join leading legislators and thought-leaders for a timely forum on AI’s challenges and opportunities.
Creative community leaders are invited to join the CreativeGround Community Leader Workshop on May 14, 2026 from 3-4:30pm. Connect virtually with other leaders and learn hands-on how to use CreativeGround.org as a free resource in your community.
Access/VSA International Network is offering Lightning Talk: Demystifying the Accommodation Process, Part 1: Employees, a webinar that will explain the interactive process that helps employees with disabilities get what they need. May 21, 2025 from 2-2:30pm.
Boston Public Health Commission and Health Resources in Action are hosting a free Youth Mental Health Summit and youth mental health 101 training, open to all experience levels. Breakfast and lunch are provided. Those who complete the full 6 hour training receive a certificate of completion. May 21, 2026 from 8:30am-4:30pm at Simmons University, 300 Fenway, Boston, MA.
Join Mass Cultural Council and the ArtStaysHere Coalition for a new Creative Space Development Network Accelerator (DNA) online discussion for those who are developing, operating, and advocating for a healthier creative space ecosystem across the state. May 29, 2026 at 12pm.
MASSCreative’s Creative Sector Summit brings together artists, educators, advocates, and public officials featuring panels and workshops that support community organizing, coalition building, and advocacy within the creative sector. June 12, 2026 at 10:30am.
The City of Boston’s Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement is offering free, in-person Professional Development Trainings for all youth-serving professionals in Boston.
Other
Bring exciting and dynamic arts programming to students with disabilities preK-grade 12 – become an Access/VSA Program Site. The Office of Accessibility and VSA seeks U.S. arts, education, and cultural organizations to provide accessible, arts-based education experiences to students with disabilities. U.S. organizations are invited to submit proposals to implement Access/VSA Programs. Contract term: Oct. 1, 2026 – Sept. 30, 2027. Deadline: June 5, 2026.
The National Endowment for the Arts’ new report The Great Connector: How Arts Participation Renews Civic and Community Engagement explores whether and how taking part in arts events and activities can build social and civic muscle.
Looking for ways to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution? Check out Mass Office of Travel & Tourism’s Mass250 Event page and Mass Humanities’ A People’s Guide to the Revolution for information on events, exhibits, special tours, programs, festivals, performances, and more.
Read Previous Months’ Listings
If you have an opportunity or resource for cultural organizations that you’d like to pitch for our monthly round-up, please email us. Efforts to submit the opportunity in a format similar to our standard (see listings above) are deeply appreciated. Because space is limited, the best submissions are 60 words or fewer and include links to web pages with more information.