The cultural councils in Amherst and Pelham are seeking applications from organizations, schools and individuals to put on community-oriented arts, humanities and science programs.
Amherst has $25,300, and Pelham $4,400, that can be dispensed and used for activities such as performances in schools, workshops, exhibitions, festivals, field trips and short-term artist residencies.
Those interested have until Oct. 16 to submit proposals.
In Amherst, previous projects funded have included Hampshire College Gallery’s “Unfree Labor in the Age of Mass Incarceration,” the Connecticut River Mural Integrated Curriculum at the high school, and Hampshire Shakespeare Company performances at the Interdisciplinary Center for Renaissance Studies at the University of Massachusetts.
In Pelham, the council sponsored its own event, “Picturing Pelham” last year, as well as providing between $50 and $750 to other individuals and groups.
A council-sponsored event may happen again in Pelham, but member Nora Maroulis said the organization will prioritize projects that celebrate the town’s history, culture and environment.
“Mostly, we’re wanting to strongly encourage the town’s own artists, writers, performers to apply for available funding,” Maroulis said.
Application forms and more information about the Local Cultural Council Program are available online at www.mass-culture.org.
For more information, in Amherst contact Gigi Barnhill at curatorgbb@yahoo.com and in Pelham contact Maroulis at nora@wunderarts.com
The cultural councils are part of a network of 329 serving all 351 cities and towns in the state. Each year, local councils award more than $3 million in grants supporting more than 6,000 programs statewide.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com
