( * NOTE: the following information is subject to all State
    mandated pandemic restrictions . . . )
Organizations, schools and individuals may apply for FY 2023 grants to enable cultural activities in their communities.* These grants can support a variety of artistic projects and activities in Agawam -- including exhibits, festivals, short-term artist residencies, as well as performances, workshops and lectures in the schools. Our mandate is primarily to enable projects that support the Arts, Humanities, and Sciences in our community.
- Scroll down to "The Grant Application Process" to begin. -

ARTISTS! -- Looking for funding beyond local grants to support your work? Click here, and follow the links to find ideas and opportunities for artists,
information on fellowships, apprenticeships, work spaces and more!
PLUS, click here to join a free "Artist Appreciation" event on Aug. 18, 2022 from the Small Business Association and the MCC:
SBA Funding Opportunities for Individual Artists.

 

The BIG YELLOW SCHOOL BUS! ........
 ( NOTE: This grants program is still on hiatus due to the pandemic. ) 
 
The Big Yellow School Bus program from the MCC provides $250 grants to help schools meet the transportation costs of educational field trips to cultural institutions and activities in Massachusetts only. Any K-12 school in Massachusetts is eligible to apply for a $250 grant to be used during the school year.
Schools are eligible for only one BYSB grant per school year.
(Currently, the MCC is considering requests for Field Trip grants to be the same as all other Grant types, and has not created a separate application for them at this time.
Please see the regular Grant Applications Process, below.)
Applications for available funds are reviewed on a "first-received, first-funded" basis, for as long as funds last. Within two weeks of receipt of the application, you will be notified via e-mail about the status of your application. Some restrictions apply.
The online application for Big Yellow School Bus grants, plus program guidelines and current information on the BYSB program can be found by clicking on the school bus:
;;;;;;;;;;;;;

 

THE GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS -

We strongly suggest that you first become familiar with
the Local Cultural Council Program by visiting
the Massachusetts Cultural Council here.

* * * * * *

For FY 2023, the Agawam Cultural Council's allocation of State funds dedicated to supporting Arts and Culture in our local community totals more than $20,000! Funds designated for grant dispersal by the Agawam Cultural Council are provided by the state under the auspices of the Mass. Cultural Council.
The Local Cultural Council Program, of which the Agawam Cultural Council is a part, is a grant program of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. The MCC provides allocations to each of Massachusetts' 351 cities and towns to support cultural activities. This is the largest program of its kind in the United States.
 

Local Guidelines: (not yet updated)

a) Applicants must have a local Partner/Venue in Agawam.*
        * A partial list of possible sponsoring venues in Agawam
            can be found here.

b) The Agawam Cultural Council will also entertain grant requests from schools and youth groups to cover ticket and transportation costs of field trips for school-age children.

c) The ACC can NO LONGER accept paper applications. All applications must now be submitted ONLINE. For details of the online application process, click here.
For an application form, click here to be taken to the MCC/Agawam website, then scroll down on that page to click the "APPLY NOW" button.
 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Must the applicant be a town resident?     No

May institutions as well as individuals apply?     Yes

Must the event be open to the public?     Yes
    (Exceptions -- venues such as schools or nursing homes.)

Must the project have a specified date?     No

May the project have an estimated date?     Yes

Must the project have a specific location or committed venue?     Yes
    NOTE: Applications without an arranged venue will go unfunded.

Is a letter of confirmation, support or intent from a sponsoring institution required?       Yes
(for this purpose, "venue" and "institution" are interchangeable.)

Is a sample (or previously published review, etc.) of the artist's work required?       Yes
      Please Note this information from the MCC website:
 
  "If a council requires support materials, such as an artist's resume,
   a flyer for the project, a support letter, photo or newspaper review,
   the applicant must present such materials collected as up to three
   PDF files with no size limit, to be uploaded as part of the online
   application. These PDFs will be collated with the application,
   and included in the panel book that is delivered to the local council
   for consideration of the grant."
   (Instructions for converting and truncating PDFs are included
   in the grant application.)

Must the applicant or an institutional representative be available to attend an ACC meeting after the submission period has closed, to answer questions about the application that they submitted?      Yes   (If requested)

/ / /

Questions not answered here?
Queries should be sent to the ACC e-mail address at: agawamcc@yahoo.com,
or you may call Council Chair, Bob Kadis at (413) 789-4814,
or send an e-mail directly to: r.kadis@comcast.net

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