MCC Guidelines and Priorities 2025

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Montague Cultural Council Guidelines 2025

Applicants can be: arts, humanities, or interpretive science organizations; individuals, including artists, science educators, historians or other humanists, parents, or community members; or community organizations including, but not limited to, schools, social service organizations, civic groups, neighborhood centers, or youth, senior and family associations.

Please read the section on eligibility in the Mass Cultural Council LCC Program Guidelines PDF: https://massculturalcouncil.org/documents/lccguidelines.pdf

Evaluation of applications:

Grant applications are evaluated based on several review criteria: artistic or creative merit; project design; qualifications and track record of the individuals and organizations involved; physical accessibility of any facilities being used; and Montague community benefit and involvement. Montague-based applicants and programs are given preference over those based in other towns.

Projects may include the participation of outside professionals. The Council seeks to support new, innovative projects rather than recurring requests. The Council has determined that its allocation of funds is most effective when larger percentages of its limited resources are provided to fewer projects that represent the potential capacity to reach a broad cross-section of the Montague community.

Proposals from schools and libraries cannot include requests for support of expenses that should be or have been part of the municipal budget (i.e. teacher salaries, classroom supplies, school-sponsored clubs and organizations, library books/videos).

Timeline for applications

New grant cycle begins September 1, 2024
Application deadline: October 16, 2024
Notification of disapproved applications: November – December, 2024
Final notification of approved applications: on or before January 16, 2025
Grantees must claim award or request an extension by Dec 31, 2025
Final reports due: by January 16, 2026

Application process

All applications must be submitted through the LCC grants page on the Massachusetts Cultural

REGISTER AND APPLY HERE

Montague Cultural Council Priorities 2025

The Montague Cultural Council wishes to encourage proposals from a broad range of applicants and to fund programs that allow Montague residents in all five villages to experience a diverse array of cultural events.

We weigh many factors when making decisions about which proposals to fund. This year we will look most favorably on:

• Projects which focus on Cultural Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Projects that elevate the voices and experiences of historically-marginalized groups to highlight the current and historical diversity of Montague. Projects should create opportunities for artists and community members who identify as Black, Indigenous, POC, LGBTQX, Latinx, refugee, immigrant, or person living with a disability.
• Projects based on Montague hIstory or science projects
• Montague based creative projects
• Projects which demonstrate community support and planning will be prioritized.

In your application, you should:

• Tell us how your program will have significant public benefit for Montague residents.
• Describe specific efforts you will make to ensure that your program is accessible and
• inclusive.
• Explain how the work will be shared with the general public.
• Tell us how your program will increase opportunities for underserved audiences
• In your application, you must:
• Demonstrate that you have thoroughly considered the logistics of implementing your
• project.
• Provide as much specific information as possible about venue, costs, collaborators, and
• scheduling.
• Please Include letters of support from venues and collaborators if you can. The online application system will allow you to upload supplemental materials. If you are unable to upload, you can email or mail documents to the address below.

(Email is preferred whenever possible.)

Email: culturalcouncil@montague-ma.gov

Mailing Address: Montague Cultural Council, Montague Town Hall, 1 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 01376-1128