Sudbury Cultural Council Funding Proposals Due October 15

The Sudbury Cultural Council invites nonprofit organizations and agencies, schools, and individuals to apply for grants that support cultural activities in the community for the 2013-2014 granting cycle. Applications must be postmarked by October 15, and applicants may apply for grants for programs that take place during an 18 month window of eligibility between July 1, preceding the application October deadline, and December 31, of the following year. That is, applicants may apply for projects that have already happened, with the knowledge that funding is not guaranteed.  

According to council spokesperson Ellen Gitelman these grants can support a variety of artistic and interpretive science projects and activities in the town of Sudbury, including exhibits, festivals, field trips, short-term artist residencies, performances, workshops and lectures. Events and programs connected to Sudbury’s 375th anniversary celebration in 2014 are highly encouraged. Proposals are evaluated by several criteria: benefit to the community, quality of the activity, evidence of planning, qualifications of the individuals leading the activity, track record of the sponsoring group, clarity of the proposal, and benefit to Sudbury residents. School related proposals must be for enrichment activities and not for programs, supplies or salaries that should be part of the school budget. Outreach is very important, so priority will be given to programs that reach the largest numbers of people.

This year, the Sudbury Cultural Council will distribute about $4250 in grants, an increase of $400 from 2013. Previously funded projects include: art projects such as the Sudbury Art Association’s Open Studios and Curtis Middle School art teacher Yael Kupiec Dar’s LEGO block famous artwork reproduction project, part of which was donated to Boston Children’s Hospital; projects at Goodnow Library such as Stephen Lewis’s display of part of his vast collection of international anti-war posters and the Sudbury Garden Club’s improvements to the Civil War statue that was renovated earlier in 2012; and the Haynes PTO for the presentation of “George W. Russell, Jr. & Co. - Clap Your Hands,” a performance that in demonstrates the changing roles of music in the African-American community.

For specific guidelines and complete information, contact Sudbury Cultural Council Chair Ellen Gitelman at sudburyculturalcouncil@gmail.com. Application forms and more information about the Local Cultural Council Program are available at www.mass-culture.org/lcc_public.aspx.  Application forms are also available at Goodnow Public Library, Atkinson Pool, and Sudbury Town Hall.