LOCAL CULTURAL COUNCIL GRANT ROUND - Application Opens September 2021
These grants can support a variety of artistic projects and activities in Northampton, Florence, and Leeds -- including exhibits, festivals, short-term artist residencies, scholarships, or performances in schools, workshops, virtual presentations, and lectures that take place between January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021. The Northampton Arts Council will award up to $to be announced in grants.
The Northampton Arts Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The LCC Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences and humanities every year. The state legislature provides an annual appropriation to the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, which then allocates funds to each community. https://massculturalcouncil.org
In the Fall of 2020 the Northampton Arts Council awarded and funded 35 grants totaling $21,960 in support of a variety of projects from funds allocated by the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s LCC program as well as locally raised funds. The caliber of applications of last year's round were outstanding, and we were unable to fund many worthy projects. Grant awards ranged from $250-$1200. The Arts Council received 78 requests for almost $108,269 of funding.
Grants are awarded in the following categories: Dance, Media Arts, Multidisciplinary Arts, Music, Theater and Visual Arts.
Important Dates To Be Announced
Online Application Opens:
Grant Writing Workshop:
Online Application Deadline:
Disapproval emails sent out by:
Approval emails sent out by:
LCC Annual Report submitted:
Northampton Local Cultural Council Grant Priorities FY21
More Information and Resources
After the application deadline, contact your LCC. Councils can decide if they would like to do any follow-up to applicants after receiving their application, which will happen after November 16. Even if you haven’t contacted them, you may hear from them if they would like to ask questions or collect additional information.
Will I receive notice of whether my application has been accepted via postal mail or email?
LCC’s have the option to send denial and acceptance letters via email or postal mail. Most councils will choose to send emails. If you haven’t received news by the end of February, try contacting the council.
Will the reimbursement process be moving online as well?
No. The reimbursement process will not move online this year. More information on the LCC reimbursement process here.
I have another question that isn’t answered here.
If you have a technical issue or a question about the online application, please email MCC_help_desk@art.state.ma.us or call 617-858-2721.
LCC’s have the option to send denial and acceptance letters via email or postal mail. Most councils will choose to send emails. If you haven’t received news by the end of February, try contacting the council.
Will the reimbursement process be moving online as well?
No. The reimbursement process will not move online this year. More information on the LCC reimbursement process here.
I have another question that isn’t answered here.
If you have a technical issue or a question about the online application, please email MCC_help_desk@art.state.ma.us or call 617-858-2721.
If you have a questions about Northampton Arts Council's priorities, please email admin@northamptonartscouncil.org.
________________________________________ArtsEZ GRANT ROUND - OPENS SPRING 2022
The Northampton Arts Council is a unique Local Cultural Council in that it offers a second round of grants every spring with money raised through annual events like Transperformance, First Night Northampton, and the Four Sundays in February Series.
Funds are available to projects that take place in Northampton, Florence, and Leeds in the following categories: Dance, Film/Video, Literature, Mixed Media, Music, Schools, Theater, and Visual Arts.
Last spring, the Council awarded $20,000 to 29 recipients with grants ranging from $250-$1500. This spring we will award up to $20,000 to projects that must start no earlier than July 1, 2020, and must be completed by June 30, 2021. A list of past grant recipients is here.
ONLY ONLINE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED.
--Northampton-based artists.
--If you reside in another city, your project must be held in Northampton, Florence, or Leeds.
--Work demonstrating the highest artistic/cultural merit.
--Projects that include a public component that clearly benefit the residents of Northampton such as an exhibition, literary reading or performance held in Northampton, Florence, or Leeds.
--Non-profit cultural and educational institutions that offer programs and events which bring arts and culture to a Northampton audience.
--Projects that are feasible (secured venue & other funding sources)
--Schools, not artists, should apply for projects that take place in schools.
What Happens if You Receive a Grant in the Spring?
ArtsEZ Spring Grant Reimbursement Information HERE
Funds are awarded on a reimbursement basis only. Request for payment must be made within twelve months of notification of grant award. In addition, all successful applicants must properly credit the Northampton Arts Council for providing funds to the project in all press materials, posters, programs, announcements, paid advertising by putting the Northampton Arts Council logo on the press materials. Failure to do so will result in loss of funding. An example of proper credit would be: "This program is supported in part by a grant from the Northampton Arts Council" as well as adding our logo to the marketing materials.
How does the Arts Council decide which grant proposals get funded?
The volunteer board members of the Arts Council review each grant. Each board member is assigned a grant category and carefully reads every proposal in that category, following up with the artists for additional information if necessary. Each assigned board member then presents all the grants in his/her category to the entire board during the grant review meeting. After hearing presentations on all the grant submissions, each board member scores each grant proposal in three categories: Artistic Integrity (0-10), Community Impact (0-3), and Feasibility (0-3). Each Board member’s score for each grant is calculated and averaged into a total score.
The Northampton Arts Council is a unique Local Cultural Council in that it offers a second round of grants every spring with money raised through annual events like Transperformance, First Night Northampton, and the Four Sundays in February Series.
Funds are available to projects that take place in Northampton, Florence, and Leeds in the following categories: Dance, Film/Video, Literature, Mixed Media, Music, Schools, Theater, and Visual Arts.
Last spring, the Council awarded $20,000 to 29 recipients with grants ranging from $250-$1500. This spring we will award up to $20,000 to projects that must start no earlier than July 1, 2020, and must be completed by June 30, 2021. A list of past grant recipients is here.
ONLY ONLINE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED.
- ArtsEZ Spring Grant Guidelines are being updated
- List of Local Venues/Spaces HERE
- Funding for project proposals that will be completed between 7/1/22 - 6/31/23
- ONLY ONLINE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED
- Northampton Arts Council Logo & MCC Logo
--Northampton-based artists.
--If you reside in another city, your project must be held in Northampton, Florence, or Leeds.
--Work demonstrating the highest artistic/cultural merit.
--Projects that include a public component that clearly benefit the residents of Northampton such as an exhibition, literary reading or performance held in Northampton, Florence, or Leeds.
--Non-profit cultural and educational institutions that offer programs and events which bring arts and culture to a Northampton audience.
--Projects that are feasible (secured venue & other funding sources)
--Schools, not artists, should apply for projects that take place in schools.
What Happens if You Receive a Grant in the Spring?
ArtsEZ Spring Grant Reimbursement Information HERE
Funds are awarded on a reimbursement basis only. Request for payment must be made within twelve months of notification of grant award. In addition, all successful applicants must properly credit the Northampton Arts Council for providing funds to the project in all press materials, posters, programs, announcements, paid advertising by putting the Northampton Arts Council logo on the press materials. Failure to do so will result in loss of funding. An example of proper credit would be: "This program is supported in part by a grant from the Northampton Arts Council" as well as adding our logo to the marketing materials.
How does the Arts Council decide which grant proposals get funded?
The volunteer board members of the Arts Council review each grant. Each board member is assigned a grant category and carefully reads every proposal in that category, following up with the artists for additional information if necessary. Each assigned board member then presents all the grants in his/her category to the entire board during the grant review meeting. After hearing presentations on all the grant submissions, each board member scores each grant proposal in three categories: Artistic Integrity (0-10), Community Impact (0-3), and Feasibility (0-3). Each Board member’s score for each grant is calculated and averaged into a total score.
_________________________________________________________________
BJ GOODWIN MEMORIAL FUND - Now accepting proposals
In honor of BJ Goodwin--performer, dancer, and educator--the Northampton Arts Council has formed a new grant program for the arts community. The BJ Goodwin Grant is designed to provide direct assistance to a Northampton-based artist, writer or arts organization in recognition of exceptional work and to support the further development of artistic talents. It is our hope that this grant opportunity will also provide artists with recognition and affirmation from their peers and the public. Individuals or organizations that are considered for this grant have already demonstrated their exceptional work within our community and are looking for supplemental funding to bring their work outside our region to another country or another region within the U.S. If you are interested in applying for the BJ Goodwin Grant please email bfoote@northamptonma.gov or call (413) 587-1069.
Good example of BJ Goodwin proposal is here
History of BJ Goodwin Fund here
BJ Goodwin Donation Sheet here
The Northampton Arts Council accepts donations from the community that go towards the building of this special fund. To donate to the BJ Goodwin Fund click here, please write "BJ Goodwin" in note section to define the donation. Donations are tax-deductible.
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TRANSPERFORMANCE MUSIC BENEFIT was established to provide support to Northampton’s most promising young artists. Every year, the Northampton Arts Council directly donates a portion of the proceeds from Transperformance to the Parent Teacher Organizations of Northampton High School, JFK Middle School, RK Finn Ryan Road, Leeds Elementary, Bridge Street School, and Jackson Street School. The funds are earmarked for arts education and enrichment. Donations are tax-deductible.
____________________________________________________________________
In honor of BJ Goodwin--performer, dancer, and educator--the Northampton Arts Council has formed a new grant program for the arts community. The BJ Goodwin Grant is designed to provide direct assistance to a Northampton-based artist, writer or arts organization in recognition of exceptional work and to support the further development of artistic talents. It is our hope that this grant opportunity will also provide artists with recognition and affirmation from their peers and the public. Individuals or organizations that are considered for this grant have already demonstrated their exceptional work within our community and are looking for supplemental funding to bring their work outside our region to another country or another region within the U.S. If you are interested in applying for the BJ Goodwin Grant please email bfoote@northamptonma.gov or call (413) 587-1069.
Good example of BJ Goodwin proposal is here
History of BJ Goodwin Fund here
BJ Goodwin Donation Sheet here
The Northampton Arts Council accepts donations from the community that go towards the building of this special fund. To donate to the BJ Goodwin Fund click here, please write "BJ Goodwin" in note section to define the donation. Donations are tax-deductible.
_____________________________________________________________________
TRANSPERFORMANCE MUSIC BENEFIT was established to provide support to Northampton’s most promising young artists. Every year, the Northampton Arts Council directly donates a portion of the proceeds from Transperformance to the Parent Teacher Organizations of Northampton High School, JFK Middle School, RK Finn Ryan Road, Leeds Elementary, Bridge Street School, and Jackson Street School. The funds are earmarked for arts education and enrichment. Donations are tax-deductible.
____________________________________________________________________
Conflict of Interest Policy
To ensure that members of the Northampton Arts Council are free from conflicts of interest, board members are required to disclose any current or prospective affiliations they or their immediate family members have with an actual or potential applicant. “Affiliations” applies to employment, board memberships, independent contractual relationships, advisory or policy relationships, substantial contributor relationships, or other financial relationships. In addition, panelists are required to disclose any past or current adversarial relationships with actual or potential applicants. Arts Council board members and staff who apply for a grant recuse themselves entirely from participating in the review process and allocation determinations of their grant application.
To ensure that members of the Northampton Arts Council are free from conflicts of interest, board members are required to disclose any current or prospective affiliations they or their immediate family members have with an actual or potential applicant. “Affiliations” applies to employment, board memberships, independent contractual relationships, advisory or policy relationships, substantial contributor relationships, or other financial relationships. In addition, panelists are required to disclose any past or current adversarial relationships with actual or potential applicants. Arts Council board members and staff who apply for a grant recuse themselves entirely from participating in the review process and allocation determinations of their grant application.
