The Wellesley Cultural Council is accepting applications from artists, performers, educators and/or organizations for projects that enrich the cultural life of the residents of Wellesley. Applicants may seek funding for programs including but not limited to lectures, performances, exhibits, workshops, and/or festivals. Completed applications are due by October 17, 2016. Late and/or incomplete applications will not be reviewed for funding.

Speaking on behalf of the Wellesley Cultural Council, co-chairs Woody and Jennifer Gaul urged interested residents of Wellesley to consider applying for funds. “We believe that Wellesley is a uniquely creative town. We hope that residents will use this opportunity to put forth projects that allow everyone to share in the many cultural gifts contained within this community. The arts and humanities are profoundly humanizing and bring individuals together to celebrate one another and their varied perspectives.”

The Wellesley Cultural Council is a 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 Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, which then allocates funds to each community Cultural Council.

This year, the Wellesley Cultural Council will distribute about $4,600 in grants. Projects that received funding for the 2015-2016 grant cycle included: “Ecology of Sound” presentation by Ricardo Frota, “A Concert Series” by Wellesley Chamber Players, Ed Cope’s “Ed the Wizard’s Reading is Magic”, “Music for Trumpet and Organ” recital by Joseph Foley, Wellesley Choral Society’s performance of “The Music of Franck and Faure”, Wellesley Historical Society’s “Winter Wednesday’s Project”, Wellesley Theatre Project’s “Croc Musical Workshop” presentation, and Wellesley Women Artisans “Art in the Park” project.

Application forms and more information about the Local Cultural Council Program are available here.