Wellesley Cultural Council reveals 18 grant recipients

The Wellesley Cultural Council has awarded more than $16,000 in grants to support publicly accessible arts, humanities and cultural programming to benefit the local community. Half of the funding came from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and the rest from the town.

We’re happy and grateful to report that The Swellesley Report is among the 18 recipients. Our grant will be used to pay a student writer (or writers) covering the local arts scene.

Programs funded through the grants feature music, theater, visual arts, and more. They will be offered across a variety of venues, from libraries to schools to other community locations.

Grant applications for the current fiscal year were due this past October.

The recipients and their programs:

Art Wellesley, Inc. – AW Programming & Exhibition Support
Supports exhibitions, artist talks, workshops, and community art initiatives that promote engagement with visual arts across Wellesley.

Meghan Damiano – Teen Advisory Group / Middle School Advisory Group
A youth leadership program at the Wellesley Free Library empowering middle school students to help shape creative and community-focused programming.

The Swellesley Report – Arts Reviewer Intern Stipend
Supports local arts coverage through an intern position focused on reporting on Wellesley’s cultural events and organizations.

Wellesley Theatre Project, Inc. – Come From Away
A community theater production of the acclaimed musical, presented by the Wellesley Theatre Project.

Janet Applefield – Combatting Hate and Prejudice
An educational program featuring personal testimony and discussion focused on combating intolerance and fostering understanding.

Wellesley Town Band – Moving to a New Level
Supports expanded repertoire and performances that engage audiences and strengthen community music-making.

Marcos Valles – Music and Movement with Rockabye Beats
Interactive music and movement programming designed for young children and families.

Wellesley Society of Artists, Inc. – Eyes Open to Color
A visual arts initiative exploring color, creativity, and artistic expression through public programming.

Tal Shalom-Kobii – A Tribute to Women Composers and Songwriters from Around the Globe
A concert program celebrating women composers and songwriters from diverse cultural traditions.

Roger L. Tincknell – Island Vacation
A creative performance project blending music and storytelling.

Wellesley Choral Society – Songs of a Century: British and American 20th Century Choral Music
A choral concert featuring works by British and American composers of the 20th century.

Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild, Inc. – The Massachusetts High School Drama Festival
Supports a statewide festival showcasing student theater productions and arts education.

Evan Haller – Interactive Music Concert for Young Children and Their Families
A participatory music concert emphasizing movement, engagement, and early childhood development.

Wellesley Symphony Orchestra, Inc. – Wellesley Symphony Orchestra 2025–26 Season
Supports live orchestral performances as part of the orchestra’s upcoming season.

Elizabeth Nelson – Mini Big Top – A Mini Circus for Mini Readers
A family-friendly program combining performance and literacy for young audiences.

Jon Waterman – Live Music Making History Live
A live performance exploring the roots of American popular music through storytelling and song.

Charles River Sinfonietta, Inc. – Chamber Music Concert at Wellesley Free Library
A free chamber music concert featuring professional musicians, presented at the Wellesley Free Library.

Land’s Sake, Inc. – Open Farmyard
A community program inviting the public to engage with agriculture, land stewardship, and local cultural traditions.

Would your organization like to support Swellesley student writers? Let us know… we’re open to ideas: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com