Northampton Arts Council accepting grant applications

Sept. 15, 2021 | Dennis Hackett
dhackett@thereminder.com

NORTHAMPTON – On Sept. 1, the Northampton Arts Council opened applications for its annual round of grants funded through the Massachusetts Cultural Council for a variety of arts programs in the city.

Brian Foote, the executive director for the Northampton Arts Council, said the funding for the grants comes through the Massachusetts Cultural Council and each city and town in the state is allotted a certain amount of money.

“This round of grant funding is organized by the Mass. Cultural Council and each city in the state is allotted a certain amount of money for the projects they choose. Since Northampton decided to establish their council as an Arts Council in 1980, all the projects will go toward the arts in the city,” he said.

Applications are broken up into several different categories based on different kinds of art and performance.

“We are accepting applications for all kinds of art that have been broken down into several categories including dance, media arts, multidisciplinary arts, music, theater and visual arts,” Foote said.

Foote said the application must include an event to interact with the public in order to be awarded grant funding.

“To be eligible for the funding, there must be interaction with the public and [it] needs to engage the residents in Florence, Northampton and Leeds. This can include exhibits, festivals, short term artist residencies, scholarships, performances in schools, workshops, virtual presentations and lectures,” he said.

Foote said the event must take place between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022, to receive funding for this year’s applications.

The awards range from $250 to $1,500 and Foote said about 25 people or organizations will receive funding.

“We were granted $19,600 and we expect to give out that money to about 25 individuals and organizations in varying amounts from $250 to about $1,500,” he said.

All applications must be submitted online but Foote said anyone having trouble sending their application in can seek assistance at the Forbes Library.

“This year the grant process is online only, but anyone seeking assistance is more than welcome to head down to the Forbes Library for help,” he said.

The deadline for this year’s applications is Oct. 15 and all applications must be submitted online at https://www.northamptonartscouncil.org. Once the application is submitted Foote said applicants will receive a disapproval notice by Dec. 15 or an approval notice by Dec. 31.

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