Council Priorities & Grant Application Process

Belmont Cultural Council, August 29, 2024

Council Priorities

The Belmont Cultural Council prioritizes funding applicants from Belmont and cultural events and activities that benefit the Belmont public. Cultural events and projects are defined broadly and include arts, lectures, performances, interpretive science, and humanities. Our July 2024 Community Input Survey indicated that town residents have the greatest preference for community-wide gatherings (festivals, farmers' market activities), the performing arts (concerts and plays), and nature/science/environmental education. The next tier of priorities are the visual arts (exhibits and education), programs occurring at the Council on Aging, programs celebrating local history, and programs celebrating cultural diversity. These were followed by programs at Belmont schools. The population segments of highest importance were families, seniors, and teens, followed by low-income populations, communities of color, and immigrant communities.

Priority is given to events that occur in Belmont, and events that are in collaboration with Belmont-based non-profit organizations. Applicants based outside of Belmont are required to secure the sponsorship of a Belmont public or non-profit organization and to include a sponsorship letter endorsing the project which must be attached to the online application as a PDF file. The Council places a priority on programs that occur after January of the grant cycle, i.e., January 2025 through December 2025, for the upcoming cycle. All grant recipients are expected to present a publicity plan as part of their application. Online applications for grants are required. Funds for food or drink or field trips will not be awarded grants.

Council Guidelines

The application form should be completed online at the Mass Cultural Council website. You will be able to attach supporting materials, such as resume(s) of key personnel, organizational brochures, letters of support/commitment, artist samples (video, slides, writings, portfolio, etc.). Please answer questions as clearly, simply, and completely as space allows. Describe the project and any collaborators and address the review criteria. The budget is divided into Projected Expenses and Projected Income. Please include all sources and uses of funds, including the amount in your application, and your budget should not show a deficit. You can include in-kind donations - that is, services, materials or facilities which are provided at no cash cost to you. You may not request grant money for consumables, such as food or drink.