The Massachusetts Cultural Council announced “a spending plan for the coming year that will invest nearly $10 million in nonprofit arts, humanities, and science organizations, local cultural councils, education programs, and working artists across the Commonwealth.” Meeting in Concord, the MCC –  a state agency supporting the arts, sciences, and humanities – noted the Council’s support of Arts Fellowships,  Arts partnerships, poetry contests, arts curriculum for educators and much more…

The Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) today approved a spending plan for the coming year that will invest nearly $10 million in nonprofit arts, humanities, and science organizations, local cultural councils, education programs, and working artists across the Commonwealth.

MCC’s FY14 spending plan benefitted from a $1.6 million increase to its state appropriation, approved by the Legislature and signed by the Governor in July. That increase begins to restore cultural funding lost through years of budget cuts, and helps to offset federal cutbacks in the National Endowment for the Arts’ annual state partnership grant to MCC. The MCC Board unanimously endorsed the plan at its meeting at the Concord Museum, where it was joined by Concord State Rep. Cory Atkins, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts, & Cultural Development.

MCC Executive Director Anita Walker highlighted the budget’s increased funding for nonprofit organizations, local cultural councils, artist residencies in schools, and artist fellowships.

“Thanks to support from the Legislature, we will be able to increase investments that will make a real difference to our partners in the cultural sector,” said Walker.

“I’m pleased that our success in this year’s budget debate will translate into more resources for the arts and culture in our communities,” said Rep. Atkins. “These dollars will strengthen our economy, expand access to cultural programs, and enhance the quality of life in our cities and towns.”

(Detailed funding lists including individual grant amounts will be available online August 22 by noon.)

Read the full press release here: http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/news/fy14_grants_announced.asp

Note: Rosemary Noon of Lowell is a member of the Mass Cultural Council.