The Cultural Organization of Lowell (COOL) received great news this week, according to LZ Nunn of the City’s Office of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (CASE), who also serves as COOL’s executive director. COOL and its local partners were awarded a $30,000 grant from the Mass Cultural Council Adams Arts Program for the Discover Lowell Series. (COOL’s project was one of 24 across the state to be funded.) This year’s program will help fund seven major city-wide cultural events, a capacity building program for creative entrepreneurs, and a year-long film series at local venues.

The following is from the Mass. Cultural Council’s announcement:

” ‘Arts, culture, and tourism are among the Commonwealth’s top economic engines,’ said Rep. Sarah Peake of Provincetown, the newly named Chair of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development in an interview the Cape Cod Times.

“The Joint Committee’s new Co-Chair Senator Eileen Donoghue of Lowell praised the Adams Arts Program for its ongoing investment in the Cultural Organization of Lowell (COOL).

” ‘I am excited to see the MCC award COOL with funding from the Adams Arts Program,’ said Donoghue. ‘Not only is this financial support critical to the success of the organization, but it is also extremely beneficial to the City of Lowell, especially during these tough economic times. By investing in the creative sector, we are also making an investment in the economic development of our community.’

“Adams is the oldest and farthest-reaching program of its kind in the nation, supporting project that harness the unique assets of the Commonwealth and the creativity of its residents. Adams grants support a creative sector that has a $4 billion total impact on the state’s economy and provides more than 100,000 jobs. The program has invested more than $9.2 milion in nearly 100 project since 1997.”