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The New Bedford Cultural Council (NBCC) is now accepting grant proposals for community-oriented arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences programs. Grant applications are due Wednesday, October 15, 2014.
New Bedford Cultural Council (NBCC) funds programs that promote excellence, access, education, and diversity in the Arts, Humanities and Interpretive Sciences to improve the quality of life for city residents. NBCC ensures that New Bedford’s share of Massachusetts Cultural Council funds are administered fairly and in the best interests of the community.
This year, the New Bedford Cultural Council will distribute $63,590 in grant funding to support community programming. Previously funded projects include: Dennison Memorial’s “Children’s Art Program,” AHA!, Gallery X’s “Frederick Douglass Dedication & Art Show,” and GROW Education/Marion Institute “Round the Bend Farm.”
New criteria have been established this year for both standard grants and field trip grants. The new criteria are available on the 2014-15 MCC website (https://www.mass-culture.org/New-Bedford#). Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the guidelines as there are changes that will determine award success.
For specific guidelines and complete information the NBCC suggests that individuals and groups that are interested in applying for a NBCC grant this year attend one of the following information sessions:
- Monday, September 8, 2014 from 6pm-8pm at the New Bedford Free Public Library at 613 Pleasant Street, 3rd floor Meeting Room, New Bedford.
- Thursday, September 18 from 6pm-8pm at the Zeiterion Center for Performing Arts. Please use the stage door entrance on Spring Street.
New Bedford Cultural Council grants are open to individual artists, arts organizations, community organizations and municipal agencies. All projects funded by the NBCC must be based in New Bedford and must benefit the citizens of New Bedford through exhibits, performances, readings, demonstrations, or by other means.
The NBCC is charged with making funding decisions that best meet the particular needs and priorities of the New Bedford community based on the annual Community Input Survey. Grants are awarded to individuals and organizations, with a maximum amount of $4,000.00 per individual or organization, or $1,500.00 per school for field trip grants.
The 2014 NBCC Community Input Survey suggests that the NBCC support proposals that emphasize the following: youth and low income groups, public art projects, events that are free or offer reduced fees to low income New Bedford residents, projects that celebrate New Bedford’s cultural diversity and projects that emphasize collaboration with other groups. In addition, field trip grants have new guidelines and the interpretive sciences will be given priority.
All NBCC 2014-15 grant applications and accompanying materials are due by Wednesday, October 15, 2014. These may be mailed to the NBCC P.O. Box 2027 New Bedford, MA 02741, postmarked no later than, October 15, 2014, or may be hand delivered to the Mayor’s Office on the 3rd floor of City Hall, by 4:00pm on October 15. No late applications will be accepted.
For more information, and to download an application, visit www.mass-culture.org/New-Bedford or email newbedfordcc@gmail.com. Application forms are also available at all New Bedford library branches and the Mayor’s office.
