Agendas & Minutes

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Committee Charge

Concord Cultural Council Charge

Members

Purpose

The Concord Cultural Council (CCC)’s purpose is to provide a forum for the town’s cultural sector to enhance strategic leadership and encourage collaboration within Concord’s arts and culture community. The CCC’s primary role is to fulfill the responsibilities set by state law and administer associated funding provided to the town through each of Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Local Cultural Council and Cultural District programs and its mission to “advance the Commonwealth’s creative and cultural sector to foster a rich cultural life in communities across the Commonwealth.” 

Concord Center Cultural District

In August 2012, Concord Center became one of the first 10 places in Massachusetts to receive Cultural District designation from the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC). The Town and Concord Chamber of Commerce worked together to obtain this designation, which celebrates a specific geographical area in a Town or town where there is a concentration of cultural facilities, activities and assets. A Cultural District is a walkable, compact area easily identifiable to visitors and residents and serves as a center of cultural, artistic and economic activity.

• Concord Center Cultural District 2012 Application
• MCC Site Assessment 2012
• Concord Center Cultural District Signage and Wayfinding Plan

LCC Grant Programs

The Concord Cultural Council supports community cultural projects through grants to local organizations that adhere to the Massachusetts Cultural Council guidelines as well as local Concord Cultural Council guidelines. Local and regional individuals and organizations in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences are eligible to apply for grants. The Council places priority on new initiatives and gives preference to events that benefit Concord.

Grant applications are available online through the Mass Cultural Council 

Guidelines

All applications for grants from the Concord Cultural Council must meet the following guidelines:

• Deadline: The Local Cultural Council online application for 2025-26 grants opens on September 2, 2025, with a submission deadline of October 16, 2025.
• Time/Venue Required: Applicants must specify on the application a venue for their activity and a specific (or approximate) date, or on-going timeline for continuing events. If the date is not finalized at the time of the application, then it must be arranged and communicated to the Council by March 1, 2026.
• Level of Support: The Council does not fully fund any project. To demonstrate that your project is not dependent solely on Concord funding, you must specify other sources of financial support in the budget section of the application. All requests for full funding will be denied. In-kind contributions (venue, publicity, AV support, etc.) may be considered as “other sources of financial support,” and noted in the budget section of the application. We have limited funds available, and the range of grants has traditionally been $150 to $500. Please take that into consideration when submitting your application.
• Local Priority: Preference is given to applicants who live or work in Concord, and who offer programs and presentations that specifically benefit a wide range of audiences in the Concord community. Both individuals and organizations are eligible. The Concord Cultural Council seeks to encourage new and emerging artists in the award of its funds.
• Out-of-Town Applicants: Preference is given to activities in neighboring towns based on potential involvement or attendance by Concord residents.
• Economic Enhancement: Preference is given to activities that stimulate economic activity for establishments in Concord.
• Accessibility: Activities must take place in an accessible facility.
• Qualifications: Applicants must demonstrate a record of engagement in the type of activity for which funds are requested.
• Program Eligibility: Programs in music, dance, visual arts, poetry, literature, drama, the humanities and scientific interpretation for all age groups will be considered. Capital expenditures will be considered. Applications for programs that are normally funded by the town budget will not be considered.
• Repeat Applicants: An applicant who is funded for 3 successive years will have lower priority in the 4th year. The application should include an assessment of previous programs or performances, attendance, audience participation, and impact/reception. Will the proposed program be a repeat of previous years, or will it introduce new elements in response to suggestions or comments from participants?
• Project modifications: After the grants are awarded, programs cannot be modified without the Council's review and approval.

  For more information, contact the Committee at ConcordCulturalCouncil@gmail.com