Mass Cultural Council Launches Festivals, Projects Grant Program

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BOSTON — Applications are now being accepted to Mass Cultural Council's Festivals & Projects FY25 grant round.
 
This program provides one-year grants of $2,500 for organizations to fund activities that provide public benefit using the arts, humanities, or sciences taking place between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025.
 
As the Commonwealth's independent state arts agency, Mass Cultural Council is charged with bolstering the creative and cultural sector, thereby advancing economic vitality, supporting transformational change, and celebrating, preserving, and inspiring creativity across all Massachusetts communities. The Agency pursues this mission through a broad range of programs, services, advocacy, and the equitable investment of public resources.
 
Key dates for the FY25 Festivals & Projects grant round include:
  • Applications Open – April 2, 2024
  • Information Sessions – April 4 and 9, 2024
    • April 4 – American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and live captions
    • 9 de Abril - interpretación en español
  • Applications Due – May 23, 2024

Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the program guidelines for more information, including instructions on how to apply.

 
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Wahconah Students Join Statewide 'SOS' Call for Rural School Funding

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

DALTON, Mass. — Students at Wahconah Regional High School are urging the state to fully fund Rural School Aid that supports essential services that shape their future.
 
Rural districts across the state participated in Rural and Declining Enrollment Schools Week of Action to insist Beacon Hill fully fund rural aid at $60 million. 
 
Schools across Massachusetts sent their pleas for aid to lawmakers through letter-writing campaigns, sign-making, and coordinated gatherings where students and educators formed the letters "SOS."

Wahconah students did something different — they created an educational video detailing the need for increased funding for rural schools with the school's music teacher Brian Rabuse, who edited the video, Assistant Superintendent Aaron Robb said. 

The advocacy efforts move the issue from spreadsheets to show the human cost of a funding formula previously described as "remarkably wrong." 
 
During an interview with iBerkshires, students expressed how districts without rural aid would have to make reductions in world language programing, mental health support, extracurricular opportunities, and other areas they find essential. 
 
"Our students deserve the same quality of education as any child in Massachusetts, regardless of their ZIP code," Superintendent Mike Henault said in a press release.
 
"The week of action is an opportunity for our communities to come together and make it clear to Beacon Hill that the status quo is no longer acceptable." 
 
Rural schools attempt to create the same quality education as urban and suburban areas while balancing high fixed costs of transportation and operations of geographically large, low-population districts.
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