Finalize Update of FY 2024 Arts Council Grant Application Priorities and Guidelines

The West Springfield Arts Council will conduct a final review of the updated FY2024 grant priorities and guidelines at the upcoming August 21 meeting. Draft revisions to this document are highlighted below in red font:

DRAFT FY2024 Council Priorities

1. A specific date, time, program running time, and venue must be confirmed when submitting an application. Please include a letter from the venue as confirmation.

2. Programs that offer free or low cost for attendees.

3. New programming projects from first time applicants, will be given preference over repeat applicants.

4. Applications from diverse age groups, cultural backgrounds, as well as local institutions and artists.

5. We encourage collaboration and sponsorships among community groups.

DRAFT 2024 Council Guidelines

1. Grant funds may NOT be used to purchase food, refreshments, gifts; or for payment of sales taxes. [eliminate transportation costs as a restriction]

2. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that persons with disabilities have access to public programs or services on an equal basis with the rest of the general public. All events and programs funded by the West Springfield Arts Council must be accessible to persons with disabilities, including the facility or event location as well as the content of the program.

3. Grant recipients must include the required credit line for all West Springfield Arts Council grant funded programs: "This program is supported in part by a grant from the West Springfield Arts Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.”

4  Grant recipients must forward their publicity releases to the contacts listed on the West Springfield Arts Council Publicity Toolkit web page at least TWO WEEKS BEFORE the performance date of the grant funded project.

5. Individuals, Non-profits, and For-profit entities that propose projects that provide public benefit are welcome to apply for grant funding. 

6. Contact the MA Cultural Council Help Desk at 617-858-2721 for assistance with technical issues and/or questions about the online application process.

The FY24 Mass Cultural Council (MCC) grant application for West Springfield will be posted at the footer of the MCC West Springfield webpage after September 1, 2023.