Acton's Discovery Museums Honored by Mass. Cultural Council

ACTON, MA – Discovery Museums in Acton was honored by the Massachusetts Cultural Council this week with a 2017 Commonwealth Award.

Each year, the council recognizes exceptional achievement in the arts, humanities and sciences. Discovery Museums was the sole award-winner in the "Access" category, which "recognizes exceptional initiatives or programs that make arts and culture accessible and inclusive for older adults, persons with disabilities, and other underserved populations."

The council highlighted Discovery Museums' Discovery Woods, a fully-accessible nature playscape surrounding a 550-square-foot treehouse, which is available to those on the autism spectrum and individuals who are deaf and blind.

Below is the complete list of winners, via the Massachusetts Cultural Council:

Access - Recognizes exceptional initiatives or programs that make arts and culture accessible and inclusive for older adults, persons with disabilities, and other underserved populations.

• Discovery Museums, Acton, for breaking down barriers and accommodating all visitors, including whose on the autism spectrum, deaf, or blind, through its new Discovery Woods, a fully-accessible nature playscape designed around a 550-square foot treehouse.

Achievement - For an individual or cultural organization whose creative achievements have uniquely enriched life in Massachusetts.

• Keith Lockhart, Boston Pops Orchestra, Boston, who celebrated his twentieth anniversary as Boston Pops Conductor in 2015, for his extraordinary stewardship of “America’s Orchestra” and his generous civic spirit.

• José Mateo, José Mateo Ballet Theatre, Cambridge, for his artistic achievement in choreography and his innovative, humanistic approach to dance education that fosters diversity and inclusion.

Creative Community - For a city, town, or local organization that has demonstrated the central role of arts and culture in building healthier, more vital, more livable communities.

• City of New Bedford, for providing sustained leadership, funding, and infrastructure to the places where art and culture are presented, and where artists live and work, providing a model for cities everywhere.

Creative Youth Development - For an individual, school, or cultural organization that has successfully helped young people develop their creative potential, foster critical learning and life skills, & become active contributors to their communities.

• Springfield SciTech High School Band, for providing Springfield’s youth with opportunities to experience music and to give back to their community by sharing their joy in its creation.

Cultural Philanthropy - For an individual, corporation, or foundation that has made lasting contributions to the cultural life of Massachusetts through charitable giving.

• Nancy Donahue, Lowell, for her instrumental role in creating and nurturing the arts across the Merrimack Valley.

Leadership - For the leader of a non-profit cultural organization, school, or community that has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to serving the public.

• Paul Grogan, The Boston Foundation, Boston, for his leadership and commitment to ensuring the health and vitality of the arts and cultural sector in Boston and across the Commonwealth.

• David Tebaldi, Mass Humanities, Northampton, for his 32-year record of remarkable leadership of one of our nation’s most respected state humanities councils.

Local Cultural Council of the Year

• Greenfield Cultural Council, for maintaining an active role in their community with partnerships that expand access to the arts for its citizens.

Media - For an individual or media organization that has demonstrated outstanding support of the cultural community in Massachusetts by telling its stories to the broader public.

• The Berkshire Eagle, for its quality, in-depth coverage of the rich and diverse cultural community of Western Massachusetts and beyond.

Mayor’s Arts Challenge - an opportunity for city leaders across the Commonwealth to showcase how arts and culture help make their communities better places to live, work, and visit.

• Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale, for his passionate advocacy on behalf of Fitchburg's unique arts and cultural heritage.

""This extraordinary group of organizations and individuals beautifully represents our state's unique cultural fabric," said MCC Executive Director Anita Walker in a statement. "Their collective and individual achievements have immeasurably improved our quality of life in Massachusetts, and I am delighted to honor them at our 2017 Commonwealth Awards ceremony."

The award winners will be recognized Feb. 15 at the state house.

Photo Credit: John Phelan (Own work) [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons