From Museum Trips To A Hip-Hop Square Dance, Framingham Arts Awarded $50,000

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Dozens of community arts programs, cultural groups and educational initiatives have been awarded a total of more than $50,000 by the Framingham Cultural Council to support their work this year.

The annual grants fund a wide range of activities including concerts, theater productions, school field trips, literary programs and multidisciplinary events for city residents of many ages. Nearly half of the funded programs include educational components for youth, according to a news release.

Among the recipients, the Edwards Church was awarded $1,000 to support an artist-in-residence program. The Charlotte A. Dunning Elementary School received a grant of $500 to fund a field trip to the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum. And a $500 grant will support a hip-hop square dance for seniors.

The Framingham Cultural Council has awarded 71 grants this year, ranging from $225 to $1,000. The funding comes from a state appropriation of $5 million that is channeled to the 329 local cultural councils across Massachusetts.

Each cultural council consists of volunteers and allocates the funds based on community input. In Framingham, the council conducts a resident survey every other year to help guide grantmaking. The deadline for 2027 grants is Oct. 16.

For a list of all the 2026 grants and recipients, click here.