Melrose Cultural Council Accepting Grant Proposals 9/1-10/15

Melrose Cultural Council Accepting Grant Proposals September 1 through October 15 for 2027 Calendar Year

Melrose, MA: The Melrose Cultural Council (MCC) is seeking proposals for community-oriented arts, cultural, and interpretive sciences events and programming with broad public benefit and impact. The Local Cultural Council (LCC) annual grant application cycle opens Tuesday, September 1, and closes Thursday, October 15.

The MCC’s goal is to provide financial support on a direct-granting basis to a variety of projects that appeal to the diverse population and cultures within our community — reaching adults of all ages, youth, children, families, and seniors.The MCC dispersed over $39,500 in the 2026 grant cycle, which included $20,000 from the City of Melrose and funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

“With a $50,000 appropriation from the City for 2027, MCC will be able to significantly expand opportunities for local artists while broadening the range of zero- to low-cost cultural offerings for Melrose residents,” says Council Co-chair Jim Bracciale. “We are grateful for the City’s extraordinary support, which will greatly enrich our community.”

“The Melrose Cultural Council is grateful for the leadership of Mayor Jen Grigoraitis and the City Council,” says Council Co-chair Elizabeth Bouchard. “Their commitment to the arts allows MCC to have a deeper grantmaking impact in the year ahead. We’re excited for what this funding will offer Melrose.”

Grant Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must present their events and programming during the upcoming calendar year (January 1-December 31, 2027) at a local ADA-compliant venue. Applicants are urged to closely read and follow the LCC Program Guidelines available on the Massachusetts Cultural Council website. First-time applicants are encouraged, and prospective applicants are welcome to contact the MCC to ask questions or to receive feedback on proposals before submitting. Applicants may request full funding for a project; however, requests may not be awarded or may be only partially funded. We do not accept requests for capital expenditures, individual scholarships, or multi-year repeating programs. In 2026, we awarded grants ranging from $300 to $3,500 to 31 applicants. The online application, eligibility guidelines, local priorities, and a past grant listing are available at: melroseculture.org/apply.

Priorities: Our 2027 priorities are informed by a recent community outreach survey. New initiatives that produce free public events and activities in outdoor spaces are most favorably welcomed. We also invite applications that address inclusion, diversity, and equity — with preference given to projects that build community through connection and dialogue. We hope to reflect and highlight Melrose’s current and historic diversity through arts and culture. Projects that speak to the experience of Massachusetts artists and audiences who identify as BIPOC, Latinx, LGBTQIA, immigrant, or disabled are actively encouraged.

About the Council: The MCC is the local affiliate of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Part of a statewide network in cities and towns funded by the legislature, MCC is committed to supporting programs that promote excellence, education, cultural diversity, inclusion, and equity to foster a rich and vibrant cultural life in Melrose. Major funding for the 2027 funding cycle is provided by the City of Melrose through a free cash appropriation approved by the City Council. Grants are given to Melrose organizations, individuals, and Massachusetts artists/presenters in partnership with local organizations. We encourage and support programs across all arts disciplines — visual arts, music, theater, dance, writing, projects in the humanities, history, local culture, and interpretive sciences.