Reading Cultural Council Awards 12 In Arts Community

The Reading Cultural Council has awarded $6,561 to support the arts and humanities programming of 12 organizations. These programs took place both last year as well as 2017 in Reading. All are open to the public.

"The range of programs supported by the Reading Cultural Council this year highlights the richness of cultural, artistic and experiential projects available in our community,” said Reading Council chair Donna Schenkel.

Universalist Unitarian Church Ivy Chord Coffee House received funds to support acoustic musical performances, October 2016 through April 2017, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, Reading.

The Reading Art Association received funds to support the annual Fall Art Exhibit & Sale held at Reading First Congregational Church, Woburn Street.

New England School of Performing Arts received a grant for its winter theater program, a 10-week introduction to live theater for children ages 8-14 years, culminating in a performance at Reading’s Universalist Unitarian Church.

Colonial Chorus was awarded funds to support a performance for children and families by Fairytale Players on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 1249 Main Street, Reading.

Delvena Theatre Company received funds to support a one-woman, multi-character show based on Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women" story to be performed by Lynne Moulton at Reading’s Pleasant Street Senior Center in April 2017.

Nancy Genevieve Kohl is supported with an award to serve as the first Writer in Residence at the newly renovated Reading Public Library’s Innovation Studio in March 2017. The Innovation Studio provides a central location where residents can gather and share their skills and passions with neighbors.

Reading Community Singers received funds to support the “In the Spirit of Peace" Holiday Celebration Concerts held in December 2016 at Reading’s Old South United Methodist Church.

Northeast School of Ballet was awarded a grant to support scholarships for students enrolled at the new Conservatory of the Northeast School of Ballet on Lowell Street.

Creative Arts Reading received funds to support Puppet Playtime, two hour-long interactive performance experiences for young children and their families, March 4, 2017 and April 8, 2017 at the Creative Arts Center on Woburn Street.

North Suburban Child & Family Resource Network received a grant to support a Family Concert for young children by Karen K & The Jitterbugs at the Reading Public Library during February vacation week.

Birch Meadow PTO received funds to support a two-day educational visit by writer Daryl Cobb who will work with children all grades in March 2017.

Wood End PTO received funds to support a Music and Social Change enrichment program for students in grades 4 and 5 performed by Alastair Moock in March. The program explores how music can be a medium for social responsibility, empowerment, and, change.

Individuals and organizations with cultural projects taking place in Reading during 2017-2018 are encouraged to apply for support from the Reading Cultural Council. Application forms are available online at mass-culture.org/Reading. The deadline for the next round of applications is October 16, 2017.

The Reading Cultural Council is part of a network of Local Cultural Councils (LCC) serving all cities and towns in the Commonwealth. Reading Cultural Council members are volunteers appointed by the town’s Board of Selectmen. The Massachusetts state legislature provides an annual appropriation to the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, which then allocates funds to Local Cultural Councils which make awards based on community needs.

Photo by Arturo Espinosa via Flickr