Wakefield Awarded Cultural Grants

Representative Paul Brodeur announced on Thursday that the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) awarded grants totaling $44,500 to cultural organizations, schools, and communities in his district, including Wakefield.

“These grants support a broad range of cultural activities that benefit local residents, while supporting jobs in the nonprofit cultural sector. Funding of our local arts councils ensures that school and community arts programs receive critical financial support,” said Brodeur.

The announcement was made as part of MCC’s statewide funding program, which benefits from a $2 million increase to itsstate appropriation approved by the state legislature in August.

“MCC grants help to ensure that the unique cultural programs in my district and the extraordinary cultural activity across the Commonwealth continue to thrive and benefit our citizens today and for years to come,” Brodeur said.

State representative Donald Wong was also pleased to see these awards come into the district.

“These grants aren’t just about supporting worthy artists and valued programs, they are about creating community and opening the door to a more robust creative economy,” Wong said.

“Investment in the arts is a critically important ingredient for a vibrant and well-rounded community,” said State Senator Jason Lewis. “I’m very pleased that the Town of Wakefield, the City of Melrose, and the always-impressive Polymnia Choral Society will receive this funding to bolster their important work expanding cultural opportunities for the region’s residents.”

In addition to grants to our local cultural councils, MCC awarded The Polymnia Choral Society funding to create collaboration between the society and the Malden Public School District in which students will be coached to perform interactive, abridged versions of two choral masterpieces.

The grants are part of MCC’s $14 million investment in the Massachusetts nonprofit cultural sector.