About the Winchester Cultural Council

Winchester Cultural Council Announces 2008 Grant Recipients

The Winchester Cultural Council has awarded $4,000 in state funding to seven applicants to support their activities in enriching the cultural life of the town. The funded projects include musical performances, literature, visual arts and history. They expand cultural opportunities for Winchester’s young students and senior citizens, they help Winchester residents hear distinguished local performers, and they use art to celebrate and strengthen our community. For the details, see the Press Release.

The Cultural Council

The Winchester Cultural Council is a group of volunteers, appointed by the Board of Selectmen, who work to serve the artistic and cultural life of the town. The State of Massachusetts, through the Massachusetts Cultural Council, gives Winchester a grant of money each year to support the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences. The WCC then awards this money to local individuals and groups who have submitted grant applications.

Members of the Cultural Council are:

Peter Pulsifer (Chair), 75 Mystic Valley Parkway
Donna Muffoletto Campbell, 8 Parker Road
Don Daniel, 40 Charles Road
Justin Godoy, 4 Irving St
W. James Herbert, 10 Fenwick Road
Nelson Lees, 15 Old Lyme Road
Karen A. Ossen, 21 Clearwater Rd
Tanya Ferretto Steel, 20 Wildwood Street
Debbie Taylor-Smith, 29 Arthur St

How to Apply for a Grant

Anyone may apply for funding and the range of programs funded in the past has been very broad — a good idea is what counts. The Council requires only that the applicant have a local sponsor and that the program clearly benefits Winchester directly

Applications are evaluated in terms of several review criteria: artistic or creative merit; project design; qualifications; dedication and track record of individuals and organizations involved; physical accessibility of any facilities being used; and community benefit/involvement. Enrichment projects utilizing outside professionals are allowed. Winchester based applicants are given preference over those from out of town. Applicants are strongly encouraged to have a Winchester sponsor.

Who is eligible? (a) Arts, humanities or interpretive science organizations, (b) individuals including artists, science educators, historians or other humanists, parents, community members, etc.; and (c) community organizations such as schools, neighborhood centers, youth, senior and family associations.

Completed applications must be received by Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008. All applications must be typed or word processed on the forms provided. Send application and support materials to:

Winchester Cultural Council
75 Mystic Valley Parkway
Winchester MA 01890

or give to the Town Clerk at the town hall.

Applications for grants can be found on the Massachusetts Cultural Web site (www.massculturalcouncil.org) — click here for applications — or at the town hall.

For further information, see the WCC call for applications, or send a letter to the above address or email to WinchesterCC@verizon.net.