Winchester Cultural Council Announces 2008 Grant Recipients

April 11, 2008

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. Cultural Council grants usually provide only partial funding for these projects.

The funded projects are:

• The Alcyon Chamber Ensemble, for two concert programs, George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," on March 30, and a program of Beethoven chamber works, "Beethoven: The Tempest" in fall 2008. Both concerts will include a pre-concert lecture. The programs will have collateral performances in area schools; students will attend free. Concerts will be at Parish of the Epiphany in Winchester, which donates its space for performances and rehearsals.
• The Winchester Multicultural Network for "Faces of Winchester," a photo display at the public library and possibly elsewhere in town which will include twelve 11 x 14 color photos taken of Winchester residents representing a variety of backgrounds and races. The goal is to highlight and honor the diversity in Winchester.
• The Winchester Early Music Concert Series, a series of concerts by six artists who are among the best early music musicians in the US. Performances are at the First Congregational Church on Nov 10, 2007, Mar 1, 2008 and May 10, 2008. Concert admission will be free to all children under age 12.
• The Winchester Historical Society for "Following in their Footsteps: Artists from Winchester's Past," an exhibition of paintings and drawings from Winchester artists in the years 1850-1950, at the Sanborn House Historical and Cultural Center. The opening, in spring or early fall, will include an afternoon program led by historian Ellen Knight. This artwork is currently dispersed in Town Hall offices, the Library, and the Historical Society's Archival Center.
• The Community School Association of Winchester for Authorfest 2008, to be held on April 17, 2008. Approximately 17 authors and illustrators for children in grades pre-K through 5 will present in classrooms and libraries in each of Winchester's five public and one private elementary schools. Also, three authors - one for each grade level - will present at McCall Middle School, and one author will present at Winchester High School. An autographing session and book sale will take place at Town Hall.
• The Griffin Museum of Photography for "Senior Sundays," a photography lecture and reception for Winchester seniors on the second or third Sunday of each month. The event includes socializing, coffee, tea and desserts. Transportation can be provided if needed.
• Peformer Mark Widershien for a concert at The Gables in Winchester entitled "New England in Words and Music." The performance includes violin playing and a discussion of the role of music and literature in community and the larger society, beginning in the era of the Victor Talking Machine. Audience members will be asked to share their experiences.

The Winchester Cultural Council is a local government body consisting 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 funds each year to support the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences. This money is awarded by the WCC to local individuals and groups who meet state and local requirements. Anyone may apply for funding and the range of programs funded in the past has been very broad. Grant applications must generally be received by October 15 of each year for projects in the following year.

For more information, contact Peter Pulsifer, Chair of the Cultural Council.