local and state guidelines

medford guidelines

In addition to the general state guidelines for LCC grants and cultural field trip grants, we have specific local guidelines.

Timetable: The 2024 grant cycle is open from September 1st through October 16th.

Attendance data and proof of promotion: Grant recipients are required to complete a short assessment form after the completion of their project or event.

Local planning: You must show that you have made specific plans to hold your event or activity in Medford. This means including a specific letter of support from the organization that controls the local venue. For example, if you plan to hold your event at the Medford Public Library, you must include a letter of support from the Medford Public Library saying that they want to host your event. We do not fund applications which exhibit no sign of specific local planning. Please upload your letters using the online application system.

Collaboration: Projects involving collaboration must include a letter from the collaborating organizations confirming their commitment to the project. Please upload your letters using the online application system.

Business support: The Council welcomes proposals that show a collaboration between grant applicants and businesses offering to host, sponsor, or otherwise support cultural events for the public in Medford. Businesses are encouraged to donate a location/space, partially fund an event, or provide volunteer services for grant applicants. The Council will look favorably upon proposals of merit that include a commitment by partner businesses to provide partial funding for the proposed project.

Local Priorities

In accordance with our requirement as a Local Cultural Council receiving more than $20,000 from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, we have identified local priorities to guide our decision-making process for awarding grants. The Medford Arts Council 2024 Funding Priorities exist in order to support projects that best meet the needs and priorities of Medford.

Medford’s local priorities were developed using community input and strategic discussions at our recent public meetings. We will still accept, review, and approve a wide range of proposals including those that may be unrelated to our local priorities. However, we will use the local priorities to encourage, identify, and fund preferred proposals that are particularly suited to Medford’s needs at this time.

  1. Cultural Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Projects that elevate the voices and experiences of historically marginalized groups to highlight the current and historical diversity of Medford. Projects that create opportunities for artists and community members who identify as Black, Indigenous, POC, LGBTQX, refugee, immigrant, or person living with a disability. Such projects may include coalition building, research, leadership and youth development with a focus on arts and culture.

  2. Public art: Temporary or permanent art — performing or visual, 2D or 3D, outdoor or indoor, physical or virtual — to be exhibited in public, open spaces in Medford, such as a park, municipal building, or neighborhood square. We will pay attention to the particular qualities of a proposed site and how the project’s design fits in the site, and we encourage projects that are participatory and accessible for all potential audiences. The project should seek to create a memorable experience for the public. See some examples on our public art page.

  3. Projects that seek to enhance the vitality of Medford’s squares and business districts (for example, Medford Square, Haines Square, South Medford, Hillside, West Medford, Wellington, Station Landing, etc.) with cultural activities or displays that rely on visitors’ casual discovery or purposeful attendance. 

  4. Projects involving partnerships or collaborations among individuals or organizations. We are especially interested in deeply collaborative processes that fully involve the talents, skills, and resources of multiple contributors and include different perspectives within the community.

  5. Projects in the humanities (literature, history, etc.) or science and technology (natural resources, environmental issues, STEAM, etc.), especially if they focus on Medford-related topics or themes, and/or use local resources or talent. Priority may be given to approaches that show innovation in audience participation, content development, or use of materials. Projects that combine the humanities and interpretive sciences are especially welcome.

  6. Medford Oriented: Proposals will ideally include at least one of the following: based in Medford, responsive to Medford history and culture, initiated by Medford residents, encourage collaboration of Medford organizations and groups, and/or expanding engagement in the arts in Medford.

 

state guidelines

Please read the general state guidelines for LCC grants and cultural field trip grants.

In accordance with state law, local councils may not discriminate against applicants on the basis of race, gender, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, sexual orientation or age, nor may we fund projects that discriminate on the basis of these attributes.

Federal law mandates that any program or service that receives federal or state funding must be accessible to persons with disabilities on an equal basis with the rest of the general public. Therefore, all events and programs we fund must be accessible to persons with disabilities, including the facility or event location as well as the content of the program.