MATTAPOISETT — Cultural organizations in town will receive 15 grants totaling $8,262, supported by the state and local Cultural Councils, and for the first time by the town of Mattapoisett.

Grant recipients include Mattapoisett Free Public Library, Friends of Old Rochester Drama, and Showstoppers Performing Arts, among others. 

The Mattapoisett Cultural Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The Local Cultural Council Program supports thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences and humanities every year. The state legislature provides an annual appropriation to the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, which then allocates funds to each community.

2019 is the first time that Mattapoisett Cultural Council is also receiving town financial support to supplement the state allocation and be able to approve more worthy grants. These additional town funds were instrumental in the council’s ability to award nearly double the amount for supporting local artists and institutions.

Decisions about which activities to support are made at the community level by a board of municipally appointed volunteers. The members of the Mattapoisett Cultural Council are: Benares Angeley, Gary Brown, Carole Clifford, Kathleen Damaskos, Carol Dildine, Michael Eaton, Annemarie Fredericks, Karen Martin, Gale Schultz, Sarah Thomas, and Donna Wingate.

“This program, the work of the local Council members, and of course the artists themselves are important contributors to the quality of life we enjoy here, and I commend everyone involved in making this year’s grants a reality” said Representative Bill Straus, Democrat of Mattapoisett.

“Cultural dollars, newly provided this year by the town, benefit the Mattapoisett community and help advance the town’s goals to encourage local resources and activities that engage our residents” said Chair of the Board of Selectmen Jordan Collyer, who helped with town participation in the funding.

This year’s Mattapoisett Cultural Council grants include:

Camp Massasoit Summer Camp $700
Co-Creative Center & W.H.A.L.E. $400
Friends of Old Rochester Drama $400
Mattapoisett Free Public Library $662
Mattapoisett Historical Society $1000
Mattapoisett Parent Teacher Association $700
New Bedford Art Museum $500
New Bedford Festival Theatre $500
New Bedford Symphony Orchestra $500
Seaglass Theatre Company $750
Shakespeare in New Bedford $500
Showstoppers Performing Arts $300
South Coast Children’s Chorus $650
Tri-County Symphonic Band $200
Kirk Whipple and Marilyn Morales $500

The Mattapoisett Cultural Council will seek applications again in the fall. Information and forms will be available online at www.masscultural council.org.