ROCHESTER — The Rochester Cultural Council is accepting online applications from organizations, schools, and individuals for grants to support community-oriented arts, humanities, and science programs in the Rochester area. The online application window will be open from Sept. 1, 2023 to Oct. 17.

The Rochester Cultural Council is composed of a group of volunteers appointed by the Rochester Select Board whose mission is to “promote excellence, access, and diversity in the arts, humanities, and sciences in order to enhance the quality of life in the Rochester community,” said the group in a press release. 

Special priority is given to non-profit applicants from the town of Rochester, and to surrounding community projects that would substantially enrich Rochester. Inspiration may include programs such as school field trips, afterschool programs, concerts, festivals, lectures, theater, dance, music, and film. Rochester Cultural Council projects may take place in schools, community centers, libraries, elder care facilities, town halls, parks and in any other community gathering place. 

The Rochester Cultural Council is a part of the Local Cultural Council Program which is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, humanities, and sciences annually, said the group in a press release.

This program is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency who yearly award local councils more than $3 million in grants to more than 5,000 cultural programs statewide.

For more information, see the Rochester Cultural Council on Facebook at facebook.com/rochestermaculturalcouncil, attend an open meeting or email rochesterculturalcouncil@gmail.com.