The Rochester Cultural Council has set an October 15 postmark deadline for organizations, schools and individuals to apply for grants that support cultural activities in the community.

According to Cultural Council Chairman Robert Barboza, these grants can be used to support a wide variety of artistic projects and activities in Rochester and neighboring communities, including art exhibits, festivals, field trips, short-term artist residencies, performances in schools, and workshops and lectures related to the arts, local history, and culture.

The Rochester 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 is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences and humanities every year.

This year, the Rochester Cultural Council will distribute over $3,800 in grants. Previously funded projects include the Rochester Historical Society’s “Life in Rochester” photo contest and exhibit, entertainment at the Rochester Council on Aging's annual volunteer appreciation event, the Plumb Library’s summer reading program and the Rochester Memorial School second grade field trip to the Zeiterion theater for an anti-bullying program.

For specific guidelines and more information on  applying for grant funds from the Rochester Cultural Council, contact Chairman Robert Barboza by calling (508) 287-6025 or e-mailing rbarboza7@hotmail.com. Application forms and more information about the Local Cultural Council Program are available online at www.mass-culture.org/lcc_public.asp or in the lobby of the Rochester Town Hall.