Rep. Bradley, Rep. Cantwell, Sen. Hedlund Announce $43,680 in State Cultural Grants for Cohasset, Hingham, Hull, and Scituate

September 27, 2011

(State House, Boston) – Representative Garrett Bradley, D-Hingham, Representative James Cantwell, D-Marshfield, and Senator Robert Hedlund, R-Weymouth, today jointly announced that grants totaling $43,680 have been awarded to cultural organizations, schools, and communities in the towns of Cohasset, Hingham, Hull and Scituate by the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC).

The legislative delegation said that these grants support a variety of cultural activities that benefit local residents. The announcement was made as part of a statewide funding program by the MCC.  Funding for grants to these towns increased a total of $5,200 over the previous year.

“Once again the state has shown support for the arts, humanities, and sciences in Massachusetts,” Rep. Bradley said. “I applaud the efforts of local organizations and officials who, with the use of these grants, help to ensure that these rich cultural resources on the South Shore and across the Commonwealth are accessible to our citizens today, and remain strong for many years to come.”

Rep. Cantwell said, “Increasing public access to rich cultural programming strengthens and enriches the community as a whole. But what pleases me most is seeing these programs make an impact on the lives of those who otherwise would not be served. Whether it’s a free concert in the park, a complimentary story telling program in our schools or libraries, or countless other cultural activities, these grants go a long way in supporting Scituate at the local level"

Senator Hedlund said, “I am pleased to see a continued commitment to cultural councils across the commonwealth, and in our districts. It is important to continue to enrich our communities and provide access to these programs. The funding support the Massachusetts Cultural Council has provided will continue to enrich our communities for many years.”

A total of $2.3 million is being distributed to Local Cultural Councils (LCCs) statewide, which comprise the most extensive public cultural funding network in the nation. They provide funding to every Massachusetts city and town through 329 local councils and more than 2,300 volunteers. The councils support local arts and history, fund school field trips, and sponsor local concerts and exhibitions.  The Cohasset, Hingham, Hull and Scituate councils will each receive $3,870 according to a formula that reflects the state's local aid system.

In addition the following organizations will receive funding as part of the MCC’s direct grant program:

•       $5,000 for the Hull Lifesaving Museum, whose mission is to preserve and teach maritime skills and lifesaving heritage.
•       $5,000 to South Shore Art Center, Inc. in Cohasset, which strives to foster an understanding and appreciation by communities south of Boston of the visual arts through exhibitions and education.
•       $18,200 for the South Shore Conservatory of Music, located in Hingham, whose program provides access to quality education in the arts in the communities south of Boston.

The grants were part of MCC’s $6.5 million statewide investment in the nonprofit cultural sector.

The Massachusetts Cultural Council is a state agency supporting the arts, sciences, and humanities, to improve the quality of life in Massachusetts and its communities. It pursues its mission through a combination of grants, services, and advocacy for nonprofit cultural organizations, schools, communities, and artists. MCC's total budget for the current fiscal year is $10 million, which includes annual grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and other sources.

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