September 28, 2009

Rep. Bradley, Sen.Hedlund, Rep. Cantwell  Announce $37,400 in Cultural Grants for Local Towns

(Boston) – Rep. Garrett Bradley, D-Hingham, and Sen. Robert Hedlund, R-Weymouth, today announced that four local communities have been awarded funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council to support programs and activities.  The grants were awarded as part of a statewide funding program that is slated to distribute nearly $7 million to local cities, towns and organizations this fall.

The Cohasset, Hingham, Hull and Scituate Cultural Councils will each receive $4,000 to support local cultural activities that explore local arts and history, expand education and accessibility, and celebrate diversity.  Past grant awards have been used to help fund various programs sponsored by arts-related non-profit organizations and local schools.

In addition, the Massachusetts Cultural Council awarded direct grants to local organizations to support their programs.  The Hull Lifesaving Museum was awarded $6,900 to preserve and teach maritime skills and lifesaving heritage.  The South Shore Conservatory, based in Hingham, received $14,500 to provide access to quality education in the arts in communities south of Boston.

Representative Bradley praised the local cultural councils for their continuing efforts to provide local residents with educational and entertaining cultural activities.  “These state grants help to support the types of programs and services that directly benefit residents in the community.  They enrich the towns and teach local residents important lessons about history and the arts.”

“It is because of cultural programs such as the Hull Lifesaving Museum and Hingham Conservatory that the South Shore is such a desired place to live,” Sen. Hedlund said.

Representative James Cantwell said cultural councils help play a vital role in local history as the stewards of the traditions and stories that give the South Shore its unique character.

“For an area like ours that is so heavily steeped in history, it is important that we preserve that knowledge of our past and our culture now and long into the future,” he said.

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