Westwood Cultural Council Accepting Grant Applications

The Westwood Cultural Council is currently seeking applications for grants to fund a number of community cultural programs in Westwood.

The grants would also help fund PASS, a ticket subsidy program for school-aged children. 

Interested residents can find application forms at the Westwood Town Hall, as well as both branches of the Westwood Public Library. Forms can also be found on the Massachusetts Cultural Council website, here. 

Applications need to be completed and postmarked by October 15, and applicants can send the forms to:

The Westwood Cultural Council
Westwood Town Hall
580 High St.
Westwood, MA 02090

"Historically, we have lots of requests, so people should be getting the applications in as soon as possible," said Jeannie Shapiro, a spokesperson for the Westwood Cultural Council. "And early in November we'll begin to review the requests."

Shapiro said grants have gone to such programs as the Chinese Cultural Night, which took place at Westwood High School back in March. Other programs in Westwood have included a workshop on pastel painting and programs with Bay Colony Productions, a community theater production company.

The Westwood Cultural Council belongs to a grassroots network of about 330 local councils, serving every city and town in the state. The Massachusetts legislature provides an annual appropriation to the state Cultural Council, which then allocates those funds to each individual localized council. 

This year, the Westwood Cultural Council will be distributing about $4,000 in grants that will go towards individuals and organizations looking to apply for such projects as workshops, lectures, exhibitions, festivals, science education or performing arts in Westwood.

There are funds also available for PASS, which aims to help schools and youth groups take students to cultural performances outside of school.

Grants are awarded after consideration of benefit to the community, the qualifications of the individuals and organizations, the planning process, community interest, and the population segments served.

For more information, contact Jeannie Shapiro at 781-762-9687 or email mill159@aol.com in advance of the application deadline on October.