Local Cultural Council Grants

The Cambridge Arts Council offers Local Cultural Council (LCC) Grants as part of the Massachusetts Cultural Council's statewide funding program. Designed to support arts, humanities, and interpretive science programming, this opportunity provides project-based grants of up to $5,000 for individuals or organizations serving the City of Cambridge. These grants are awarded annually and must result in a public benefit for Cambridge residents through cultural events, public art, workshops, or field trips. Applications are open from September 2, 2025, and must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on October 16, 2025, through the Mass Cultural Council's application portal. Applicants are limited to one application per cycle and may not apply to multiple Cambridge Arts grant categories within the same cycle. The grants are competitive and reviewed by community panels, with award notifications expected in February or March 2026. Funding may be used for a variety of purposes, including artist fees, materials, venue rentals, accessibility services, and other associated costs. Projects must occur in Cambridge and be completed between July 1, 2025, and December 31, 2026. Projects serving Cambridge Public Schools or involving public art installations require additional letters of eligibility or pre-approval before the October 8, 2025, early eligibility deadline. Eligible applicants include individuals, nonprofits, public agencies, schools, and religious organizations with cultural programming. All applicants must demonstrate a clear community benefit and are encouraged to submit supplemental materials such as letters of support, timelines, evaluation plans, and artistic work samples. Matching funds are recommended but not required. Projects may not receive funding more than two consecutive years for the same initiative unless the project is significantly different. Evaluation criteria include the quality and creativity of the project, relevance and benefit to diverse communities, experience and qualifications of key personnel, and clarity and feasibility of the budget, timeline, and evaluation plans. Accessibility, equity, and community relevance are central values in the review process. Applicants are encouraged to attend optional info sessions on September 8, 15, 22, 29, and October 6, 2025, from 5–6 p.m. Questions about the application process may be directed to Maura Mendoza at mmendoza@cambridgema.gov or to program manager Deena Anderson at danderson@cambridgema.gov. Projects involving public art should also contact Lillian Hsu or Hilary Zelson at Cambridge Arts.

Submit only one application. Be clear and concise. Avoid jargon. Attend info sessions on Sept 8, 15, 22, 29, and Oct 6. Contact staff for help with concept development and eligibility guidance.