WEST SPRINGFIELD — The West Springfield Arts Council has extended its deadline to Nov. 1 for grant requests for community orientated arts, humanities and science programs.
The deadline was extended because of the pandemic and an online application can be found at tinyurl.com/2z2z4s8u.
Despite the pandemic, the art council has seen an “incline in applications,” J. Anthony Digiore, council treasurer and former music educator, said.
The West Springfield Arts Council anticipates receiving $21,000 for 2022 and plans to disburse it in increments between $100 to several thousands of dollars in January. Applicants will receive an answer by December.
Priorities will be given to local programs that offer free or low cost for attendees, new programming projects from first time applicants, diversity in age groups and cultural backgrounds, local institutions, artists and programs that collaborate and sponsor community groups.
“We are always looking for something new but we are most concerned with what is good for the community,” Digiore said. “It has nothing to do with politics we look at the seven page application and see what fits for West Springfield.”
There is a criteria of 10 items applicants must meet before getting the approval. Among those things the council does not provide transportation, applicants must have all venue details planned out, as well as previous permission to use the venue before the application has been submitted.
“Last year we had enough funding for every project that came across the board,” Digiore said. “The result was five virtual programs, which hasn’t been done since the board began in 1970.”
He added, “The virtual projects were fantastic, I was impressed by the Seven Ares, a band out of New York that won a grant for $1000 last year for a concert series that was held in Southampton, I called to see if they could play in West Springfield.”
The state Legislature provides an annual appropriation to 351 local cultural councils.
Massachusetts Cultural Council works to elevate cultural life in the state by partnering with communities across the commonwealth, seeking to improve education promote diversity, expand access and encourage excellence in art.
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