MCC grant

The Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) has renewed FAC’s Cultural Investment Portfolio grant for fiscal year 2018. The award can be applied to any aspect of operation, whether it be general office expenses or specific program expenses. FAC’s Board and staff are grateful to the MCC staff for their support. We deeply appreciate this recognition of our current programs and services, and of our goals for the future.

MCCThis public funding is important in many ways: in leveraging other donations, in diversifying our income sources, and in affirming our mission in the eyes of others. For FAC members, the award serves as assurance that your organization maintains high standards in programming and administration. For outsiders, the Massachusetts Cultural Council stamp of approval enhances FAC’s credibility as a viable community arts corporation, worthy of support and performing valuable services.

In MCC’s Organizational Support Program in previous years, FAC was ranked seventh of 35 applications within our discipline; our overall rating was “Strong” — 4.40 out of a possible 5. We received evaluation comments based on a written proposal as well as personal interviews and a DVD about our programs. Panelists’ observations and comments included:

  • Authentic folk dance traditions kept alive through quality public programming.
  • Maintenance of a clearinghouse of information for the folk dance world commendable.
  • Creation and oversight of an “event conflict calendar” admirable; that it is kept up to date is impressive.
  • Director highly skilled and a dedicated leader; staff qualified and committed; active and engaged volunteer base noted.
  • Successful efforts to increase community participation in the arts evident.

MCC is a state agency agency that promotes excellence, access, education, and diversity in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences, in order to improve the quality of life for all MA residents and contribute to the economic vitality of our communities. The Council pursues this mission through a combination of grant programs, partnerships, and services for nonprofit cultural organizations, schools, communities, and artists. MCC is supported by an annual appropriation from the state legislature and from the National Endowment for the Arts, and by other funding agencies.