What is the Needham Cultural Council and its purpose?
We are a group of interested residents whose purpose is to support community-based projects and activities in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences to benefit the residents of Needham. We are appointed by the selectboard to dispense public funding allocated by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. We are responsible for informing the public about the availability of public funding for cultural projects and for reviewing and approving applications. The budget of the MCC is determined annually by the state Legislature. 

We also support the Needham Cultural Community through the facilitation of communication among the many cultural organizations and their collaboration through NeedArts and other venues. 

We host two town wide cultural events: The Spring Arts Festival and New Year's Needham ,which showcase local talent and provide opportunities for new cultural experiences in our community, and participate in several other community activities each year.

The members of the Needham Cultural Council are: Jean Cronin Connolly co-chair, Louise Miller co-chair, Noreen Burdett, Sally Dempsey, Suzanne Heffernan, Caryl Johnson, Alice Kelleher, Kathleen Leahy, Claire Messing, Anne Munstedt, Kathleen Rowe,Suzanne Saevitz, and Debbie Winnick  The council is open to any resident interested in serving the community. Those interested should contact the Selectmen’s Office at the Needham Town Hall, 1491 Highland Avenue.

Who qualifies for funding?
Massachusetts-based individuals, artists, nonprofit community groups, cultural institutions and schools with a cultural project that has a public benefit component may apply.

How does someone apply for funding?
Applications are available at the Selectmen's Office at the Town Hall and at the Needham Public Library. Application forms are accessible by clicking on the link* above and are also available on line at http://www.massculturalcouncil.org where applicants can complete the form and print it out. The library offers access to the Internet.

When are applications due? How should they be completed?
The deadline for 2009 Applications is October 15th, 2008 and postmarks are acceptable. All applications should be typed and signed by the applicant and sent,  to the Needham Cultural Council at the Needham Town Hall. Programs must be specifically described with the names, artist fees, qualifications of the individual(s) leading the activity, letters of support from facility to be use and collaborators. Applicants must use physically accessible facilities.

Submit the completed original application form, nine photo copies of both sides (10 total), one set of supporting materials, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope, which will be used for your notification of funding. Supporting materials may include items such as resumes of key personnel, organizational brochures, letters of support and commitment, artist samples (video, slides, writings, portfolio, etc.). If you wish to have these materials returned, include an additional SASE stamped with the appropriate postage.

What is the process for approval?
Approximately two months after the deadline, the Needham Cultural Council will inform applicants of their approval/disapproval. Applicants have one year from the date of final approval to complete their project and apply for reimbursement. 

How is payment received?
By submitting a Reimbursement Request form along with invoices, bills, a brief financial report, and copies of promotional material to the Needham Cultural Council address listed above. Request should be within 60 days of project completion. To receive reimbursement, grantees must acknowledge the source of funding, either by using the MCC logo or the following credit line in all verbal and written promotion: "This program is supported in part by a grant from the Needham Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency." Payment takes approximately six to eight weeks.

What criteria is used to make grant decisions?
Proposals are evaluated by several considerations: benefit to the community (including projects that may benefit segments traditionally underserved by cultural activities); quality and appropriateness of the activity, evidence of planning, qualifications of the individual(s) who will lead the activity, track record of the sponsoring group, clarity of proposal. School-related proposals must be for enrichment activities and not for programs, supplies, or salaries that should be part of the school budget. School PASS grants, for reimbursement of student tickets to Arts Programs, are also considered.  The Council carefully scrutinizes repeat requests; such proposals should include other sources of support to show the project is not dependent solely on Council funding.

If you are interested in serving on the Needham Cultural Council, please contact the Selectmen's Office at the Needham Town Hall 1471 Highland Avenue - Needham, MA 02492