The South Hadley Cultural Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils (LCCs) serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The LCC Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences and humanities every year. The state legislature provides an annual appropriation to the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), a state agency, which then allocates funds to each community. Funds are awarded based on individual community cultural needs, assessed and set by Council members. Decisions about which activities to support are made at the community level by the municipally appointed volunteers who serve on LCCs. For South Hadley’s local guidelines and recent grant awards visit: https://massculturalcouncil.org/local-council/south-hadley/

2025 Grant Cycle info: The Mass Cultural Council has awarded the South Hadley Cultural Council $18,000 to distribute among grant applicants for 2025 projects. Applications for the 2025 grant cycle will open on September 1, 2024, on the Mass Cultural Council’s webpage. All applications must be submitted through the MCC site during the time it is open from September 1 through October 16, 2024. Application form and additional info can be found at: https://massculturalcouncil.org/communities/local-cultural-council-program/application-process/

The South Hadley Cultural Council especially welcomes applications for:
 - Programs and organizations by and for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities
 - Programs and organizations that make arts and culture more accessible to more South Hadley residents, including individuals with disabilities, low-income communities, seniors, and individual artists
 - Programs and organizations that bring art and culture to students in South Hadley Public Schools and to South Hadley youth

Showcase South Hadley is organized by a dedicated group of volunteers who believe in the power of the arts to uplift the human spirit. Especially as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, opportunities to connect with our neighbors are vital to rebuilding the social fabric of our community. Guided by the South Hadley Cultural Council, our Steering Committee is pleased to partner with Music & Arts South Hadley (MASH), the Town of South Hadley, and the Mass Cultural Council to present a long joyous weekend of celebration and discovery - showcasing the hidden talents of those around us.