What Is The Salem Cultural Council? 

What would our communities along the North Shore be like without concerts, cultural programs, galleries, arts programs for children and so much more? It certainly wouldn’t be the culturally rich region we know it to be. 

Wondering who works to bring all of the wonderful arts and cultural opportunities to our communities? There are many groups that enhance the cultural and artistic side of our lives including the Massachusetts Cultural Council and closer to home the Salem Cultural Council. Let’s take a closer look at how they enrich our region culturally and economically. 

What is the Massachusetts Cultural Council? 

The Mass Cultural Council works to elevate our rich cultural life in Massachusetts. They work on partnering with communities across the Commonwealth to expand access, improve education, promote diversity, and encourage excellence in the arts, humanities, and sciences. Through their efforts, including planning, funding, and programming, they make our state a better place to live, work, and visit for everyone.

According to the Mass Cultural Council, “Massachusetts artists are at the heart of our rich cultural life. Using form, sound, color, language, and movement, artists help us interpret our past, understand the present, and envision a better future. Their work breaks down barriers and helps us appreciate what it means to be human. That’s why we believe that supporting artists and art is essential to our mission.”

What Is The Salem Cultural Council? 

The Salem Cultural Council joins communities across the state to make up the Massachusetts Cultural Council. 

Specifically, the Salem Cultural Council is eager to award grants to individuals that reside, work, or have an organization based in Salem as they work to bring arts and cultural opportunities to our community.

Online applications for grants open on September 1, 2022, and the deadline for the next grant cycle will be October 17, 2022. Any Massachusetts resident can apply, but we give priority to those who follow our stated council priorities.

This year’s theme is “Connecting Salem to its Vast History.” The Council encourages applicants who would like to create a large permanent, semi-permanent, or enduring project that fits the theme to apply. They consider committing a significant share or the majority of their funds to this type of project.

• Applicants who reside, work, have an organization in Salem or have an established partnership with an organization based in Salem.
• Programs that activate unexpected or underutilized canvases and performance spaces within the city of Salem.
• Programs that take place in Salem or benefit the residents of Salem.
• Programs that celebrate and promote the diversity of our community.
• Programs that are educational and accessible for the community, regardless of age or ability.