Earlier this week, Berkshire Creative and the Massachusetts Cultural Council co-hosted the first Berkshire based gathering of the county’s Local Cultural Council representatives.
Over 30 LCC represenatives from the twenty plus LCC’s of Berkshire County, came out to share their work, learn more about the work of Berkshire Creative, and to meet their cultural council colleagues.
The event was kicked off by Massachusetts Cultural Council Executive Director, Anita Walker, Sen. Benjamin Downing and State Representative Smitty Pignatelli, and Berkshire Creative Director, Helena Fruscio. The speaking portion was followed by an open forum to discuss each LCC’s work, mission, and priorities.
The Massachusetts Local Cultural Council (LCC) Program supports “thousands of community-based projects in the arts, humanities, and sciences annually. It “is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation,” with a network of 329 councils, “administered by 2,400 municipally appointed volunteers,” serving “all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns.”
“Each year, local councils award more than $2 million in grants to more than 5,000 cultural programs statewide. These include school field trips, afterschool programs, concerts, festivals, lectures, theater, dance, music, and film. LCC projects take place in schools, community centers, libraries, elder care facilities, town halls, parks, and wherever communities come together.”
