Worcester Art Museum Exhibition Reaches New Frontiers
Written by Mallory Trainor, Intern with the City of Worcester’s Cultural Development Division, spring 2023 On March 30th, 2023, the Worcester Art Museum’s (WAM) newest exhibition, Frontiers of Impressionism, opened for a press preview. As an intern with the City of Worcester’s Cultural Development Division, I was graciously invited to explore the exhibit along with […]
Worcester Public Library + City of Worcester Host Poet Laureate Inauguration of Oliver de la Paz
WORCESTER, MA – The City of Worcester’s Cultural Development Division and Worcester Public Library will host an inauguration ceremony for new Worcester Poet Laureate Oliver de la Paz. The ceremony will take place from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 on the first floor of the Worcester Public Library at 3 Salem St. […]
Worcester Arts Council Awards Over $277,000 in Grants for Local Arts and Cultural Programs for 2023
WORCESTER, MA February 7, 2023 – The Worcester Arts Council and the City of Worcester are proud to announce the award of 66 grants totaling $277,773 for arts and cultural programs in Worcester in 2023. The Worcester Arts Council (WAC) is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils (LCC) under the Massachusetts Cultural […]
Barr Foundation to Continue Funding JMAC Access Grants
The Worcester Cultural Coalition will receive an additional $175,000 in 2023 to further expand equitable use of the Jean McDonough Arts Center. WORCESTER, MA – January 11, 2023 Thanks to a successful 2022 partnership, the Barr Foundation will continue to support the Worcester Cultural Coalition’s goal of equitable use of the Jean McDonough Arts Center […]
Gifting Local Guide • 2022
The Worcester Cultural Coalition’s members make it easy to support the local economy this holiday season – read on for suggestions to give the gift of culture! Jump to: Holiday Experiences • Creative Fun + Education • Cultural Institutions • Memberships + Subscriptions • Music Performances • Tangible Gifts • Theatre Holiday Experiences If […]
Worcester PopUp Presents New Childhood-Inspired Exhibit, “Bouncy House Time Machine”
September 12, 2022 | WORCESTER, MA – The Jean Mcdonough Arts Center will be hosting Bouncy House Time Machine from September 14th to October 6th, with an opening reception on September 15th from 6 to 10 pm. Guests for this reception can look forward to a playfully interactive evening of art, balloons, and an adult-friendly […]
Worcester Arts Council’s FY23 Grant Applications Open September 1 through October 17, 2022
Worcester, MA – The Worcester Arts Council (WAC) is now accepting grant applications for its FY23 funding cycle. The deadline to apply is October 17, 2022. As part of a statewide network of Local Cultural Councils (LCCs), WAC receives funding through Mass Cultural Council (MCC) annually. For FY23, WAC will once again award thousands for […]
New Grant Opportunity from the Worcester Arts Council: Up to $200,000 Available for Creative Projects in Worcester
WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester Arts Council (WAC) is now accepting applications for Project Grants for Individuals, a new program through which WAC plans to award up to $200,000 in grants, in amounts of $2,500, $5,000, $7,500, or $10,000. The deadline to apply is July 10, 2022. This new grant opportunity is available thanks to an […]
Take the Worcester Arts Council’s 2022 Funding Priorities Survey & Enter to Win Ray-Ban Sunglasses
The Worcester Arts Council (WAC) is seeking community input on arts and culture in Worcester through its 2022 Funding Priorities Survey. The online survey is open now through August 8, 2022, and can be completed at: https://tinyurl.com/WACSurvey2022. Responses to this brief survey will help determine WAC’s funding priorities for its 2023 grant cycle, which opens […]
Worcester Cultural Coalition, Jean McDonough Arts Center Announce Month-long Summer Residencies
Part of a Barr Foundation-funded accessibility initiative, Month-long Residencies subsidize all venue costs and provide $15,000 in discretionary funding to local creatives. WORCESTER, MA – May 13, 2022 – After announcing the Barr Foundation’s support of a year-long accessibility initiative, the Worcester Cultural Coalition (WCC) and Jean McDonough Arts Center (JMAC) are pleased to announce […]
Barr, JMAC Increase Access For Creatives
The Jean McDonough Arts Center will receive $545,000 in funding from the Barr Foundation to expand equitable use of the Worcester PopUp and BrickBox Theater. WORCESTER, MA – January 6, 2022 The Barr Foundation has awarded $545,000 to the Worcester Cultural Coalition (WCC) to support the arts community, with an emphasis on uplifting historically marginalized […]
Worcester Arts Council to Receive $250,000 Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts as part of the American Rescue Plan
WORCESTER, MA (November 23, 2021) — The Worcester Arts Council and the City of Worcester are pleased to announce they have been selected to receive an American Rescue Plan grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to help the arts and cultural sector recover from the pandemic. The Worcester Arts Council is receiving […]
Worcester Arts Council’s FY22 Grant Applications
Open September 1 through October 15, 2021 Worcester, MA – The Worcester Arts Council (WAC) is now accepting grant applications for its FY22 funding cycle. The deadline to apply is October 15, 2021. As part of a statewide network of Local Cultural Councils (LCCs), WAC receives funding through the Mass Cultural Council (MCC) annually. For […]
Worcester Arts Council Awards Over $219,000 in Grants for Local Arts and Cultural Programs in 2021
WORCESTER, MA March 4, 2021 – The Worcester Arts Council is proud to announce the award of 65 grants totaling $219,100 for arts and cultural programs in Worcester in 2021. The Worcester Arts Council (WAC) is part of a statewide network of 329 Local Cultural Councils serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. […]
Worcester Creative Giving Campaign
Gift the power of creativity to Worcester organizations this December. WORCESTER, MA – The Worcester Cultural Coalition (WCC) is launching the first Worcester Creative Giving Campaign, an initiative which amplifies the fundraising efforts of dozens of local arts and cultural organizations. The Campaign will run December 1 – December 31, 2020. The public can learn […]
Worcester Arts Council FY21 Project & Fellowship Grant Applications Open 10/1-12/14/2020
Worcester, MA – The Worcester Arts Council (WAC) is now accepting grant applications for its FY21 funding cycle. The deadline to apply is December 14, 2020 (originally November 16, 2020). WAC accepts grant applications from individuals and non-profit organizations, from associations that can establish a non-profit objective, and from schools, libraries, and other public agencies. […]
The Worcester Arts Council is Looking for a Local Creative to Design its New Logo in 2020
The Worcester Arts Council (WAC) is looking to redesign its logo, and is inviting Worcester-based creatives to apply to work on the project. The selected designer will receive a stipend of $1,500. Those interested can learn more or apply by September 30, 2020, at: https://airtable.com/shrGTsm2xImP4gvwR Worcester Arts Council Chair Yasmin Goris says now is the perfect time for […]
Mass Cultural Council & Worcester Arts Council Push Back Grant Application Dates
A Letter from the Worcester Arts Council – July 27, 2020 Hi Everyone – We want to give you an update on our upcoming 2021 grant cycle. Typically, the Commonwealth’s operating budget is set by July 1 each year, and the Mass Cultural Council (MCC) releases its spending plan in August. However, the MCC’s planning […]
Take the Worcester Arts Council’s 2020 Funding Priorities Survey
Weigh in on Arts & Culture in Worcester and Enter to Win Bose Headphones The Worcester Arts Council (WAC) is seeking community input on arts and culture in Worcester through its 2020 Funding Priorities Survey. The online survey will be open now through September 7, 2020, and can be completed here. Responses to this brief […]
COVID-19 Impacts on the Arts – June 2020
COVID-19 has changed our way of live indefinitely. The cultural sector has been deeply impacted, and arts organizations are feeling the financial stress like never before. Read on for details on local, state-wide, and national effects to culture, and for ways to take action to ensure creative workers and institutions aren’t left behind as budgets […]
Call to Artists: Give Me A Sign
Calls to Artists: Give Me A Sign The City of Worcester Cultural Development Division, in partnership with the Worcester Cultural Coalition and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, is accepting proposals from artists and designers for the Give Me A Sign project. “The ‘Give Me A Sign’ project highlights the relationship between creative expression and mental […]
Upcoming Cultural Town Halls
Arts and cultural workers have multiple ways to share their experiences and learn more about the local, state, and federal responses to COVID-19 starting May 20, 2020. May 20, 12pm – 1pm: The Worcester Cultural Coalition and Mass Cultural Council host an online Town Hall Forum with Congressman Jim McGovern. This meeting is an opportunity […]
Federal Small Business Relief – A Letter from Assets for Artists
A letter from Blair Benjamin, MASS MoCA Director of Assets for Artists, regarding the SBA PPP program which reopened on April 27, 2020: — Hi artist advocates — Hope everyone’s doing all right through these weird times. I’m writing to make sure folks in our artist-network are thinking about whether they would be a candidate […]
Worcester Creative Relief Fund Distributes $35,000 to Local Artists
Seventy creative workers selected to receive assistance with lost income due to COVID-19. WORCESTER, MA – Two weeks after the announcement of the Worcester Creative Relief Fund, 70 local individuals in the creative sector have been selected to receive $500 grants. The Worcester Cultural Coalition and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation established these grant funds […]
Worcester Creative Relief Fund
Note: This application has been closed as of April 8, 2020. Additional resources for the creative community can be found on our Creative Community Resources page. Announcing a new source of one-time funding for individuals working in the creative sector whose income has been negatively impacted by public safety measures surrounding COVID-19. WORCESTER, MA – […]
March 13 Update: Arts, Culture, & COVID-19
A letter from Worcester Cultural Coalition Executive Director Erin Williams: Hello Cultural Community, Worcester City leadership held a press conference on March 12 to outline its response to the COVID-19 virus. The priority is to ensure safety for all residents. All City-sponsored events hosting 50 people or more are cancelled, the Senior Center is closed […]
JMAC Mentee & Intern Calls
Now Hiring: Mentee & Intern Opportunities at the Worcester PopUp & BrickBox Theatre The Worcester PopUp is a “permanent popup” space offering a place for local artists, organizations, and creatives to develop a variety of events ranging from art shows and open mics to yoga classes, lessons in drag, and more. Thanks to its funders, […]
Worcester Windows: “Dominican Carnival: A Colorful Tale of Satire and World Heritage”
EXHIBITION OPENS IN MASSACHUSETTS FOCUSED ON THE OLDEST CARNIVAL OF THE AMERICAS Guardians of Traditions & Cojuelos’ Productions Announce Exhibition Opening & Programming for “Dominican Carnival: A Colorful Tale of Satire and World Heritage” Vanessa Joga of Guardians of Traditions and Rosario Ubiera-Minaya, founder and principal of Cojuelos’ Productions, bring to the local public the […]
Worcester Arts Council Awards Over $163,000 in Grants for Local Arts and Cultural Programs in 2020
Worcester Arts Council Awards Over $163,000 in Grants for Local Arts and Cultural Programs in 2020 Worcester, MA- City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr. and Worcester Arts Council Chair Yasmin Goris have proudly announced the awarding of 53 grants totaling more than $163,000 for arts and cultural programs in Worcester in 2020. The Worcester Arts Council […]
Senator Chandler Awarded 2019 “Outstanding Woman State Legislator Supporting the Arts”
The Worcester-based Senator is being nationally recognized for her contributions to the arts in communities across Massachusetts. WORCESTER, MA November 15, 2019 – Massachusetts State Senate President Emerita Harriette Chandler has received the 2019 “Outstanding Woman State Legislator Supporting the Arts” Award. This annual award recognizes a female state lawmaker who has made significant contributions […]
Call for Submissions: Worcester Windows “Clothing, Culture, Armor!”
What: The Worcester PopUp is seeking submissions for the next Worcester Windows Exhibit. “Clothing, Culture, Armor!” will showcase the clothing that defines you and the communities you identify with, whether born or chosen. The clothing and costumes we choose to wear relate directly to the aspects of ourselves we hope to either showcase or protect. What […]
Naming Rights for Downtown Theater at 20 Franklin Street
WORCESTER, MA – October 1, 2019 – The Worcester Cultural Coalition, in partnership with the Worcester Business Development Corporation and City of Worcester, have announced the naming rights for downtown Worcester’s first black box theater. Jean McDonough has contributed $2 million for construction and operations, bolstering the launch of theater operations scheduled for spring 2020. […]
Out to Lunch 2019
Jump To: Performance Lineup New Logo Stay in Touch The City of Worcester and the Worcester Cultural Coalition are excited to announce the return of the Out to Lunch Festival and Farmers’ Market series on June 27, 2019 through September 5, 2019 on the historic Worcester Common Oval. The festival will take place Thursday afternoons […]