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 in September 2022.

“You can help shape arts and culture in the city by taking the Worcester Arts Council’s Funding Priorities Survey. Your responses directly influence where our annual grant funds go,” said Worcester Arts Council Chair Jennifer Riley. “Plus, the survey takes less than 5 minutes to complete, and you could win a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses just for completing it!”

Those who complete the survey also have a chance to win a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses of their choice, worth up to $300. WAC is offering this raffle prize to encourage survey participation.

Last year, WAC saw its highest Funding Priorities Survey participation ever, with over 2,000 responses. This year, the Council seeks to build on that success to gain even more participation, and broader demographics among survey respondents.

“It’s very important that these survey responses represent a wide variety of perspectives, lived experiences, and voices from across Worcester. We have extensive outreach plans again this year, and will be distributing the survey to community members all around the city,” Riley said.

Because WAC is responsible for distributing public dollars, the Council seeks community input about how to best distribute those funds through its Funding Priorities Survey each year. Like most Local Cultural Councils across the state, WAC typically receives more grant requests than can be funded. Strong priorities based on community input help guide its grant-making decisions.

“WAC deeply values the community input we receive each year,” said Riley. “The annual funding priorities we establish are based directly on these survey responses. We prioritize grant applications that align with what the Worcester community tells us is most important to them. This is an opportunity to have your say — and your voice truly matters!”

WAC also intends to publish a report with the survey results again this year, and will share the report with other local arts and cultural organizations.

The Worcester Arts Council is part of a statewide network of 329 Local Cultural Councils supported through the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC). The Local Cultural Council (LCC) Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, humanities, and sciences. This program assists the Worcester community in the development of local projects and adds to the cultural vitality of the city.

The current Worcester Arts Council members are Jennifer Riley (Chair), Lisa Malo (Vice Chair), Brandon Lewis (Secretary), Christopher Rich (Treasurer), Silvana Boaheng, Sean Brennan, David Filar, and George Sedares. 

About the Worcester Arts Council:

The Worcester Arts Council (WAC) is a municipal body consisting of nine members appointed by the City Manager. The Council is charged with promoting the cultural affairs of the City of Worcester and allocating funds received by the Council for cultural projects and programs. The mission of the Worcester Arts Council is to promote excellence, access, education and diversity in the arts, humanities and interpretative sciences to improve the quality of life for Worcester residents and contribute to the economic vitality of our City. The Worcester Arts Council is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. For more information visit: www.worcesterma.gov/cultural-development/worcester-arts-council

About the Massachusetts Cultural Council:

The Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) is a state agency that promotes excellence, access, education, and diversity in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences to improve the quality of life for all Massachusetts residents and contribute to the economic vitality of our communities. The Council pursues this mission through a combination of grant programs, partnerships, and services for nonprofit cultural organizations, schools, communities, and artists. For more information visit: http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/about/about.asp

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Written by Sarah Lolya, Intern with the City of Worcester’s Cultural Development Division, winter 2022

On October 26, 2021, The Worcester Historical Museum opened PRETTY POWERFUL – an exploration and celebration of the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote, as seen through fashion. As an intern with the City of Worcester’s Cultural Development Division, I was given the opportunity to experience a behind-the-scenes look at the exhibition with the media and creative staff. Immediately upon receiving an invitation, I was excited for this opportunity to learn more about the history of women in Worcester – the city I call home – through a lens of fashion. I majored in Art History at Clark University, so naturally my favorite way to learn about history is through art, fashion, and culture.

Upon my arrival at the museum, I was greeted by six members of the POWERFUL team. While not all represented, I learned that the entire team consisted of experts in diverse fields – artists, clothes makers, women’s historians, Worcester natives and more. Over the past 39 months, each member has contributed their expertise, time, and efforts to bring this exhibition to life. For this exciting insider look of the exhibition, I was joined by local news channels, blog writers, and journalists. The sneak-peek began with an overview of PRETTY POWERFUL and its goal to showcase the evolving roles of women in the century following the approval of the 19th amendment – which prohibited denying someone the right to vote on the basis of sex. My interest began to grow even more as each member of the team explained their personal experiences and goals of the exhibition.

The guest curator of the exhibition, Dr. Charlotte Haller, is a History professor at Worcester State University who specializes in American and Women’s Studies. Her talk provided an in-depth historical background of PRETTY POWERFUL and women’s voting rights. She provided us with an important reminder, which is reflected in the exhibition, that not all women gained the right to vote in 1920. Voter suppression tactics and inequality robbed minority women from accessing the right to vote – a right which was gained only after marginalized groups fought for their own enfranchisement throughout the 20th century. Especially after the important voting year that this country has just experienced, I was glad to see that the exhibition brings up vital conversations on inequality and voter suppression that remain relevant today.

Executive Director of the Worcester Historical Museum, Bill Wallace, also described how PRETTY POWERFUL aligns with the museum’s commitment to be stewards of Worcester’s collective history and his ambition that every person in Worcester who walks into the exhibition gallery feels that their story is represented and included.

Finally, exhibition co-chair Marlene Persky explained her hopes that the exhibition may help us connect and honor the women who come before us. Her speech reminded me that much of what I am able to do today is possible because of the women before me who fought to pave the way for modern women’s success. It is a reminder to celebrate every single woman who worked hard so that we may continue to break barriers and shatter glass ceilings. Even before seeing the exhibition, I sat amongst inspirational Worcester women of all generations, women who have worked hard to get to where they are, women who made me feel pretty powerful.

On the surface, this exhibition celebrates the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote. However, as I walked through the gallery and heard the backstory of each of the 35 showcased outfits, I quickly realized how much more there was to the display. Every mannequin had been meticulously dressed in an outfit that shared a little bit about its owner – their personality, life, and the time they occupied. I was taken aback by the effect. Here I stood amongst beautiful art deco ball gowns, handmade 1950s cocktail dresses, work clothes worn by women on the frontline of World War II, a suit worn by first female Vice President, Kamala Harris, and much more.

As you enter the room, the outfits loosely flow in chronological order – creating a visually impactful timeline of changing roles through adaptations in styles, fabrics, hemlines, and inspirations. Walking through the gallery, I felt as if I just had the pleasure to meet many incredible Worcester women and catch a glimpse into the beautiful and meaningful lives they led. Not only did I feel connected to the women who have come before me, but I also felt more connected to Worcester, a city which has been the breeding grounds of change and innovation over the past three hundred years.

Perhaps most striking was the skillful way the exhibition presented the evolving story – each outfit so different from the next, each outfit so intricately intertwined with the time period in which it was created, and yet each lends a unique perspective to the collective tapestry that reveals the history of women in Worcester. The exhibition leads you to a final photo mural of Morgan Johnson, a young woman and modern change-maker who represents the next generation of women who continue to challenge convention and make the world a better place. This exhibit became so much more than an exploration of fashion or the history of voting – for me it was one of the most breathtaking and unique opportunities to remember and honor some of the women who have enabled me to be where I am today and to reach further than they could tomorrow.

Whether it is because the story resonated with them or because they found inspiration for their own wardrobe, I believe every visitor will leave with one or two outfits that they cannot stop thinking about. I sat down to write this with the intention of sharing one outfit that spoke to me the most, thinking it would be an easy task. While reflecting on the experience, flipping through my notes, and scrolling through photos, I proved myself wrong. Every single object in that gallery deserves to be highlighted in a moment of recognition and I know I could spend hours delving into the rich histories that each one shares.

However, if I am to highlight just one, it would have to be this stunning sequined gold minidress that tells the story of two survivors, and a family bond that flourished in Worcester. This 1960s dress was made in Worcester by Fela Hermann for her cousin, Marcia Weissman. Both women were German natives born into Jewish families. As Nazis began to occupy the country, Weissman escaped from Germany through Sweden in 1939, came to America and eventually settled in Worcester. Hermann, on the other hand, assumed a false identity to avoid being identified as Jewish and worked as a servant for Nazi officers. After surviving the war, Hermann studied fashion design at the Ort School of Design in Munich, worked in the fashion industries of Austria, England, Italy, and France, and eventually moved to Worcester in the early 1960s to reconnect with her cousin, Marcia Weissman. With hopes of introducing European fashion to Worcester, the cousins opened Fela Boutique on Pleasant Street in 1961. The sequined minidress was made soon after the boutique opening for Marcia Weissman to wear to a social event.

To me, this dress is a symbol of the two cousins’ collaboration and a celebration of their lives and accomplishments in Worcester, as well as the hardships and dangers that these two overcame before settling in Massachusetts. Its presence in the show is a reminder of the many backgrounds of Worcester residents, of the diverse cultural history present in the city, of the incredible obstacles people have overcome – and the beauty, peace, love, and power that can be contained within something as seemingly-simple as a cocktail dress.

I left the Worcester Historical Museum with a new perspective and found myself thinking a little bit more about how I express myself through my clothes as I got dressed each day. This exhibition helped me step outside the busyness of my life to take a moment of gratitude for all those who have come before me. This is a gratitude that I carry with me every day as I navigate the opportunities that the PRETTY POWERFUL women helped me achieve.

PRETTY POWERFUL is open now at the Worcester Historical Museum through March 31, 2022. Click here to learn more at WorcesterHistory.org.

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The Worcester Cultural Coalition’s annual Legislative Breakfast will be attended by local, regional, and state legislatures who want to learn how to better support the arts.

Click here to register for the Legislative Breakfast on Zoom.

Build your action plan to advocate for the arts using these ideas.

WORCESTER, MA February 23, 2021 – Since 2005, the Worcester Cultural Coalition’s annual Legislative Breakfast has been an opportunity for local arts, culture, and creative workers and organizations to express their concerns to their legislatures directly, and for legislatures to share their progress in return. On March 5, 2021, the call for engagement and the conversation to follow will be unlike those before it.

“Arts, culture, and creativity are the secret sauce which brings Worcester to life, from performance venues and museums, to arts education, and beyond,” said Worcester City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr. “As much as local leaders and government officials may aim to support the creative sector, it is important to make sure the work we are doing is equal to the task, and, as we have had to do during the COVID-19 pandemic, to adjust our courses if necessary.”

“Conversations during the WCC’s Legislative Breakfast shed light on the powerful work of the creative sector, and address advocacy, funding, and opportunities. Between the pandemic’s impact on the cultural community, systemic issues of inequity, and the release of Worcester’s Cultural Plan, there’s a lot of ground to cover,” said Erin Williams, executive director of the Worcester Cultural Coalition.

The agenda for the 90-minute program includes a poem presented by Worcester Youth Poet Laureate Amina Mohammed and brief presentations on the states of shuttered venues, youth arts education, and community-based equity. These presentations will be followed by a discussion moderated by Michael Bobbitt, newly appointed executive director of the Mass Cultural Council, with Congressman Jim McGovern, Senator Harriette Chandler, and City Manager Augustus.

Williams notes that the past year has been a year to remember. “Between the pandemic, social justice, and climate change, the challenges we face in our creative community and as a society can’t be ignored. Creative minds are adept at pivoting and we are ready to meet all challenges to build a better creative city. Much of our individual and collective work has gone virtual, which in many ways has made it easier for people to experience programs and exchange ideas. It’s a welcome addition to the ways we can engage with everyone.”

According to the most recent data collected by the Mass Cultural Council, the pandemic has had a significant impact on cultural organizations in Massachusetts. More than $484 million in revenue was lost between March and October 2020, and over 30,000 jobs were affected in the same time period. Grants, loans, and other economic relief programs have been announced and are ongoing, as have many other initiatives. With the many changes in the world over the past year, Williams says the job isn’t done once these initiatives are rolled out; measuring their success is essential as well.

“The cultural community’s needs are great, and we have a long history of bringing people together and finding creative solutions to life’s challenges. We believe our embrace of technology over the last year will increase the impact of this year’s Legislative Breakfast, and it will be inspiring,” Williams said.

Register for the 2021 Legislative Breakfast, from 8:30 – 10am on Friday, March 5 on Zoom: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcrdOmspj8rHdLvc2BQGtv-3Lvuo4ekf72w

The public are invited to submit questions to the Legislative panel, keeping in mind that this conversation will focus on to arts, culture, and creative community topics. Submit questions to Culture@WorcesterMA.gov by Thursday, March 4 at 9am.

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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 more and find organizations of interest at WorcesterCulture.org/Give.

“From local museums, music and theater venues, and performance groups to galleries, educational institutions, festivals, and beyond, COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the continuity of the creative sector,” said Erin Williams, Executive Director of the WCC.

According to a November report from the Mass Cultural Council, artists and cultural organizations in Massachusetts reported $504 million in lost revenue and over 30,000 jobs impacted since March. “Organizations within Massachusetts’ cultural sector were among the first to voluntarily close and will be the last to fully reopen because of COVID,” said David T. Slatery, Acting Executive Director of the Mass Cultural Council.

“During times of seclusion, we rely on arts and culture to bring us comfort and joy, and ultimately keep our community connected,” said WCC Chair Tracy Kraus. She added that, “arts and culture breathe life into our city. Supporting nonprofit and cultural organizations is critical to protecting our city’s vitality for years to come.”

Founded in 2000, the Worcester Cultural Coalition is a public-private partnership between the City of Worcester and nearly 80 cultural nonprofits in greater Worcester. Through collective efforts, the WCC supports and advocates for the arts at local, state, and national levels. “We’re fortunate that Worcester’s creative institutions recognize the value of community,” Williams said. “Because the Coalition formed 20 years ago, we’re not facing the challenges of the pandemic alone. We’re facing them together.”

At the 9-month mark since COVID-19 disrupted daily life in Massachusetts, cultural organizations of all sizes are facing significant financial difficulties. With the next steps around the virus uncertain, the costly operational changes required to ensure safety and fund ongoing programming are out of reach for many. Supporting greater Worcester’s cultural organizations through collective work, the WCC’s Creative Giving Campaign encourages the public to select one or more local organizations which are accepting donations.

“Through public giving support, Greater Worcester’s cultural organizations can raise the funds that may make the difference between closing the book and creating the next chapter,” said Williams.

The Worcester Creative Giving Campaign launching on Giving Tuesday is no coincidence. Donors are gifting the power of creativity to a city when they need it the most.

“After all, what is Worcester without the arts?” Williams asked.

For the full report from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, visit: https://massculturalcouncil.org/blog/survey-shows-continued-staggering-impacts-of-covid-19-on-states-cultural-sector/

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Community Input Needed for Outdoor Concert Series

With enough community support, Worcester will host a new 10-day outdoor concert series in the summer of 2020

UPDATE – November 21, 2019 – the Worcester Cultural Coalition has made it to the final round of the Levitt AMP grant application. Thank you to everyone who voted, shared, and encouraged others to do the same! The Levitt Foundation will announce the 15 recipients of the $25,000 matching grant on December 20, 2019. View the top 25 cities at LevittAMP.org.

WORCESTER, MA November 1, 2019 – The Worcester Cultural Coalition, in partnership with the City of Worcester and Green Island Resident Group, Inc., have advanced to the voting round of the Levitt AMP [Your City] grant application process. Should Worcester be awarded one of 15 available grants, the funds will be used to create a 10-week free, live music concert series during the summer of 2020 at Crompton Park.

Supporters are asked to register and vote at levittamp.org/vote  before November 20 at 8 p.m. Once voting closes, the Levitt Foundation will review the Top 25 finalists’ proposals and announce the 15 Levitt AMP 2020 winners on December 20.

The Levitt AMP Worcester Music Series would take place at Crompton Park with weekly concert programming tentatively scheduled for 10 Wednesday evenings beginning June 24, 2020. In addition to live music, the event would feature food vendors, community performances, interactive amenities and more.

“One of the criteria for the Levitt AMP grant is to host a program in an underserved section of your city,” said Yaffa Fain, program assistant of Worcester’s Cultural Development Division. Fain recently completed curation and management of the popular Out To Lunch Festival & Farmers Market series on the Worcester Common during the summer of 2019. “There’s a lot that goes into coordinating performers, vendors, and the public, and it’s great to give people a reason to stop and enjoy what’s going on around them. We’re looking forward to hosting Out To Lunch in 2020, and we’re also excited to hopefully bring a new major summer concert series to Worcester and activate another space in the city,” she said.

A successful campaign for Worcester requires community participation to secure Worcester’s place as one of 25 national finalists. Community support, as measured by the number of online votes received, will be one of the key factors considered when the Levitt Foundation determines the 2020 Levitt AMP Grant Award winners. “We’ll only be able to do this with enough votes,” Fain cautioned.

Worcester’s Crompton Park was selected for several reasons, including proximity to public transit and highways, and renovations currently underway. According to a recent press release from the City of Worcester, Crompton Park is undergoing a $1.4 million renovation, including new accessible pathways, benches and bleachers, safety upgrades, and construction of two NBA-sized basketball courts. “The City of Worcester is investing in making Crompton Park a safe, beautiful, and accessible space. We’re doing our part to make it a fun, creative, and well-used space for everyone,” said Erin Williams, Cultural Development Officer for the City of Worcester.

Sponsored by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, a national foundation dedicated to strengthening the social fabric of America through free live music, the Worcester Cultural Coalition hopes to qualify as one of the Top 25 finalists competing for a $25,000 2020 Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Award.

The Worcester Cultural Coalition asks supporters to spread the word to family, friends, colleagues and neighbors and to rally the community to sign up and vote for the Levitt AMP Worcester Music series proposal. With the Worcester community’s vote, the Worcester Cultural Coalition is thrilled to offer new, diverse cultural programming to the community.

#ArtsForAll #MakeArtEverywhere #ArtsMatterHere

About the Worcester Cultural Coalition

The Worcester Cultural Coalition (WCC) is a public-private partnership established in 1999 between the City of Worcester and 12 cultural organizations. Today, membership stands at 78 organizations, accounting for more than 2.7 million visitors to Worcester annually. Its mission is to draw on Worcester’s rich and diverse cultural assets to foster economic revitalization, support active, creative engagement for all, and to promote a strong cultural identity for Greater Worcester. The WCC supports and encourages action that meets these creative goals of the Worcester Cultural Plan promoting cultural equity and creative community engagement. Learn more at www.worcesterculturalcoalition.org

About the Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant:

The Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards is matching grant opportunity created by the Levitt Foundation to serve small to mid-sized towns and cities to create thriving community destinations. Grant recipients will each be awarded $25,000 in matching funds to produce their own Levitt AMP Music Series—a free, outdoor concert series featuring a diverse lineup of professional musicians. Learn more at levittamp.org.

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