The Reopening of the Open Door Gallery at WAM
Written by Anna-Li St. Martin, Intern with the City of Worcester’s Cultural Development Division, spring 2023 As an intern for the City’s Cultural Development Division, I had the amazing opportunity to attend the reopening of the “Open Door Gallery” at the Worcester Art Museum (ODG@WAM). On Monday, March 20th, 2023, I attended the reopening of […]
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 […]
CITY OF WORCESTER ANNOUNCES OLIVER DE LA PAZ AS NEXT POET LAUREATE
WORCESTER, MA – City Manager Eric D. Batista, Mayor Joseph M. Petty, the Worcester City Council, and the City’s Cultural Development Division have announced the appointment of Oliver de la Paz as the City of Worcester’s next Poet Laureate. The award-winning poet and literary educator will serve from January 2023 to December 2025. De la Paz […]
City of Worcester Announces Search for Next Poet Laureate
WORCESTER – Acting City Manager Eric Batista, in collaboration with the City Council and Cultural Development Division, is pleased to announce the nomination process for the City’s next Poet Laureate. The next Poet Laureate’s term will begin Jan. 1, 2023. The deadline to apply or nominate is Oct. 17. More on the City of Worcester […]
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 […]
Worcester Cultural Coalition, Jean McDonough Arts Center Announce Third Round One-Day Sponsorship Recipients
Part of a year-long Barr Foundation-funded accessibility initiative, One-Day Sponsorships subsidize all venue costs and provide local creatives $2,500 in discretionary funding.
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 […]
Work With Us: Shape the Future of Worcester’s Cultural Sector
Dear Worcester Cultural Coalition member organizations, supporters, and friends: As we shared this past February, the City of Worcester’s Cultural Development Officer and Executive Director of the Worcester Cultural Coalition Erin Williams announced her intent to step aside from her roles in June. While Erin’s departure will be leaving us with the biggest of shoes […]
PRETTY POWERFUL: A Peek into the Past of Worcester Women
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, […]
Worcester Arts Council Awards over $206,000 in Grants for Local Arts and Cultural Programs for 2022
WORCESTER, MA January 10, 2022 – The Worcester Arts Council and the City of Worcester are proud to announce the award of 57 grants totaling more than $206,000 for arts and cultural programs in Worcester in 2022. The Worcester Arts Council (WAC) is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils (LCC) under the […]
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 […]
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 […]
A Message from WCC Executive Director Erin Williams and President of the Board Tracy Kraus – June 4, 2020
Dear Worcester: We are facing a crisis that must be addressed now. The Worcester Cultural Coalition — representing arts, culture, and creative nonprofits committed to equity for all — stands together in outrage, sadness, and commitment, to address the death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department on Memorial Day. This […]
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 […]
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 […]
Women’s Suffrage: Worcester 2020
The 19th Amendment, recognizing women the right to vote, was ratified in August of 1920. Women’s Suffrage: Worcester 2020 celebrates the progress of American women since then, recognizes historic and present-day obstacles to universal suffrage, and works to increase voter education and engagement in our city. A volunteer working group drawn from various Worcester organizations and […]
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 […]
Introducing Worcester’s Poets Laureate
City of Worcester Announces Poet Laureate, Youth Poet Laureate WORCESTER, MA – City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr., Mayor Joseph M. Petty, the Worcester City Council and the Office of Cultural Development have announced the appointments of the City of Worcester Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate. The Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate will […]
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. […]
City of Worcester Poet Laureate & Youth Poet Laureate Programs
The application deadline for the Poet Laureate & Youth Poet Laureate has been extended to 9am Monday, December 9. Poets may self-nominate, or be nominated by a third party. Worcester City Manager Edward Augustus Jr., in collaboration with the Worcester City Council and Cultural Development Division, is pleased to announce the revival of the City […]
Listen Now: WCC Talks Creative Revitalization
An On-Air Interview with WXLO’s Vicki Greene by Cassie Lane Cultural Development Intern, Summer 2019 On June 9th, 2019, 104.5 WXLO-FM radio host Vicki Greene invited creative community members Hank VonHellion, Nikki Erskine, and Yaffa Fain to discuss City-wide art programs and cultural initiatives currently taking place in Worcester. The City’s growing art and culture […]
Worcester Arts Council Seeks Community Input on Funding Priorities for 2020 Grants
The Worcester Arts Council (WAC) is seeking community input through its 2019 Funding Priorities Survey. This survey will help the Council determine its funding priorities for the upcoming 2020 grant cycle, which begins September 1st, 2019. The survey is an opportunity for the community to provide input on arts and culture in Worcester. The responses […]
A Cultural Plan for the City of Worcester, Massachusetts
City of Worcester Announces Completion of First Comprehensive Cultural Plan Plan promotes a shared vision to recognize the power of culture and make communities better places for people to live, learn, work and thrive View the full Cultural Plan View the Executive Summary Worcester City Council unanimously voted on […]