The range and resilience of the arts, education, and public affairs, despite the limitations of a lengthy pandemic, are reflected in the latest round of grants from the Bedford Cultural Council.
The 35 grants totaled $11,400 for recent or upcoming cultural programs in Bedford or for Bedford residents, ranging from music and performing arts to virtual programs on history and antiracism. The money was approved by last summer’s annual town meeting as part of the budget, supplemented by funds from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, appropriated by the Legislature.
“We received a record number of applications, many from first-time applicants, highlighting the great need for cultural program funding,” said Barbara Purchia, who chairs the Cultural Council.
Decisions about which activities to support are made at the community level by members of the council, appointed by the Select Board. Besides Purchia, members are Breena Daniell, Bobbie Ennis, Jane Franklin, Elaine Grace, Rebecca Hazelton, Chuck Lipson, Judy Mabry, Angel Pettitt, Susan Schwartz, and Christine Wojnar.
Purchia joined the Select Board and Town Manager Sarah Stanton in announcing the grants. Also joining in the recognition were the town’s two legislators, state Rep. Kenneth Gordon and State Sen. Michael Barrett.
Purchia pointed out that “all sectors of the Bedford community benefit from the programs and events that are sponsored in part by a grant from the BCC. We want to thank the Town of Bedford for their continued support of the grant program.”
“Arts and culture are a vital part of any thriving community, and it’s gratifying to know that so many rich cultural experiences will be available to Bedford even in Covid times,” said Emily Mitchell, Select Board liaison to the Cultural Council. Stanton added, “During the pandemic, arts and culture are more vital than ever in terms of the strength and fabric of the Bedford community and for our residents’ quality of life.”
Gordon, a former Bedford Cultural Council chair, praised “the hard work and dedication of this group. Bedford residents should feel proud of their town and grateful to this group when they notice the wonderful statues, gardens, and artworks on display in town, or when they read about musical, theatrical, and educational opportunities provided through grants offered by this program.” Barrett said, “From the looks of it, local volunteers buckled down and stretched every dollar to support an impressive 35 organizations.”
Recipients in alphabetical order are: Bedford Arts and Crafts Society; Bedford Center for the Arts—the Photo Group, and Jodi Hilton; Bedford Embraces Diversity, for a joint project with the Parents Diversity Council; Bedford Free Public Library; Bedford High School—Christy Walker Magoon, Jillian Butler, and Katrina Faulstich; Bedford Historical Society; and Bedford TV.
Also Concord Chorus; Concord Orchestra; Discovery Museum; Eileen Herman-Haase—Dance Caliente; Kammerwerke Double Wind Quintet; Job Lane School—Jennifer Ferrari and Mark West; Nashoba Learning Group: Emilly Wheet and Roger Tincknell; Howie Newman; John Root; Sarah Scoville; Annemarie Silver; Silver-Ebony-Ivory Trio; The Bedford Citizen; and Leslie Wittman.
Click this link to learn more about this year’s grants, or this link to learn more about Bedford’s local Cultural Council.
There are 329 local cultural councils serving the 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. Purchia said this is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation.
The Bedford Cultural Council will seek applications again in the fall. For guidelines and complete information on the Bedford Cultural Council, contact Purchia at 781-275-2464 or [email protected].
Mike Rosenberg can be reached at [email protected], or 781-983-1763
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