Above: SCAC is inviting the community to celebrate the programs receiving grants to provide cultural opportunities in our area this year. (contributed image)
Next month, the Southborough Cultural Arts Council will be holding its annual grant awards ceremony. They are inviting the public to join them.
The ceremony will take place at the Southborough Library on Thursday, February 15th at 7:00 pm. Refreshments will be served.
SCAC will be celebrating the awarding of 11 grants, several of which represent multiple area events. The awards total over $6,348.
During the ceremony, 2023 grant recipient and Neary School Art Teacher Denise Johnson will give a brief presentation on programs she has organized in town and public schools.
Below are details on the programs the grants are supporting for culture in/around our town this year.
First, here’s a look at the arts/entertainment that will take place in Southborough:
Art on the Trails ($300)
Stay tuned for details (and a call for art this spring) for this summer’s annual exhibit at Beals Preserve).
Southborough Library Programs
Buildwave: A creative, hands-on building program for ages 5+ ($395)
On February 24th, the Library will host this “creative building program that feels like a video game! Over the course of the workshop students create with over a dozen different building materials, including Lego®, PlusPlus®, and custom-made Buildwave materials.” Registration is required.
Celtic Chocolate Program ($375)
On March 2nd Klassic Kreations will return with the popular program highlighting the history of chocolate in Ireland that highlights lore, foods, & poetry — complete with samples.
Tomato Growing Program ($225)
On March 19th, Blackstone Valley Veggie Gardens will return with tips on how to maximize the harvest of the number one home garden crop.
Multiple grants were also given to regional musical groups that recruit Southborough members:
- Interboro Community Band — for the regional instrumental band‘s Spring concert themed “Dance” ($400)
- Assabet Valley Mastersingers, Inc. — AVM‘s “A Choral Tapestry” Fall concert and Brahms “A German Requiem” Spring Concert ($1,000)
- Messiah Community Chorus — Southborough based chorus’ annual presentation of Handel’s Messiah at Pilgrim Church in December ($500)
- Northborough Area Community Chorus — NACC‘s 2024 Spring and Christmas Programs ($1,000)
- Westborough Community Chorus, Inc. — WCC‘s 2024 Spring and Christmas programs ($500)
Other grants were for programs that will be held nearby:
Hopkinton Center for Arts: Engaging Seniors in the Arts with Dementia-Friendly Programming ($700)
Three age & dementia friendly events will be held for adults experiencing forgetfulness or mild cognitive impairment and those living with dementia, caregivers and friends.
- February: Ken DoRosario will perform a concert and sing-along.
- Spring: Judy Smith will show participants the “Arts in Bloom” exhibition and lead them in a spring themed paint project.
- Fall: Apple Country Music Together will host this class so that participants can interact with babies and toddlers in their music class.
SheGrooves: Using Our Voices for Positive Change ($300)
I don’t have the detail’s yet on the March 9th event, but the music ensemble of contemporary female faculty and students from Berklee College of Music performs original music and highlights iconic female performers and composers. Last year’s event by the same title was:
Equal parts performance and presentation, this 90-minute family-friendly public event [exploring] how women historically have used their voices for positive change within the world.
You can see details of last year’s event at the HCA here.
