Above: The Southborough committee for the state agency that awards grants for culture and arts program has announced this year’s awards. (images of councils’ logos)
The Southborough Cultural Arts Council announced the over $6,400 of grants it has awarded for 2024-2025. There were some noticeable shifts in awards granted, which the council explains was based on community input.
Awards supported a range of arts and culture programs for the community including dance exhibitions, a photograph lecture series, drop-in arts, a concert for seniors, and a design workshop for teens. (Some have already taken place and others are still to come.)
Chair Kate Heusner wrote:
Our hope over the next few grant cycles is to enhance the arts ecosystem right here in the Town of Southborough. Of particular importance is ensuring that funded programs are easily accessible to residents of all ages from the youngest audience to our most seasoned elders. We are impressed with this
year’s applicants, and we hope to support a greater number of arts organizations and artists in the years ahead.
Scroll down for more details on the awards.
SCAC’s grant decisions for this funding cycle were influenced by community feedback through a survey they invited residents to complete last summer. According to a press release:
Southborough residents expressed interest in increasing programming locally, in addition to ensuring that more arts programs are accessible to all age groups, including children and seniors.
The local council, funded through the Mass Cultural Council, will hold a celebrator reception later this spring.
Below are details on the awards granted:
Colonial Gardens Concert ($570)
The Southborough Senior Center helped organize a February 12th concert for residents of the Housing Authority’s complex in Southborough (which is mainly housing for seniors). There was a great turnout for the concert (with luncheon), performed by Roger Tincknell. For residents who were homebound, bagged lunches were delivered.
(Note: This was originally pitched as a “Winter Solstice” concert, but revamped due to a schedule conflict.)
The Massachusetts High School Drama Festival ($750)
Algonquin Regional High School hosts several performances of small plays by schools participating in the annual festival put on by the Mass Educational Theater Guild. The 2025 event was last weekend, featuring five schools. (Read more here.)
Discovery Museum’s Open Door Connections ($355)
The grant supports Southborough residents’ use of the local children’s museum’s inclusivity and accessibility program “to embrace learners of all ages, abilities, economic, and cultural circumstances”. (According to Heusner, the museum provided data on the number of Southborough community members utilizing the program.) (Read more here.)
Asian Folk Dance Exhibition ($350)
Thanks to the grant, dancers held a public exhibition last month to teach community members about folkloric dance movement from eastern countries/regions. They may hold more events this year in alignment with that goal. (Read more here.)
Art in Bloom ($1,000)
The Southborough Gardeners are partnering with art students from Neary and Trottier schools. Kids’ art will serve as inspiration for the Gardeners to “interpret” through floral arrangements.
The exhibit at the Southborough Library will open with a reception on April 10th. (Read more here.)
Art on the Trails ($750)
The annual summertime exhibit along trails at Beals Preserve. (The “Call for Art” window to be part of the juried exhibit is still open until April 15th. And the annual call for inspired poetry will open this summer.)
This year’s program will be open to the public June 14th – September 14th. (Read more here.)
Community Drop in Art ($825)
Apothecary Artists Studio and Gallery is holding drop-in “Community Creativity” sessions. They invite artists/crafters to join them to work on their projects in a social setting (with an optional donation). (Read more here.)
Southborough Library Programs
Gorgeous Gardens of New England ($400)
The public is invited to “armchair tours” of gardens through the lecture series by professional photographer and former landscape architect Joanne Pearson. The 4-part series is running this March and April. (Read more here.)
Cartoon Drawing and Inking Workshop ($182)
Published graphic novelist Jonathan Todd will lead this workshop for 8-12 year olds on April 1st. (Read more here.)
Less money was dedicated this year to musical groups that recruit Southborough members. But there were still some awards granted for those:
- Interboro Community Band — for the regional instrumental band‘s Spring concert themed “Monster” ($250)
- Assabet Valley Mastersingers, Inc. — AVM‘s concert series ($250)
- Messiah Community Chorus — Southborough based chorus’ annual presentation of Handel’s Messiah at Pilgrim Church in December ($500)
Stay tuned for news on their award reception, future opportunities to provide SCAC with feedback, or apply for the next round of grants. (And you can follow them on Facebook here.)
