Dear Editor:
Many thanks to Amy Krzanik (“Lenox Cultural Council Awards Grants,” 2/25) for bringing to light the important work done by local cultural councils.
Each year the Massachusetts State Cultural Council apportions funds to hundreds of LCCs, who in turn review grant applications and award funding to those that best meet the criteria set forth by each individual council. There is, unfortunately, never enough money to go around, but we are grateful that Massachusetts recognizes the importance of the arts and is willing to distribute whatever their budget will allow to communities large and small.
Tyringham is one of the smallest such communities, but we nevertheless receive our allocation each year and do our best to support those projects that benefit our population and that of the surrounding area. This year, we received more than 30 applications requesting approximately $17,000. Almost all were worthy, but with a budget of less than $5,000, priorities had to be set and decisions had to be made. I am happy to report that we were able to fund 19 of those applications with grants ranging from $100-$900. The committee was also pleased that this year we received, not only more applications than previously, but proposals for several new and exciting projects. Those included a community reading program (“Tyringham Reads Together”), a live performance based on the history of women in Tyringham (“Women of Tyringham”), and an innovative plan to upgrade and update our small but vitally important library (“Building a 21st Century Library”).
Applications for 2022 will be available in the fall. For more information on the process and deadlines, please visit: www.mass-culture.org
Many thanks to all who applied this year and best wishes to those whose programs will be running in the coming months—not only in Tyringham but throughout the county!
Steve Rubin, Chair
Tyringham Cultural Council
