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Committee receives FY25 Worcester Arts Council grant report; $235,030 supported 51 grants and 4 fellowships
Summary
City staff presented the Worcester Arts Council’s FY2025 grant‑making report: $235,030 funded 51 grants and four fellowships, supplemented by $10,000 from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation; committee approved filing the informational communication.
The Worcester City Standing Committee on Economic Development received the Worcester Arts Council’s FY2025 grant‑making report and voted to accept the informational communication.
Peter Dunn summarized the council’s annual grant program: Mass Cultural Council funding is distributed to local cultural councils; for FY25 the Worcester Arts Council distributed a total of $235,030 to support 51 grants and four fellowships. The council also received $10,000 from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation to supplement awards. Typical grants were at or below $5,000; the FY25 cycle received 164 applications and funded under one‑third of requests.
Councilor Toomey and other members praised the program for supporting small arts organizations and individual artists. Public commenters noted programs funded this year, including Dia de los Muertos and other community festivals, and asked about earlier city‑supported events. Staff said some festivals had received separate ARPA cultural festival funds in the prior year; Start on the Street received ARPA support previously but was not listed in the FY25 Worcester Arts Council grants list presented.
The committee voted to approve the informational communication. Roll call recorded: Councilor Pacillo — yes; Councilor Toomey — yes; Chairperson Councilor Meryl Carlson — yes.
