The Nantucket Cultural Council on Nov. 18 approved a slate of fiscal-year 2025 community grants, awarding a series of $500 and $600 grants that the council said total $57,100 for the year.

The awards were read aloud by Shanta Louise Murphy, director of culture and tourism and staff to the council, and approved by roll-call vote during the council’s remote meeting. Council members recorded a single abstention: Tony Wagner abstained on the vote awarding $500 to the Nantucket Community Music Center for an early childhood music-and-movement program.

Why it matters: The grants support small, locally run arts and education programs on Nantucket; council members and staff said demand exceeded available funds. The council’s awards will be issued under contract after staff and finance collect required documents and prepare agreements.

Details of approved awards (amount — recipient — program):
- $500 — Artist Association of Nantucket — senior citizen art class and exhibition
- $500 — Bulgarian Education Center — Bulgarian School holiday show performance
- $500 — Linda Loring Nature Foundation — Trailside StoryWalk
- $600 — Nantucket Boys & Girls Club — Family Fun Night
- $500 — Nantucket Comedy Festival — Stand Up and Learn education program
- $600 — Nantucket Community Television — Fables
- $500 — Nantucket Island Fair — tie-dye and pumpkin painting at the Island Fair
- $500 — Small Friends on Nantucket — Shows for Small Friends
- $500 — Nantucket Book Foundation — visiting author program
- $500 — (listed as) Nantucket Maya Mitchell Association — visiting scientist harbor monitoring project data analysis

Separately the council approved a $500 award to the Nantucket Community Music Center for early childhood music and movement; the meeting record notes Wagner abstained from that particular vote.

Staff said the council had authority to issue $57,100 in awards for the year and that the council received more requests than could be funded. The exact total of grant requests was not specified in the meeting record.

The council’s staff will finalize award letters and contracts; staff said they have already received the grant funds from the Mass Cultural Council and will work with town finance to issue contracts and collect required documents.

The council set follow-up administration tasks — issuing award letters and contracts — to be completed before the council’s next meeting.