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Millis Cultural Council asks town for $7,000 match to double local arts grants
Summary
Meghan Kelope, chair of Millis' Cultural Council, asked the Select Board to consider contributing approximately $7,000 to match state arts funding so the council can fully fund local grants and expand its June festival and a juried fall exhibition.
Meghan Kelope, chair of the Millis Cultural Council, told the Select Board on April 13 that the council would like the town to match the state arts allocation so it can double its grant pool for local artists.
"So if the town could find 7,000 for this, then that gives us, we would have been able to fund everything here at a 100%," Kelope said, describing last year’s $7,400 state allocation and $12,000 in requests that had to be cut to $7,400.
Kelope said the council funded $12,000 in grant awards this year but reduced awards to fit the $7,400 state allotment. The council also runs the June 13 festival, supports school author talks, library events, the summer concert series and the Millis Theater Group, and hopes to use additional funds for juried exhibitions, cash prizes and paid jurors.
Board members asked about previous town contributions, outreach and the council’s administrative capacity. Kelope said the council is appointed by the Select Board, is staffed by volunteers and will coordinate publicity through town channels; the board suggested channeling outreach through town social media and the council said it will meet again on May 21 to finalize festival logistics.
The board and staff encouraged the Cultural Council to apply for matching funds in the fall town meeting cycle when free cash is clearer; the Select Board asked the council to forward state award figures in August so staff can work with the council on a possible warrant article.
