Fitchburg Cultural Council accepts grant report, adopts new logos and sets Aug. 6 public meeting

The Fitchburg Cultural Council on April 23 accepted a grant administrator's update on the FY25 and FY26 grant cycles, approved two new logo families and set its annual public meeting for Aug. 6, council members said.

Eva Kelly, chair, called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. and read attendance. Members present included Liz Murphy, treasurer; Shara Osgood, secretary; committee members Mike Amedeo, Ricardo Barros and Jen Hemenway; SarahBeth Wheeler (on Zoom); and new member Julio Fuentes.

The council reviewed a grant update sent by the administrator (Dan). According to that report, FY25 included 72 grantees, of which nine still owe final reports; all submitted final reports already processed. For FY26, all but five grant agreements have been signed and processed, and checks were expected to be mailed Friday, April 24. One grantee rescinded an award. Committee member Mike Amedeo moved to accept the grant report; the motion carried 8–0.

Liz Murphy reported there was no financial activity in March and said more accounting transactions are expected next month. The council also voted unanimously to approve the March 20, 2026 minutes on a motion by Murphy, seconded by Jen Hemenway.

On other business, the council tabled consideration of extending ex‑officio status for Tamar Russell Brown because Brown was not present. The council set its annual public meeting for Aug. 6, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. at "FAM" after a motion by Liz Murphy and a second from Mike Amedeo; the vote was 8–0.

The council approved changes to its community survey — updating the year to 2026, swapping in the newly chosen logo and refreshing QR codes and links — on a motion by Shara Osgood, seconded by Ricardo Barros. Ricardo Barros presented proposed rebranding designs and explained the reasoning for updating the council's visual identity; the membership voted to replace the current logo with two selected families (referred to in the meeting as Family A and Family C) following an amended motion, 8–0.

Liz Murphy briefed members on a Creative Roundtable held April 15 at Canvas, saying roughly a dozen organizations attended, that connections were made and that the council spent $71 on refreshments. The communications subcommittee reported it is sourcing branded items and developing the council's Facebook presence; SarahBeth Wheeler is coordinating social posting and requested members share flyers and event details.

Council members discussed student participation: students at Fitchburg State University were described as able to participate under the standard application process; high school students would require approval from their school council. Eva Kelly offered to pursue the necessary permissions for high‑school involvement.

Members were reminded to sign up via a Google form to table at the July 3 Block Party; upcoming local performances were also noted. On a motion by Mike Amedeo, seconded by Jen Hemenway, the council voted to adjourn at 5:43 p.m., 8–0.

The extension of ex‑officio status for Tamar Russell Brown remains tabled until a future meeting.