SOUTHWICK – Earlier this week, the Southwick Cultural Council announced a $5,300 grant received through the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Known as the largest grassroots network in the nation for cultural funding, the Massachusetts Cultural Council provides more than $3 million in grants to more than 5,000 cultural programs statewide. The programs include school field trips, concerts, festivals, theater, dance, music, film, and more.
Members of the Southwick Cultural Council are seen at one of the many events and programs they offer to the public. (Photo from Ellen Miles)
The Southwick Cultural Council supports community projects and promotes education and diversity through areas like arts, humanities, and science. The council meets the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. in the Land Use Room at the Southwick Town Hall.
The $5,300 grant will be put towards 11 different programs that the Southwick Cultural Council would like to provide for this upcoming year. In a press release sent by the Cultural Council’s Ellen Miles, the programs that will be used from the grant include a summertime music series at Whalley Park, cheese making at the Southwick Grange, and a Victorian Christmas tradition at the Southwick Historical Society Museum. Other unique events consist of a class at the Southwick Public Library for special effects make-up as well as a cooking class at the library. More information on these programs will be announced in the near future.
One of the key programs that the Cultural Council is looking to improve is their Summer Concert Series.
“We’re able to fund the Southwick Rotary Summertime concert series,” said Susan Kochanski, Chairman of the Southwick Cultural Council. “We’re hoping to expand that.”
This past summer, the Rotary Club hosted a concert series at Whalley Park with three different concerts in July and August. Seeing success with the three concerts, the Cultural Council is looking to assist the Rotary Club again this summer and focus on expanding their sponsorships.
“Community wide, we try to mix it up and try and serve all facets of our community,” said Kochanski.
Every year, the members on the Southwick Cultural Council decide what programs they’d like to have available to the community for the upcoming year. According to Kochanski, the council will seek applications again in October of 2019 and will be available online at www.massculturalcouncil.org.
