FAC receives Massachusetts Cultural Council grant
The Folk Arts Center is approved for a Massachusetts Cultural Council Organizational Support grant in the amount of $5,200 for fiscal year 2008. This is the second year of funding in a three-year cycle. The award can be applied to any aspect of operation, whether it be general office expenses or specific program expenses.
 This public funding is important in many ways: in leveraging other donations, in diversifying our income sources, and in affirming our mission in the eyes of others. For FAC members, the award serves as assurance that your organization maintains high standards in programming and administration. For outsiders, the Massachusetts Cultural Council stamp of approval enhances FAC’s credibility as a viable community arts corporation, worthy of support and performing valuable services.
FAC was ranked seventh of 35 applications within our discipline; our overall rating was “Strong” - 4.40 out of a possible 5. We received evaluation comments based on a written proposal as well as personal interviews and a DVD about our programs. Panelists’ observations and comments included:
- Authentic folk dance traditions kept alive through quality public programming.
- Maintenance of a clearinghouse of information for the folk dance world commendable.
- Creation and oversight of an “event conflict calendar” admirable; that it is kept up to date is impressive.
- Director highly skilled and a dedicated leader; staff qualified and committed; active and engaged volunteer base noted.
- Successful efforts to increase community participation in the arts evident.
The Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) is the Commonwealth’s agency for promoting the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences. MCC is supported by an annual appropriation from the state legislature and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Wallace Foundation, and others. Individual MCC awards are approved by panels of qualified judges from the arts community throughout the state.
FAC’s Board and staff are grateful to the MCC staff and panelists for their support. We deeply appreciate this recognition of our current programs and services, and of our goals for the future.
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