"Transformative" Grant Reaches Franklin Cultural District

Mass Cultural Council, the independent state agency charged with supporting a vibrant cultural sector across the Commonwealth, was joined by state, local, and cultural partners Friday at the Danforth Art Museum at Framingham State University to celebrate the recipients of the Fiscal Year 2023 Cultural District Investment Grant Program, including the Franklin Cultural District.

In total, the Council awarded $750,000 to 50 state-designated cultural districts located in communities in every region of Massachusetts. Each district received $15,000 to support activities and goals that encourage its development and success, such as marketing and promotion, capacity building, artist or vendor fees, the development or implementation of creative community placemaking, placekeeping, or public art, collaborative cultural policy or strategic planning processes, or community-engaged and informed data collection and/or reporting.

Today’s investment, three-quarters of a million dollars, represents Mass Cultural Council’s largest grant round in the history of the Cultural District Investment Grant Program. The $15,000 grant awards made today are double the $7,500 awards approved a year ago. Mass Cultural Council was able to increase the grants due an increase in its FY23 state budget appropriation.

When she learned of her FY23 $15,000 Investment Grant, Franklin Cultural District Committee Co-Chair Pandora Carlucci was simply amazed. “This funding will be truly transformative for our district,” she said.

According  to Carlucci, the annual funding from the town is $1000, so 'transformative' is certainly not an exaggeration. "The committee is meeting this Thursday evening at 7 PM via zoom. The agenda is posted on the town website. One of the discussion items will be how the funds will be spent," she added.

“A decade ago, our partners in the Legislature asked Mass Cultural Council to develop and administer this initiative to spur cultural and economic activities in cities and towns of all sizes and in all regions of the Commonwealth,” said Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director, Mass Cultural Council. “We are immensely proud of this powerful network that works every day to uplift the diversity of creativity and culture living and working in Massachusetts, and the exciting programming the districts provide their host communities.”

Established in 2011 by an act of the state Legislature, state-designated cultural districts drive economic growth, strengthen our communities’ distinctive local character, and improve the quality of life for families across Massachusetts. By supporting cultural and creative experiences, cultural districts attract tourists and entrepreneurs, which in turn help cities and towns develop their cultural sector and expand their tax base. Cultural districts are walkable areas with a density of cultural facilities, activities, and assets. They are easy-to-navigate, act as hubs of cultural, artistic, and economic activity, and offer a place-based identity to collaborative community initiatives.

State Representatives Jack Patrick Lewis (D- Framingham), Priscila Sousa (D- Framingham), and Kate Donaghue (D- Westborough) joined Mass Cultural Council at the Danforth Art Museum today, as did Susan Nicholl, who serves as District and Special Projects Director for the Office of Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D- Ashland) and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Framingham Centre Common Cultural District. Framingham’s Director of Planning and Community Development, Sarkis Sarkisian, was also in attendance on behalf of the city.

“The Mass Cultural Council serves a vital role in supporting and expanding the rich tapestry of traditions and cultures across our Commonwealth,” said Representative Lewis. “It is an honor to join Framingham leaders in hosting the Council today, as $750,000 is awarded to cultural districts across the state, including the Framingham Centre Common Cultural District. I’ll never forget joining the late Rep. Chris Walsh in his office as he helped lay the groundwork for our local cultural district. This award is a wonderful testimony to his work and the contribution of so many in our community.”
To date, Mass Cultural Council has approved and supports the efforts of 51 state-designated cultural districts across Massachusetts. Communities interested in establishing a new cultural district are encouraged to connect with their assigned Communities Initiative staff member.