Palmer Cultural Council

New Members Needed

The Palmer Cultural Council welcomes new members.  The majority of our volunteer work is done end of October through February.  Interested persons need to submit a letter of interest with reasons why they would like to serve Palmer in this capacity to the town manager.  Term of appointment is three years.  Meetings are held at the convenience of a majority of the members; but usually during the day but night meetings can also be arranged.  If you enjoy the arts, cultural, local history, exploring the world and opportunities around you and would like our youth, families and senior citizens to enjoy the same, the Palmer Cultural Council is for you!  palmerculturalcouncil@gmail.com.  We'd love to hear from you!

2023-2024 Members

Palmer Cultural Council Members for 2023-2024 year are :

• Beth Zelazo, Chairperson
• Sandy Noonan
• Donald Blais
• Janice Fountain
• Jan McCoy
• Kathy Scarglia, Treasurer
• Judi Bechard, Secretary
• Chris Reim

Palmer Cultural Council Seeks Grant Applications

PALMER CULTURAL COUNCIL SEEKS FUNDING PROPOSALS

The Palmer Cultural Council has set an October 17^th deadline for organizations, schools, and individuals to apply for grants that support cultural activities in the community.

 According to Council spokesperson, Beth Zelazo, these grants can support a variety of artistic projects and activities in Palmer including exhibits, festivals, field trips, short-term artists residencies or performances in schools, workshops and lectures.

A high priority will be given to projects that address cultural equity, diversity inclusion and encourage community involvement and a diverse audience. Projects appropriate for youth, teens and families are highly recommended.  Respondents of the council’s Community Input Survey indicated their desire for projects in nature and science, arts education in the schools, community wide gatherings, theater, field trips for students to museums, science centers or performances and projects celebrating local history and neighborhood revitalization.  Artists and groups must have booked a program date and time with a local venue.  Organizations or individuals that have received funding for the last three years will receive a lower priority.

 The Palmer Cultural Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils serving 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth.  The LCC Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences and humanities every year.  The state legislature provides an annual appropriation to the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, which then allocates funds to each community. 

Last year, the Palmer Cultural Council distributed approximately $11,400 in grants.  Previously funded projects include Palmer Library summer series programs, holiday crafts festival at Pulaski Park, hip hop Dance chair exercises for seniors, media recording equipment for PHS Life Needs Class, Palmer villages, Palmer voices history preservation project, Bad News Jazz concert, PHS field trip to Hanover Theater,  and Three Rivers Chamber food truck and artisan markets at Hyrniewicz Park.

For local guidelines and complete information on the Palmer Cultural Council contact palmerculturalcouncil@gmail.com , their Facebook page or at massculturalcouncil.org.  On-line applications will be available beginning September 1 at massculturalcouncil.org.