Worcester Arts Council

"The arts, sciences, and humanities have the power to build healthier, more livable, more vital communities. They enrich, exalt, and provoke. They are an essential part of a strong educational system. They contribute enormously to our economy. They build bridges across cultures. They can be used to address--or better yet, prevent--some of our most stubborn social problems. They help us interpret our past and shape our future. They help us understand what it means to be human."

The Worcester Arts Council (formerly the Worcester Cultural Commission) is a municipal body consisting of nine members appointed by the City Manager. The Council is charged with promoting the cultural affairs of the City of Worcester; conducting studies and research and publishing reports of cultural activities; advising municipal agencies on cultural matters; and allocating funds received by the Council for cultural projects and programs.

The Council accepts grant applications on an annual basis between mid-August and October 15th, with allocations made before the end of the calendar year. Grants are issued to support arts, humanities and interpretive sciences; visual artists, performing artists, science educators, historians and other humanists; as well as community, business and civic groups, social service organizations, schools, neighborhood centers, and youth, senior and family associations. For 2010, the Worcester Arts Council granted just over $75,000 to some 60 artists and Worcester-based organizations.

In addition to its monthly meetings, held the last Thursday of each month, the Worcester Arts Council also hosts its own locally originated projects including the restoration of the Greendale Eagle Project and an annual Art in the Park Sculpture Exhibit which the Council has hosted for two straight years in Worcester's historic Elm Park.