Worcester Arts Council adds incentive in search for community priorities feedback

Victor D. Infante, Telegram & Gazette
Updated ·3 min read
The Worcester Arts Council is asking residents of the city to participate in its 2024 Funding Priorities survey.
The Worcester Arts Council is asking residents of the city to participate in its 2024 Funding Priorities survey.

WORCESTER – The Worcester Arts Council is asking residents of the city to participate in its 2024 Funding Priorities survey and they've added another incentive to participate:

“By taking the Worcester Arts Council’s Funding Priorities survey, you can help shape arts and culture in the city. Your responses directly influence where our annual grant funds go,” Worcester Arts Council Chair Jennifer Riley said. “Plus, the survey takes less than 5 minutes to complete and you could win two ‘family’ annual memberships to the cultural institutions of your choice just for completing it.”

The giveaway winner will be allowed to choose two "family" memberships to any two of the following cultural institutions, valued up to $400: Worcester Art Museum, the EcoTarium, Mass Audubon, Worcester Historical Museum, the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, the Museum of Russian Icons, the American Heritage Museum, Fitchburg Art Museum, Discovery Museum, The Trustees, Danforth Art Museum and Old Sturbridge Village. Definitions of "family" memberships vary between institutions.

A mural by Sharinna Travieso, who was one of awarded a Worcester Arts Council Grant in 2023.
A mural by Sharinna Travieso, who was one of awarded a Worcester Arts Council Grant in 2023.

You must be 18 or older and a resident of Worcester to be eligible to win. One winner will be drawn at random from all eligible entries at the Worcester Arts Council meeting Aug. 10. The winner will be notified by email by Aug. 18 and must respond by Aug. 25 to claim the prize that is not transferrable.

The online survey is open through Aug. 1 and can be completed at https://tinyurl.com/WAC2024. Responses to this brief survey will help determine WAC’s funding priorities for its 2024 grant cycle, which opens in September 2023.

The Worcester Arts Council awarded 66 grants and fellowships totaling a record $277,773 for arts and cultural programs in 2023. The awards were announced in February. According to information published in the Telegram & Gazette, "The grant winners reflect a wide range of Worcester-based programs and organizations including the Worcester Caribbean American Carnival from the Worcester Caribbean American Carnival Association ($5,000), Catch Basin Mural Project from Sharinna S. Travieso ($5,000), Organ Concert Series at First Unitarian Worcester ($3,500), and 'Mr. Twister,' an interactive opera performance and puppetry workshop from Latasha Hughes ($5,000)."Other awardees included $5,000 fellowships to musician Giuliano D’Orazio, visual artist William L. Thompson, musician and producer Eric L’Esperance, and visual artist Laura Marotta. An additional four $3,000 fellowships were awarded to fashion designer Ernie Jubin, dancer/choreographer John A. Semidei, visual artist John Vo and journalist William Shaner.

Giuliano D’Orazio received a Worcester Arts Council grant in 2023.
Giuliano D’Orazio received a Worcester Arts Council grant in 2023.

“It’s very important that these survey responses represent a wide variety of perspectives, lived experiences and voices from across Worcester,” said Riley.

The Worcester Arts Council typically receives more grant requests than can be funded. Therefore, it is essential for community input to guide its grant-making decisions.

“We remain committed to advocating for funds and being transparent and inclusive in providing equitable access to diverse artists and initiatives with a particular interest in underrepresented populations,” city of Worcester Cultural Development Officer Fabian Barracks said. “Through the support for the arts we are advancing the City’s Cultural Plan to catalyze our creative resources and transform Worcester to being the cultural destination of choice.”

The Worcester Arts Council will publish a report with the survey results again this year and share the report with other local arts and cultural organizations.

The Worcester Arts Council is part of a statewide network of 329 local cultural councils supported through the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The Local Cultural Council Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, humanities and sciences. The program assists the Worcester community in the development of local projects and adds to the cultural vitality of the city.

Chaired by Riley, current Worcester Arts Council members include Brandon Lewis (vice chair), Sean Brennan (secretary), Christopher Rich (treasurer), David Filar, Avae Thomas Quartey, Kristen Livoti, Shantelle Campbell and Amy Sciannameo.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester Arts Council seeks feedback for funding priorities