A Peabody non-profit is doing its part to help an industry that has been especially hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Peabody Cultural Council (PCC) announced this week that it is accepting grant applications for the 2021 season.
Organizations, schools, and individuals who support cultural activities in the Peabody community are eligible to apply. The application deadline is Nov. 16.
The Council also announced good news for 2020 grant recipients, many of whom were unable to carry out programs because of the pandemic. The deadline to spend 2020 money has been extended through December, 2021.
“Normally, the funds have to be used by the end of the year or you lose them, but most of the people we fund had to cancel most, if not all, of their activities,” said PCC spokesperson and member Lisa Greene. “As long as they submit a written request to us by the end of the year, they have an extra year to spend the money.
“We are also excited about giving out new funds for 2021. We always welcome new projects and want everyone to know that our goal is to support anyone with any artistic ideas.”
Peabody Council on Aging Activity Director Judy Walker said the council received two grants last year for beginning art and woodcarving programs at the Senior Center.
“Our recipients of the 2020 grants are delighted that they were given an extension of up to a year, to spend their grant money,” she said. “With the state of the world as it is, we are all hopeful for our reopening and to get back into these classes in whatever capacity works.”
Last year, 21 recipients received grants ranging from $255 to $4,000. Projects included the Peabody Summer Concerts on the Commons; Peabody Essex Museum, Museum of Fine Arts and Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) school field trips; discounted theater tickets for seniors; the Annual Holiday Concert; the International Festival and International Festival Art Galleria; the Peabody Firefighters Museum Fallen Firefighters exhibit; the Peabody Institute Library Teen Makers program; Peabody Art Association artists’ workshops, and the Torigian Family YMCA Music Classes with Heider program.
Greene said the need for funding is more important than ever before.
“Most of the schools are scraping, especially the ones that don’t have an active PTO or PTA. We have kids who might never go to a play or concert but for this funding. For many years we’ve helped our fifth-graders go to the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Just to go into that building alone can be life-changing for kids who have never seen anything like it.
“There are so many great programs and we try to help all different aspects of our community. I’m just hoping there’s more out there we can dig up this year and hope we find ways to make an impact.”
Walker said that this year is “so much different than any other year.
“I am asking for a grant that would help us bring virtual entertainment, presentations and informational seminars to our home-bound seniors. We do believe that this may be the wave of our future, and we want to try to reach as many of our seniors as possible.”
Greene said that due to the pandemic, the state has not yet determined the exact amount of funds that will be available, but PCC grants have typically averaged between $17,000-$20,000 per year with anywhere between 20-30 applications received.
The funds are not limited to Peabody-based businesses or residents.
“As long as the city of Peabody derives a benefit of some sort, anyone is eligible to apply,” Greene said. “We often have applications from many organizations outside of Peabody.”
PCC is part of a network of the Local Cultural Councils (LCC), a 329-member organization serving 351 Massachusetts cities and towns. The state legislature provides an annual appropriation to the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, which allocates funds to communities.
Local guidelines, application forms, and more information about the LCC program are available online at www.mass-culture.org/Peabody. For any additional questions, or to request an extension, contact Lisa Greene at [email protected].
Anne Marie Tobin can be reached at [email protected].
