PEABODY — The Peabody Cultural Council has awarded 26 applicants with funds from its 2023 grant program. The council had $31,000 from the state to give out, which is the most it’s ever received, said Clerk to the Council Lisa Greene.
To be considered for the allocation of the funds, interested groups had to submit an application. From the North Shore Children’s Museum to the Peabody Historical Society to schools asking for funds for field trips, the council received a wide range of applicants.
“North Shore Children’s Museum, our new museum in downtown Peabody — we were so excited to get an application from them. We funded them to provide some free Peabody family days,” Greene said.
The museum has already done one free family day and is looking forward to hosting another one with the grant, said Ali Haydock, executive director of the museum
“Access is a huge part of our mission. We want to be sure to provide opportunities for folks from all different economic backgrounds to come to the museum and benefit from it,” Haydock said.
West Memorial School will be receiving funds to take students on a field trip to the North Shore Music Theater.
“I love seeing that the kids are getting to go on some field trips because the city decided to put in a little bit of funds towards it,” Greene said. “And because a great teacher put in an application, of course. That’s a lot of work.”
The Peabody Historical Society and Museum applied for a grant to put on a presentation about Jordan Marsh.
“We will be using it to partially fund our March program, Anthony M. Sammarco presents ‘Jordan Marsh: New England’s Largest Store.’ At this presentation, Sammarco will be tracing the store’s history from 1851,” said Nora Bigelow, the museum’s curator. “We’re grateful to get the funding for this program so we can delve more deeply into Peabody’s more recent past.”
The Peabody Institute Library Association will be using their grant for mental health and wellness programs.
“They’re going to be doing different kinds of programs to help families,” Greene said. “They want to … make sure that they’re offering programs to check in on families and allow them to access some resources.”
Funds were also allocated to put on the International Festival and Summer Concerts on the Common.
“I am always excited about the International Festival because I oversee the Arts Galleria,” Greene said. “So excited to see the Peabody Arts Association display their work at the Galleria, at the International Festival … I love the summer concerts. I love bringing the kids there, they get out there, dance, blow bubbles, run around, be crazy outdoors.”
Other grant recipients include the New England Chamber Players, Higgins Middle School, and Salem Arts Association, among others. An official grant list will be published on Jan. 17 on the Peabody Cultural Council website.
