On September 28, members of the Newton Cultural Council (NCC) gathered in the War Memorial Auditorium at City Hall with members of the public and City officials — including Mayor Ruthanne Fuller; Parks, Recreation and Culture Commissioner Nicole Banks; and Director of Cultural Development Paula Gannon — to celebrate and honor the 53 individuals and organizations receiving NCC grants in 2023. According to NCC co-chair Chris Pitts, NCC reviewed over 80 arts proposals and awarded a total of $50,000 this year in areas of “music, dance, and perennial city-wide celebrations.”
NCC co-chair Emily O’Neill thanked Mayor Fuller for her support of a vibrant arts community in Newton. She also introduced a six-minute video created by Chris Pitts highlighting the results of the 2023 grants. Mayor Fuller spoke about how the arts helps members of the Newton community “lift each other up, particularly in the wake of the pandemic, …knitting the community back together, painting by painting, dance by dance, concert by concert.” She remarked upon “the wide variety of disciplines, and vocations, and ethnicities, and ages” represented in the video.
A recipient of two grants this year, Jamaal Eversley spoke about the two art exhibits he curated this year and how building culture bridges gaps.
The Massachusetts Cultural Council provides $25,000 to Newton each year for these grants, and at the Mayor’s initiative, the City provides an additional $25,000.
Applications for grants in 2024 are due by October 17. See the FAQs about how to apply. Decisions will be made in early January.
