By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – If you are participating in a project that is intended to improve the quality of life in the community, or know of a family member, friend or business associate who is, there is financial assistance through the Marlborough Cultural Council, whose mission is to promote excellence, access, education and diversity in the arts, humanities and sciences.
J. David Elmore, chairman of the council, is inviting interested residents to apply for 2015 funding to help carry out these special programs for youths and adults.
“The Marlborough Cultural Council is a part of municipal government with members appointed by the mayor,” said Elmore, who has been with the group for the past two years. “I was asked to join the council by a fellow singer at Rivers Edge Chorale in Hudson. I decided to join because I believe in supporting the arts.”
All funding comes from the Massachusetts Cultural Council which meets in late October to allocate funds based on established guidelines to those groups that best serve the artistic, humanities and interpretative sciences of the community, according to Elmore. The state Cultural Council proclaims the arts, sciences and humanities have the power to build healthier, more livable, more vital communities.
A new member of the Marlborough group, Mary Scott, chair of the Marlborough Downtown Village Association, became acquainted with the state council when she worked cohesively with the Marlborough Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Olde Marlborough, Inc., to acquire the city's downtown area designation as a cultural district. The announcement was made in October 2012 and has helped the city, MEDC, and community organizations to enhance and expand arts and culture programs in the downtown district.
“As a member of the Marlborough Council I am getting a much better awareness and perspective of the variety of cultural opportunities available which provide more occasions for all to enjoy life,” Scott said.
Recipients of the 2014 grant allocation of $8,585 were: Assabet Valley Mastersingers, Chamber Music Metrowest, Francis J. Kane Elementary School (PTO), Friends of the Marlborough Public Library, Ghost Light Players of MetroWest, Hudson Area Arts Alliance, Marlborough High School Tri-Music Honor Society, Marlborough Historical Society, Northborough Area Community Chorus, Richer Elementary School (PTO), Symphony Pro Musica, The Mood Elevators, Tommy Rull and Together WE Can Family Network.
Anyone wishing to apply for a grant must submit an application by Wednesday, Oct. 1, to the Marlborough Cultural Council, 140 Main St., Marlborough. Applications are available at www.mass-culture.org. For further assistance or information regarding the process, contact Elmore at [email protected].
Other members of the Marlborough Cultural Council are Mark Bartlett, Sandra Pirie-St. Armour, Kim Beauchemin, Melissa Vera and Cheryl Gregg-Desautels, ex-officio advisor. ?Anyone wishing to become a member of the council may contact Scott at [email protected]m.