The Massachusetts Cultural Council (M.C.C) is a state agency that receives an annual appropriation from the state legislature. It then makes grants available to cultural organizations, schools, communities and individual artists funding programs that use arts, science and the humanities to build strong diverse communities.

The M.C.C. oversees a network of 335 local cultural centers across the state. The local council awards money based upon community cultural needs which are assessed and set by council members in response to applications received each year. The local council members are volunteers appointed by the mayor.

The Gloucester Cultural Council (G.C.C.) first grant money was 1500 dollars in 1983, since then they have awarded over half a million dollars to artists, schools and organizations on Cape Ann.

The Gloucester Cultural Council (G.C.C.) was organized in 1981. The records submitted to the Cape Ann Museum primarily cover the period 1994- 2002. They consist of bulletins from and correspondence with the Massachusetts Cultural Council (M.C.C.) as well as bulletins and minutes generated at the local level. The greater part of the content consists of grant applications and approval awards.

Series I: Bulletins, Minutes, Correspondence

Series II: Grant Applications, approved or rejected

Box 1 

Series I

Folders

1. Misc. Publications, Booklet Strategic Plans 2000-2003, Applications for Awards

2. 2000 Grants workshop, evaluation forms, school workshop evaluations

3. Information regarding 2000 workshop, Booklet Program for local Cultural Councils

4. Publicity for Cultural Council grants 2002/3, Booklet: Community Development Plan for the City of Gloucester 2001

5. Community input meeting 2001, misc. information on holding meetings

6. Misc. Correspondence, thank you notes for awards, membership lists

7. G.C.C. minutes 2000, Older minutes 1989-97 

Box 2 

Series II

Folders

1. Fund raising workshop 2000, Treasurer report 2004, Grants 2000/02

2. Minutes 2002/04, Awards 2003

3. Evaluation Forms

4. Grant awards 2000/01

5. Grant rejections 2000/01

6. Grant applications 1999/2000

7. Grant awards 1999/2000

8. Grant rejections 1999/2000

9. Grant applications 2000

10. Grant applications 2000

Box 3

Series II

Folders

1. Brochure “Food Play”

2. Grant applications approved 1997/98

3. Grant rejections 1997/98

4. Grant rejections 1997/98

5. Grant applications approved 1996/97

6. Grant applications approved 1996/97

7. Grant applications approved 1996/97

Box 4

Series II

Folders

1. Grant rejections 1996/97

2. Grant rejections 1996/97

3. Grant applications approved 1995/96

4. Grant applications approved 1995/96

5. Grant rejections 1995/96

6. Grant rejections 1995/96

Box 5

Series II

Folders

1. Grant applications approved 1994/95

2. Grant applications approved 1994/95

3. Grant rejections 1994/95

4. Grant rejections 1994/95