FITCHBURG — The Fitchburg Cultural Council wants to know what entertains and delights Fitchburg residents in the area of arts and culture.
They should also determine what Fitchburg residents would like to see more of in terms of educational, cultural and arts programming.
Everyone is invited to present their ideas in a fun and useful open forum at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 21 at the Fitchburg Museum of Art, Elm St. 185. The public contribution meeting will also provide an opportunity to meet many local artists and learn how to access state grant money for cultural programs in Fitchburg.
This year, the Fitchburg Cultural Council awarded more than $53,000 in grants to support 52 local arts and cultural projects, including public performances, public art installations and programs designed to improve the quality of life in North Central Massachusetts. Grants were made possible by the state through the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
The council and its colleagues across Massachusetts distribute more than $4 million in grants each year. The Fitchburg Council is made up of volunteers appointed by the mayor and charged with allocating state cultural funds after weighing contributions from the public.
Among the projects in Fitchburg that received funding for the 2022 calendar year were a partnership among local schools to educate students about the Abolitionist Movement; a summer concert series in Coggshall Park and Upper Commons; audio-visual upgrades for the broadcasting studio at Fitchburg High School; free performances at the Fitchburg Public Library and Fitchburg Senior Center; gallery exhibits at the Fitchburg Art Museum; music lessons for local students and more.
In addition, the Fitchburg Cultural Council is distributing a public input survey to Fitchburg residents. Physical copies can be picked up in the foyer of City Hall and returned to the red mailbox in front of City Hall, Main St. 718. The survey is also available online at https://tinyurl.com/PublicInputSurvey2022. Please submit your answers by Wednesday, August 10.
The Fitchburg Cultural Council meets on the third Tuesday of each month. For more information, including how to join the council, visit www.Mass-Culture.org/Fitchburg or www.FitchburgMA.gov/708/Cultural-Council, or follow the council on social media at https://www.facebook .com/ FitchburgCulturalCouncil, https://www.facebook.com/groups/fitchburgculturalcouncil or https://www.instagram.com/fitchburgculturalcouncil.
