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I. Local
Guidelines and Instructions
Program Purpose and Review Criteria
The purpose of the
Berlin Cultural Council is to provide and maintain the vitality of local
cultural resources and to insure these resources are shared within the
Berlin
community. The Council is committed to funding a diverse
cross-section of activities. We support a broad variety of art
forms, the ongoing work of individual artists, environmental education
projects, collaborative proposals that bring together artists and other
types of organizations, local cultural groups and projects that serve
specific populations – youth, elders, low-income, disabled.
Applications are
evaluated in terms of several review criteria: artistic or creative
merit; project design; qualifications, dedication and track record of
the individuals and organizations involved; physical accessibility of
any facilities being used; and community benefit/involvement.
Proposals from schools and libraries must not request support for
activities that should be or used to be part of the municipal budget
(i.e., teacher’s salaries, classroom supplies, school-sponsored clubs
and organizations, library books/videos, etc.). Enrichment
projects utilizing outside professionals are allowed. Berlin-based
applicants are given preference over those from out of town. The
Council will carefully scrutinize repeated requests; such proposals
should show other sources of support to show the project is not
dependent solely on council funding.
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Eligibility
Applicants can be:
a) arts, humanities or interpretive science organizations; b)
individuals including artists, science educators, historians or other
humanists, parents, community members, etc.; c) community organizations
including, but not limited to schools, social service organizations,
business and civic groups, neighborhood centers, youth, senior, and
family organizations, etc. Incorporated organizations must be
nonprofit; unincorporated associations must have a nonprofit purpose.
Individual applicants are required to be residents for at least one
year; organizations must be organized and operating in the state for at
least one year.
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Timeline
Completed
applications must be received or postmarked by
October 15, 2007.
Send application and support materials to the Berlin Cultural Council,
23 Linden Street, Berlin, MA 01503.
Other dates of
interest:
|
November 21,
2007 |
Notification of
disapproved applications |
|
January 5, 2007
(on or before) |
Notification of
approval (preliminary) |
|
April 10, 2007
(on or before) |
Final approval
(from state review) |
|
April 10, 2008
(one year from final approval) |
Final reports
and payment requests due |
The Berlin Cultural
Council reviews all applications and submits its funding recommendations
to the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Applicants should not
implement any project or publicize receipt of any award until official
state approval has been received since the Massachusetts Cultural
Council may overturn or amend local decisions.
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Application Process
All applications
must be typed or word processed. The application form can be
completed and printed out at
www.massculturalcouncil.org/applications/lccapp.html. The
library has access to the internet. When filling out the
application, use the space provided to answer questions. One
additional 8˝”x11” to complete questions is allowed. Include three
copies with the original and one set of supporting materials such as:
resume(s) of key personnel, organizational brochures, letters of
support/commitment, artist samples (video, slides, writings, portfolio,
etc.). Answer questions clearly, simply, and as completely as
space allows. Describe the project, any collaborators and address
the review criteria. The budget is divided into Project Expenses
and Revenue (income). These must be equal. You can include
in-kind donations, that is, services, materials, or facilities which are
provided at no cash cost to you. Include a self-addressed stamped
envelope id you want materials returned. Completed applications
must be received by hand at the Town Clerk’s Office by
October 15, 2007 or
be postmarked with that date.
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Funding
Payments are made on
a reimbursement basis only. Reimbursements generally take 8 to 10
weeks. Applicants are sent a reimbursement form to use for their
payment request. Projects and payment requests need to be
completed within a year of the final award notification. With
permission of the Berlin Cultural Council, progress or interim payments
may be requested for the portion of the project that has been carried
out. Final reimbursement will not be made until the project is
completed. Due to the limited funds available and the high demand
for support, the Berlin Cultural Council often awards smaller amounts
than requested and asks that applicant’s find matching funds or scale
back their projects. Awards typically range from $250 to $1,500.
A few larger awards are given from time to time. In cases where a
project is partially funded the Council may request an explanation of
how the project will be modified. Requests for extensions beyond
the grant period will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must be
submitted in writing no later than one year from the date of the
approval letter. The Council will review and vote on the request
and notify applicants in writing of its decision.
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Acknowledgements
In all published
materials and announcements regarding the activities supported by Berlin
Cultural Council funds, the sponsoring group or individual must
acknowledge this support with a written and/or verbal credit statement
or by using the Massachusetts Cultural Council logo. The credit
statement is “This program is supported in part by a grant from the
Berlin
Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts
Cultural Council, a state agency.”
The logo is available online at
www.massculturalcouncil.org/contracts/logos.html or from the
Massachusetts Cultural Council on a camera-ready slick sheet, or on
diskette (Mac or PC). This credit is required by the Massachusetts
Cultural Council and failure to comply may jeopardize future funding.
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For more
information
Two members of the
Berlin Cultural Council have volunteered to answer questions on
Wednesday evenings through October15, 2007.
·
Tom
Flaherty – (978) 838-0150
·
Lucy
Ayers – (978) 838-2790
Council members will
also be available in the Berlin Library on September 22, 2007 to answer
questions. |
