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Cultural Council

The Nahant Cultural Council (NCC) promotes excellence, education, diversity, and inclusion in the arts, humanities and science by awarding grants funded annually by the Mass Cultural Council. Over the past few years, this funding has supported a variety of programs in Nahant, such as:

  • Art, Nature, Nahant: Celebrations of arts and crafts, music, poetry and dance
  • Concert Series
  • Celebrate Nahant: Community Photography Exhibit
  • Nahant Music Festivals
  • Forty Steps Dance events
  • Bridging the Divide – Respectful Conversations, an initiative of the Nahant Village Church
  • Programs in collaboration with the Nahant Council on Aging, the Johnson School, the Nahant Historical Society, and the Nahant Library

GUIDELINES

The NCC will consider funding programs developed by Nahant residents, or by non-residents sponsored by a Nahant organization, such as the Nahant Council on Aging, the Johnson School, the Nahant Historical Society, the Nahant Library, and the Nahant Cultural Council itself. Applications should include a letter of support from the sponsoring organization.

All funded projects must take place in Nahant, benefit Nahant residents, and be accessible to the general public. Please refer to Mass Cultural Council Guidelines at

https://massculturalcouncil.org/documents/lccguidelines.pdf

First-time applicants will receive higher priority for funding.

Applicants are always encouraged to blend additional funding for their projects.

Applications must include financial details and detailed planning for their project, including strategies for publicity.

Applicants must provide references, reviews, demonstrations, online presence or related promotional materials to when submitting their projects for consideration.

Grant recipients are responsible for promotion of their event along with the collaboration of the venue or organization.

Funded programs must credit the NCC and the MCC on all advertising and promotional materials in print or on social media, as well as in person on the day of the event.

The NCC will not accept applications for grant funding where an NCC member is the principal applicant or has a financial interest in the proposed project. The NCC welcomes the contributions of its members to support a proposed project on a volunteer basis and be named in an application as such. In accordance with the Mass Cultural Council, all NCC members will abide by Massachusetts Conflict of Interest policies.

The NCC approves grants based on review criteria. Applications open in early September, close in mid-October, and are announced by the NCC in mid-January. More information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61593299976259

FUNDING PRIORITIES

Programs that focus on humanities, local art and artists, music and musicians, culture, science, history, nature, and the environment.

Community wide events, including festivals, concerts, plays, performances, exhibits, lectures, fairs, etc.

Opportunities for local residents, children, youth and seniors to participate.

Programs to expand local support and understanding of diverse or underserved populations.

Programs that demonstrate artistic or creative merit, good design, documented qualifications, accessibility, and community benefit/involvement.

RECENT NAHANT CULTURAL COUNCIL ACTIVITIES

FY2026 Grant Awards:

Katharina Radlberger, Tales of Spring – Love Stories and New Beginnings, a violin and piano concert, Spring 2026

Joy Powers, To the Moon and Back, a circus show for all ages, Spring, 2026

Nahant Public Library, Winter Music Series, three concerts featuring jazz, classical guitar and Latin songs, February – April 2026

Ute Gfrerer, Sing Together, a community-focused music opportunity for people of all ages to experience the joy of singing together, summer 2026

Johnson Elementary School, Cultural Art Trip Club, an afterschool program for students to visit museums, galleries and artist studios across MA, 2025-2026

Delvena Theater Company, Inc. A Christmas Carol, a dramatic reading, date TBD

The Nahant Cultural Council meets regularly at the Town Hall. These meetings are posted on the town website and are open to the public. We warmly encourage you to share your ideas and suggestions for cultural programs here in Nahant. Contact us at culturalcouncil@nahant.org