Cultural Council Grant Information

Like all 329 Local Cultural Councils under the umbrella of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Wellesley Cultural Council exists to enrich the artistic and cultural life of all those who make Wellesley their home, leading residents to feel a deeper and richer sense of community. Council members hope to attract and help fund the most high-quality arts and education programs of interest and benefit to as many segments of our community as possible.

Congratulations to all grant recipients. Click on the link below to learn about the arts and culture programming this year!

Explore the FY26 Cultural Council Grants

Grant Application Tips

The six-week application period for WCC grants opens in early fall.  The deadline to submit grant applications is generally mid-October. To ensure the highest chance of success, applicants are encouraged to follow the below tips. 

  • Set a date and secure space for your program: The Cultural Council wants to ensure that the programs that receive grants actually happen. That means applicants who have chosen a date for their program and secured a venue are much more likely to get funding. Ask the coordinator at your venue to write a letter of support for your event that you can include in your application.
  • Serve Wellesley residents: Some applicants propose programs that may serve the population of multiple towns or that will take place in other towns or in Boston. That’s fine, but make sure there is a strong case for the Wellesley Cultural Council, in particular, to fund your program.
  • Create something different: Many of the applications the Cultural Council receives are from groups and programs that have been taking place in Wellesley for years. While these are important, the Cultural Council is especially excited to consider new ideas, including programs that serve different segments of our town’s population.

Steps to Apply for a Grant

  1. Read about the LCC Program application process.
  2. Download the LCC Program Guidelines.
  3. Check out the Council Profiles to learn about local priorities before you apply.
  4. Register for an information session.
  5. Set up a user account and profile in the Agency's grants management system.

Be mindful of deadlines - don't wait until the last minute to apply.