MA Cultural Council Grants

Needham Council for Arts and Culture Seeks Community Input

The Needham Council for Arts and Culture wants the community’s feedback to help guide what types of arts and cultural activities they should fund in 2026. You’re invited to take their online survey which will take  about 5 minutes to complete. The survey will close on August 25, 2025.

Needham Council for Arts and Culture Awards Record Number of Grants to Support Local Projects

Council Awards 33 Grants and $25,495 in funding

NEEDHAM – March 19, 2025--The Needham Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) has awarded 33 grants totaling $25,495 in artistic and cultural programming that provide public benefit to Needham. This year saw an increase in both funding and applications ranging from theatre productions, musical performances, artist workshops, cultural events, public art, and even a new poet laureate for the Town of Needham. A complete list of recipients and some of the dates of their performances is below.

The NCAC received a significant increase in applications this year. Given the rising interest in arts and culture programming in the community, the Town of Needham generously increased its contribution by $10,000 giving us $18,300 which was added to the state allocation of the Mass Cultural Council.

“The Council is excited about the increased number of applicants we received this year,” said Joni Schockett, Co-Chair of the NCAC. “This is the third year we have received funding from the Town of Needham and their generous increase has allowed us to approve more grants at higher levels for local artists, performers and organizations. There will also be an addition of the Chapel Street mural which will be completed this spring. The NCAC is so happy to help make these creative ideas a reality and bring more arts to Needham.”

“Congratulations to all of this year’s grant recipients,” said Select Board Vice Chair Heidi Frail. "The arts and cultural programs in Needham, funded through the Needham Council for Arts and Culture, not only enrich our community, but they are also important economic drivers and provide opportunities for local artists and creators to thrive. The Select Board is pleased to continue supporting the NCAC’s efforts to bring more arts and cultural activities to Needham.”

Decisions about which activities to support are made by the members of the NCAC, a board of municipally appointed volunteers. Granting priorities included applications that address the needs of underserved or in-need groups and those who elevate the diverse voices and experiences of historically marginalized populations. For 2025, the NCAC has continued their commitment to focusing on community and civic engagement projects that connect Needham residents through community events, performances, celebrations, and public art projects.

The Needham Council for Arts and Culture is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The LCC Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting 7,500 community-based projects in the arts, sciences, and humanities every year. The state legislature provided $7 million in funds this year to the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, which then allocates various amounts to each community.

The Needham Council for Arts and Culture will seek applications again in the fall. For guidelines and complete information visit needhamma.gov/ncac or email needhamartsandculture@gmail.com

Stay up to date on grants and projects by following them on Facebook at Facebook.com/NeedhamCouncilforArtsandCulture.

2025 Grant Recipients

• Dancing Joy with Dance Caliente in Costume
• THE SOUND OF MUSIC in SONGS and STORIES
• Combating Hate and Prejudice
• Literary Magazine Support
• Rehearsal for Life's Freelance Players
• NHA Artist Workshop and Display Event Series
• AAPI Kid Craft Festival
• CFN Chinese New Year Celebration
• Jumpin' Juba Senior Concert
• Celebrating the Season: A Halloween Harvest
• History at Play
• Needham Art Outside
• Pathways to Music Open Mic
• Promoting Classic Music in Needham
• Finist the Bright Falcon
• Unity & Joy-Celebrating Community with Jewish Choral Music
• The Theft of Dignity: Needham, Free Public Presentation
• Dedham Choral Society 
• Move and Stop Time In Your Own Lifeline
• Open Door Connections
• Live Music Making History Live
• Stories from the Thursday News (title not final)
• "Let It Grow – Pollard Garden Art Poles"
• Hip Hop Chair Dance for Seniors!
• Liars and Believers Adaptive Theater Workshop
• The Highland Glee Club
• Needham Open Studios 2025
• Needham Multicultural Festival
• Rivers Symphony Orchestra Concert in Needham
• Needham Student Theater Summer 2025 Production
• "Cultural Diversity: Embrace & Celebrate Differences"
• Jack The Ripper
• Needham On the Edge of Revolution