BOSTON — State Sen. Adam Gomez joined the Massachusetts Cultural Council in announcing two new grants awards coming to the Hampden district as part of the organization’s Local Cultural Council (LCC) program. In the first round of funding, the Springfield Cultural Council and Chicopee Cultural Council are set to receive $258,500 and $71,600, respectively, to support a broad range of local projects and programming.

“I am proud to see this funding come to an area that is rich in cultural wealth and looks to make even more improvements in the coming years,” Gomez said. “Our local cultural councils do a great job in representing the community and reflecting the values they hold in a beautiful way, and I am glad to support these organizations and their funding goals annually to ensure that they may continue to enrich our lives in turn.”

As the Commonwealth’s independent state arts agency, the Massachusetts Cultural Council is charged with bolstering the creative and cultural sector, thereby advancing economic vitality, supporting transformational change, and celebrating, preserving, and inspiring creativity across all Massachusetts communities. The agency pursues this mission through a wide range of grants, initiatives, and advocacy for artists, communities, organizations, and schools.

In FY 2025, the agency will invest $5.7 million into the LCC program, the nation’s largest volunteer-based, grassroots arts and cultural public funding network. In total, 329 local and regional cultural councils award annual grants, ensuring public investment in, and access to, arts and culture in every Massachusetts community. LCC grant awards, typically between $500 and $750, support a broad range of projects and programs, such as operating support, ticket subsidies, field trips, artist residencies, public art, fellowships, community events and programs, site-specific projects, and other activities, based on local priorities. Both individuals and organizations are eligible for funding.