Mass Cultural Council announced $3,442,500 in Creative Experiences grants to support 738 festivals, residencies, performances, and other cultural activities across the Commonwealth. Thirty more grants were awarded this year over last! These one-year grants of $2,500 or $5,000 each fund accessible and engaging programs in the arts, humanities, and sciences.
These grants can support age- and dementia friendly community efforts that strengthen social connection, intergenerational activity, and healthy aging.
Creative Experiences is designed to bring cultural moments directly into communities and schools all year long. The awards support projects that elevate creative expression, spark public engagement, and enrich the cultural life of local neighborhoods.
This year’s program drew 1,730 applications from nonprofits, schools, for-profits, municipalities, community groups and creative businesses – a testament to the strong public desire to create vibrant cultural programming.
The following projects and grant recipients are age and dementia friendly examples that may be informative for other community partners looking towards future funding rounds:
Living Memories Art Experience – Ralph Froio Senior Center & Pittsfield Council on Aging ($5,000)
To provide engaging, person‑centered therapeutic activities to enhance the well‑being of low‑income older adults living with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other disabilities by within the Supportive Day Program and Memory Café.
Bernardston Senior Center ($2,500) for Bernardston Senior Center to provide a creative experience in the arts, humanities, and/or sciences through their program Bernardston Senior Center Mural CIRCA 2026.
Boston Review of Books Inc. ($5,000) to provide a creative experience in the arts, humanities, and/or sciences through their program Silk Road Arts Bringing Joy and Inspiration to Wayland Senior Communities.
Charlton Council on Aging ($2,500) to provide a creative experience in the arts, humanities, and/or sciences through their program Worcester Institute for Senior Education (WISE).
Chinese Family Network Inc (CFN) ($5,000) to provide a creative experience in the arts, humanities, and/or sciences through their program 2027 Lunar New Year Festival at the Worcester Senior Center.