Concord Players actress Katie Speed dramatically falls on the Concord Free Public Library grass while acting out a scene from William Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Sunday June 25, 2023. Ken McGagh for The Concord Bridge

Concord Cultural Council awards annual arts grants 

January 19, 2024

The Concord Local Cultural Council had a busy year as the arts community emerged from the COVID pandemic. 

The council received 47 applications for grants, up significantly from previous years. 

The Massachusetts Cultural Council awarded Concord $7,000, the same as in previous years, and the Town of Concord, through the town manager’s office, added $2,000.  

The 47 grant applications sought $29,705 in funds. Concord applicants, who have preference, requested $16,605.  

This year, because of the pandemic, some organizations were not able to present their programs and so did not apply for reimbursement, so the seven-member Council gave out $14,329, including funds to sponsor the LCC’s second annual reception for grant recipients. 

Here are the organizations to which the Council awarded funding and the groups’ performance dates where the date is finalized For more details, visit each organization’s website. Groups with no dates listed have already presented their program or have yet to schedule it. Check websites for updates. 

Acton Community Chorus  

Sing Out: June 1 

Art for All, Inc.  

Arts and Crafts Club: ongoing, weekly 

Be Well Be Here, Inc.  

Young Writers Project: seasonal throughout the year 

Carlisle Chamber Orchestra 

Clear Path for Veterans NE, Inc.  

Woodworking Art Therapy: ongoing. 

Concord Art Association 

Annual CCHS Art Exhibition: May 16-June 2 

Contemporary Arts International, Inc. 

Stone Carving Symposium: August 4-25 

Discovery Museum, Inc.  

Open Door Connections: ongoing. 

Fitchburg Art Museum, Inc.  

Regional Arts and Crafts Exhibition: June 21-September 8. 

Nicole Galland  

March: A Play  

December 

Groton Hill Music, Inc. 

Bach’s Lunch Series, Spring 

Francis Hart, Cultural Review of 1970s music. 

Kaye Kelly  

Positive Change: April 24 

Margot Kimball 

Public Art Making: February-April 

Minute Man Arc 

Arc in the Park, May-October. 

Minute Man National Park Association, Inc.,  

Winter Lecture Series: February 25, March 24 

Minuteman Regional High School 

Robotics: April 

Music Dance.edu, Hip Hop Dance for Seniors. 

Music Dance.edu 

Autistic and Fantastic 

April 

Nashoba Valley Chorale. 

New England Brass Band. 

Open Door Theatre of Acton  

Wizard of Oz: March 15-24 

Senior Smilez, Inc. 

Theater at Concord Park. 

Kelly Shepherd, Harmony Across Generations. 

Michael Sprague, Signs of Wellbeing 

Spring 

The Concord Chorus, Inc. 

Bach, Beethoven, Brahms: May 11-12 

The Concord Conservatory of Music 

April 

The Concord Orchestra 

The Concord Women’s Chorus, Inc. 

The Robbins House, Inc. Journey Through Civil Rights Movement. 

The Rotary Club of Concord 

Music Fest: May 25 

Town of Acton  

Untold Stories of Region: Spring/Summer 

Virginia Thurston, Healing Garden Movement to Heal. 

West Concord Junction Cultural District 

Welcome Spring with Trees: May 24. 

Westford Chamber Players, Inc., 

Mother’s Day Diversity Concert: May 12, 19 and 26. 

Sarah Whitney, Beyond the Notes. 

Yorick Ensemble 

Trail to Oregon: January 20. 

Nick Zaino, 100 Years of Boston Comedy. 

Members of the LCC are Betsy Levinson, chair; Anita Tekle, treasurer; Arthur Rogers, clerk; Ha Richmond; Amy Beamer, Robert Gross and Hilary Taylor.