LEOMINSTER — Dozens of entities, individuals, and organizations have been awarded 2025 Leominster Cultural Council (LCC) grants, vital funding that helps keep a plethora of arts and culture programs and events alive and well in the city community.
LCC Secretary LuAnn Longenecker reported that they had 56 applications submitted this time around, 13 of which did not meet the requirements. The council had $41,694 available for granting and by using a scoring rubric, they were able to award an average of 53% of the amount requested from the $79,333 total.
“Grant applicants with higher scores received a slightly higher percentage, while those scoring lower received proportionately,” Longenecker said.
New grantees this year include two theater productions by City on a Hill Arts, who moved their site to Leominster, Ascenzio Valeri for the Frankie Fortuna Skate Competition, and local artist Jill M. Strait for a proposed ground mural celebrating Leominster at the park on Mechanic Street.
In addition, a flag wood burning workshop for veterans run through Clear Path for Veterans New England out of Devens is once again funded along with an upcoming seahorse art workshop by artist Gregory Maichack at the Leominster Public Library, to name but a few of the many grant recipients.
As one of 329 local and regional cultural councils serving all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns, LCC annually evaluates and awards grants that support the arts, sciences, and humanities to improve and contribute to the diversity of the community. The grants are funded by the policies and guidelines set by the Massachusetts Cultural Council with the annual amount subject to legislative appropriations.
“We continue to support local festivals, artists, and concert series,” Longenecker said.
Longtime Leominster resident and author Joseph Bolton received a second grant from the LCC for volume three of his “Old Grandmother’s Tree” book series. The books are for sale at many spots in the region and New England and beyond such as the Little Bee Bookshop in Ayer and the American French Genealogical Society in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, and are in circulation at public libraries in Leominster, Pepperell, Attleboro, and North Attleboro among others.
Johnny Appleseed Arts and Cultural Festival organizer Rick Marchand shared that over the years, the LCC has supported dozens of performing artists at the popular festival that takes place in his hometown of Leominster every September — including The Johnny Appleseed Big Band, which has performed on the festival main stage for 27 years.
“Our community is grateful to the Commonwealth and our local cultural council for their efforts to inject funding support to help make our initiatives,” Marchand said. “Being able to assist our youth groups to the professional performers, the LCC has been the strength of the festival venues [and] has been fantastic to work with.”
Longenecker said the LCC is “extremely grateful” that the state prioritizes and supports so many programs related to the arts, sciences, and humanities.
“Each year has shown a slight increase in funding, which is wonderful,” she said. “At a time when families have decreasing disposable income, it is important and affirming to be able to offer free festivals, concerts, and programs to Leominster and area residents that are cultural, fun, and build community spirit.”