MIDDLEBOROUGH – The Office of Economic and Community Development (OECD) is pleased to announce that it’s working to boost the economic vitality of historic downtown Middleborough through cultural grants and collaboration.
To support Middleborough’s creative economy, the OECD has hosted a grant workshop, engaged with individuals and community organizations and raised awareness of available financial support.
As a result of their work, the OECD is pleased to announce that the Town of Middleborough has received several grants over the last six months totaling $38,000 for its tourism and cultural sectors.
“Middleborough is poised to bring economic vitality to its downtown. The creative economy is getting a boost through grants, grit and great community organizing,” Town Manager James McGrail said.
Middleborough was one of 11 communities to receive the Making it Public grant from the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) which provides training and $15,000 to administer a call for temporary public art in each chosen town. This five-week training will equip administrators to support, promote and maintain a piece of public art in their communities. At the end of the training, the $15,000 will fund artists selected through a call for art in late 2023-2024.
In addition to the Making It Public grant, Middleborough has also received several grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC). Middleborough’s grant recipients include EM Letterpress, a vanity press and bookmaking operator; Soule Homestead for an elementary school workshop with Middleborough High School’s Innovation Lab; the spring 2023 Herring Run Festival; the town’s Tourism Committee; and Jay Mankita’s Artful Mechanisms workshop for kids.
The town’s Cultural Council also voted to implement the formation of a Cultural District. This designation will bring new funding and organizational support for cultural assets in downtown Middleborough.
How to get involved:
Subscribe to the OECD monthly newsletter to be informed of Middleborough’s Economic and Community news. Email: ECD@middleboroughma.gov with Subscribe in the subject line.
Join the OECD to hear about best practices for cultural districts from Athena Pandolf, the Executive Director of Natick Center Cultural District — meeting at Town Hall Select Board Chambers on March 28, from 5:30 – 7 PM. The presentation is to the public and will be recorded by MCCAM.
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