DALTON, Mass. — The Cultural Council tentatively approved partially funding various grant applications for local events and initiatives during its meeting on Monday. 

 

The council's priorities are to improve the quality of life for residents by promoting access, education, and diversity in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences. 

 

Following a call for application in October, the organization received applications from 39 organizations and residents requesting funding for local events and initiatives amounting to $41,977. fourteen applications were tentatively approved. 

 

The council was awarded $7,800 from the Massachusetts Cultural Council to distribute to groups or individuals to fund qualified projects.

 

This year, the council received an abundance of applications from Dalton organization and residents, council members said. 

 

"We have so many applications and not enough money to support everybody," Kelley Harris-Porter said.

 

Of the applicants that were denied, the council cited reasons including the amounts being too large, requests for full funding or the event not being local. 

 

The committee had to prioritize its $7,800 budget for Dalton events totaling $11,477, and only considered applicants from Dalton.

 

Council member Sarah Perenick initially recommended that they split the funding evenly across all the local application requests. 

 

This recommendation was shot down after it was pointed out that this would not be fair for events and initiatives not requesting as much funding.

 

Council member Mary Ferrell said  they have had people in the past say that if the whole amount can’t be approved, they are not interested in the funding the council is able to offer. The council can transfer any funding that is not accepted by an applicant to next year's amount. 

 

Another council member noted that these requests are often made when the application is submitted so it is unlikely they will run into much of that. 

 

The council reviewed each of the remaining events or initiatives to determine how much money is reasonable for the event or initiative based on community interest, impact, and approximate cost. 

 

It also voted to reduce funding for events it has previously supported or deny requests altogether to provide opportunities for other organizations. Although the council approved these grant applications, the decisions are not final for two weeks as applicants have a chance to appeal. 

 

The council tentatively approved partially funded grant requests for events at the Dalton Senior Center, the Dalton Library, Sugar Hill, the Community Recreation Association, and Dalton schools. 

 

It also partially approved funding requests for initiatives like a feelings toolbox, "rent a hiking bag" for the Pines, and painting of a traffic control box by an artist. 

 

Last year the council helped fund 17 projects including the Community Recreation Association's  summer concert series, Tamarack Hollow Nature and Cultural Center's Falls Housatonic Heritage Hike and the Eagles Band annual concert, among others. Full list here.