The Chicopee Cultural Council (CCC) awarded grants to 50 cultural projects taking place in the city during 2018. This was made possible by the Massachusetts Legislature which provides an annual appropriation to the Mass Cultural Council (MCC), and in turn allocates funds to a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils (LCCs) serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth.

The grants, totaling $32,558 will fund a wide range of community based activities including concerts, field trips, after school programs, writing and art workshops, and artist residence programs.

This year some new and exciting cultural programs are receiving grant money. For the first time, the CCC is undertaking a locally initiated project. This six episode video production airs later this year on the Chicopee public access station and explores the “Power of culture” in the community. Jacobson-Deragon adds that MUSICDance.edu will "bring their talented young performers to Chicopee as their New England 'From Jazz to Hip-hop tour' makes an appearance at the Downtown Get Down on August 28". Another premier program is El Puerto Rico: The Rich Port. This 2 week residency of seven musicians from the Victory Theatre Arts Academy will present in-school workshops for band and choral students at CCHS during the months of May and June.  Additionally,  Sara E. Campbell’s talk, "A Polish Odyssey", follows one immigrant family affected by WWI. The event will be offered at the library in June.

Schools throughout Chicopee will benefit from funding for field trips.  Fourth graders from six schools will attend an educational concert presented the Springfield Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Hall. Chicopee Academy students will explore the Ecotarium and Belcher School first graders will visit the Springfield Museums. Furthermore, six schools will receive funding for in-school programs such as the Boston Science  Museum's  traveling inflatable planetarium program (Fairview Elementary School), and the Bamidele Dancers and Drummers program at St. Stanislaus School. Four after-school  programs were awarded grants including the Marble Collection for Chicopee Comprehensive High School and Hampden Charter schools, and the Art Club at the Boys and Girls Club.

Additionally,  several popular programs will be funded. The 14th Annual Art Exhibit, sponsored by the Friends of the Chicopee Public Library is slated to run March 6th through March 15th in the library's Community Room. The 4th of July Concert Celebration received funding.   Musical performances will be offered during the summer by the Parks and Recreation Department at the Aldenville Commons, The Pioneer Valley Concert Band at Szot Park, and at the Library Summer Concert series. Also, summer programs for youth of various age groups received grants. Adults who in the past have filled the pastel workshops of award winning artist Gregory Maichack will want to check out his July 10th workshop entitled "Monet's Magic: Pastel Paint Monet's Wondrous Water Lilies". 

A full listing of  FY2018 Funding can be found at www.mass-culture.org/Chicopee

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