Each year, the Lexington Council for the Arts awards grants to local cultural organizations, artists,
and performers in partnership with the Mass Cultural Council's Local Cultural Council Program
2027 Grant Cycle Dates & Details
Application Portal Opens: September 1, 2026
Application Deadline: October 15, 2026
Please note MCC does not accept late applications.
MCC Info Session: September 10, 2026
Register for this session to learn more about the LCC grant program
Grant award notifications are generally sent in mid-December and early January
LCA 2027 Grant Criteria & Guidelines
Who can apply?
Individuals, agencies, schools, nonprofits, and other organizations are eligible to apply for grants that enhance the cultural vitality of the Lexington community. All applicants must reside in or be located in Massachusetts.
What are the grant requirements?
1. Applicants must reside or be located in Massachusetts. The program must be related to the arts, humanities, or sciences in Massachusetts.
2. The grant must demonstrate a public benefit for the Lexington community.
3. The project may not discriminate based on age, ability, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nationality, geographic origin, or immigration, military, or socio-economic status.
Grant applications will be evaluated in terms of several review criteria:
In addition, LCA considers the following priorities when evaluating applications:
The LCA is part of a grassroots network of 329 local arts councils, administered by 2,400 municipally appointed volunteers, serving all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns. The Mass Cultural Council provides state funds to cities and towns to re-grant at the local level through their Local Cultural Council (LCC) program. This LCC program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, humanities, and sciences annually.
Individuals, agencies, schools, nonprofits, and other organizations are eligible to apply for grants that enhance the cultural vitality of the Lexington community. All applicants must reside in or be located in Massachusetts.
What are the grant requirements?
1. Applicants must reside or be located in Massachusetts. The program must be related to the arts, humanities, or sciences in Massachusetts.
2. The grant must demonstrate a public benefit for the Lexington community.
3. The project may not discriminate based on age, ability, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nationality, geographic origin, or immigration, military, or socio-economic status.
Grant applications will be evaluated in terms of several review criteria:
- Artistic or creative merit
- Benefit to the cultural life of Lexington
- Project design
- Qualifications, dedication, and accomplishments of the individuals and organizations involved
- Accessibility of the program and of the facilities being used
- Community involvement
- Financial need
In addition, LCA considers the following priorities when evaluating applications:
- Priority will be given to programs and projects that benefit the broadest possible range of Lexington residents.
- Priority will be given to applicants located in Lexington and/or to applicants whose grant project will take place in Lexington.
- The LCA greatly values and appreciates original and creative proposals when considering new project applications.
- The LCA is especially interested in first-time funding for programs by both emerging artists and organizations that have demonstrated artistic merit.
- Please note that securing a venue for proposed programs is the sole responsibility of the grant applicant. Applications with a confirmed location are preferred.
- The LCA prioritizes programs that are scheduled to take place in 2027, and is unlikely to fund programs that occur prior to 2027 grants being awarded
- The Lexington Council for the Arts strives to support numerous and diverse programs. Due to limited resources, our grants typically range from $250 to $1,000 per applicant/organization.
The LCA is part of a grassroots network of 329 local arts councils, administered by 2,400 municipally appointed volunteers, serving all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns. The Mass Cultural Council provides state funds to cities and towns to re-grant at the local level through their Local Cultural Council (LCC) program. This LCC program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, humanities, and sciences annually.