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Innovative Programs Funded by Local
Cultural Councils
The MCC's Gold Star Awards, established in 2001, recognize exemplary
cultural programs funded by local cultural councils (LCCs) throughout
the state. These projects celebrate diversity, foster collaboration,
showcase artistic excellence, and provide learning experiences for
people of all ages and backgrounds.
Gold Star awards are nominated by Local Cultural Councils and are
evaluated by the Massachusetts Cultural Council based on a variety
of criteria including: artistic quality, success in reaching out
to underserved constituents, extent to which the project highlights
a unique quality of the community, and ability to engage with the
community. Collectively, Gold Star Projects demonstrate the ways
that culture contributes to the quality of life in cities and towns
across the Commonwealth.
For the first time, this year the MCC will host a series of local
award ceremonies to honor the award winning projects and nominating
LCCs. The celebrations, which help to underscore the dedication
of the local cultural councils and the impact that the Gold Star
award winning projects have had on their communities, will be held
across the Commonwealth with local cultural councils, community
members, municipal officials and state legislators.
2009 Gold Star Projects
Arlington Cultural Council
Arlington Heights Bus Depot Community Mural Project
Artist Tova Speter worked with a group of students from Dearborn
Academy, a school for at-risk students, to design and create Arlington's
first public mural. The mural depicts images from the history of
Arlington and was painted by the Dearborn students as well as members
of the larger community. This project was a unique collaboration
between artists, students, local businesses, town officials and
the MBTA.
Bedford Cultural Council
Three Apples Storytelling Festival and Library Preview
The Three Apples Storytelling Festival is one of New England's largest
storytelling events, featuring some of the best storytellers in
the nation. The festival highlighted five Bedford resident storytellers,
some of whom told stories based on the history of the town. Prior
to and after the festival, storytellers visited local elementary
schools and performed for students.
Haverhill Cultural Council
Inca Son Residency in the Haverhill Public Schools
Inca Son, an internationally acclaimed Peruvian music and dance
ensemble, conducted workshops for all 5th grade students in the
Haverhill school district. As part of the residency, students completed
projects related to pre-Columbian civilizations in their social
studies, visual arts, dance and music classes, and Inca Son offered
a professional development workshop for teachers. The event culminated
in concerts, which were open to the public, at all four schools.
Lincoln Cultural Council
Buccaneers of Buzz - Celebrating the Honeybee
Buccaneers of Buzz is an original multimedia event combining video
footage, voice, music and dance designed to educate audiences about
the crucial role the honeybee plays in the production of our food.
Beekeepers from Lexington and Pembroke gave a pre-show talk and
live hive demonstration. Local beekeepers were also able to connect
with the broader community, which was largely unaware of their presence
and of the impact local beekeepers have on bee populations.
Cultural Council of Northern Berkshires
North Adams Open Studios
The North Adams Open Studios showcased more than 80 artists working
in North Adams and the Northern Berkshires. This is a free citywide
event with many partners in the community, including the Mayor’s
Office for Culture and Tourism, Mass MoCA, Northern Berkshire Creative
Arts, the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, local artists,
business owners and students.
Pittsfield Cultural Council
Focus is Our Children
A free, high-quality dance program for underserved girls ages 5-17,
Focus is Our Children is taught by a dancer trained in psychology
and community development. The program focuses on all aspects of
students' well-being, including self esteem, nutrition, exercise
and academic performance. Over the years, the students have performed,
free of charge, at a mall, local parades and celebrations, and senior
centers. The program culminates in a public recital at the end of
the year.
Waltham Cultural Council
GWARC Arts Enrichment Program
An art program for adults with developmental disabilities, GWARC
was taught by a member of the Waltham Mills Artists Association,
and culminated in a public exhibition. Participants produced a calendar
of their artwork, which allowed them to acknowledge their sponsors,
and also offered a new opportunity to fundraise and prolong the
work of the exhibition long after the displays had been taken down.
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© Massachusetts Cultural Council 2009
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