Representative Stephen Kulik Announces Cultural Facilities Grants for Arms Library Association & Double Edge Theatre Productions

The Arms Library Association will receive $266,000 and Double Edge Theatre Productions will receive $120,000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Michael Gallant                                                       Phone: 617.722.2380

Email: Michael.Gallant@mahouse.gov               

May 18, 2016

 

Representative Stephen Kulik Announces Cultural Facilities Grants for

Arms Library Association & Double Edge Theatre Productions

State Representative Stephen Kulik announced that the Massachusetts Cultural Council Board of Directors has approved two new grants for the Arms Library Association in Shelburne Falls and Double Edge Theatre Productions in Ashfield from the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund. The Arms Library Association is set to receive $266,000 to help restore the exterior of the Pratt Memorial Library Building and Double Edge Theatre Productions will receive $120,000 to enter its final phase of major renovations to transform several buildings on their 105-acre property.

“I want to thank both the Massachusetts Cultural Council as well as MassDevelopment for selecting the Arms Library Association and Double Edge Theatre Productions as recipients to receive these grant monies,” said Representative Stephen Kulik. “The Commonwealth is making great strides in supporting the creative economy, and this funding proves that we take investment in arts and cultural development seriously.”

The funding for the Arms Library Association will help secure the Pratt Library’s exterior, update the foundation and windows, help make the building more energy efficient, and restore historic murals. Additionally, the funds allocated for Double Edge Theatre Productions will help finalize the redesign and transformation of several unused buildings by transitioning them into workshops, design studios, storage and training rehearsal spaces.

The Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund, a state program that fosters the growth of the creative economy by supporting building projects in the nonprofit arts, humanities, and sciences. CFF grants have also helped restore many of our nation’s most treasured historical and cultural landmarks, while driving tourism, a key industry in Massachusetts. More than 18 million people visit these sites annually, nearly one third from out of state.

MassDevelopment and MCC jointly administer the CFF, and an Advisory Committee appointed by the Governor provides oversight to its operation. The grants are supported through $10 million from the state’s fiscal year 2016 capital plan, authorized by the state Legislature and allocated by the Governor.

CFF grants remain highly competitive: The Fund received 146 applications in this round seeking nearly $25 million for projects with total development costs of more than $200 million.

For more background on CFF and its impact, go here.

About the Massachusetts Cultural Council:

The Massachusetts Cultural Council is a state agency supporting the arts, humanities, and sciences to improve the quality of life in Massachusetts and its communities. The MCC pursues this mission through grants, services, and advocacy for nonprofit cultural organizations, schools, communities, and artists.

About MassDevelopment:

MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development agency, works with businesses, nonprofits, financial institutions, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2015, MassDevelopment financed or managed 294 projects generating investment of more than $2.5 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are projected to create about 6,100 jobs and build or rehabilitate about 2,000 residential units.