Frequently Asked Questions

The DCC annually awards grants that bring cultural enrichment to Dover residents through performances, exhibits, education programs, and demonstrations. These grants are intended to enhance the quality of life and contribute to the cultural vitality of Dover.

All Dover Cultural Council (DCC) funds originate from legislatively appropriated state funds that are allocated by the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) to Local Cultural Councils (LCC). Grant funds are reimbursed to award recipients after the successful completion of their program.

Any individual or non-profit organization is eligible to apply directly to the Dover Cultural Council (DCC) for a Local Cultural Councils (LCC) grant, or to the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) for any of the state agency’s numerous other cultural grant programs.

The size of grant awards depends on the annual funding allocation that the Dover Cultural Council has received from the state Massachusetts Cultural Councils, as well as, the number and quality of LCC applications received during a given year . Grants awarded in recent years have ranged from $350 to $2,000, with the average being around $1,000.

Applications for Local Cultural Councils (LCC) grants are available from the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC)’s website. This website also provides LCC grant guidelines, the ability to prepare an LCC application online, as well as information about all of the other grant programs offered by the MCC.

Depending on the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) determined application schedule, award notification and denial letters are sent two to three months following the deadline, as determined by the MCC. In recent years, the application deadline was mid-October, and notification letters were sent out in December and January.

Anyone who is interested in working with the DCC or becoming a member, should contact any of the current DCC members, or a member of the Dover Board of Selectmen.