Grant Recipients

2026 LCC/MCC Grant Awards

The Carlisle Cultural Council is proud to announce that we have awarded a total of $9,000 in grants—funded by the Mass Cultural Council and local contributions—to support 21 events and programs in and around Carlisle.

Thanks to generous donations from our residents, we were able to fund more programs this year than ever before. These grants help local organizations bring music, art, history, and cultural experiences to our community.

For details on upcoming events, please visit the organizations’ websites and check the Carlisle Mosquito for updates.

MUSIC

  • Carlisle Community Chorus – Performances throughout the year. 
  • On April 9 – The Concord Women's Chorus presents “A Light Exists in Spring” in Concord. 
  • In December 2025 – Carlisle Chamber Orchestra performed their Holiday Concert. 
  • Visit the Carlisle Farmers Market from June through September for live music.
  • On August 4 enjoy the Outdoor Summer Evening Concert on the Library Lawn, organized by Council on Aging and Human Services, Gleason Public Library, and the Recreation Department.

STAGE

  • Savoyard Light Opera Company– November 2025 performances of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. 
  • Experience the Open Door Theater of Acton, – Honk! in March 2026 at RJ Grey Junior High School, Acton. This inclusive theater company brings accessible performances to the community. 
  • Carlisle Public School Drama Club – December 2025 student production showcasing local talent. 
  • Plimoth Patuxet Thanksgiving Play – First graders at Carlisle Public School experienced this historical reenactment in November 2025.

VISUAL ART

  • See the artistry and creativity of talents of our High School students are 56th Annual CCHS School Exhibition 2026 at the Concord Art Association. at In June and July 2026.
  • Join the Threads of Pride Quilt Collective
    Celebrate creativity and community by joining the Threads of Pride Quilt Collective, organized by the Carlisle Council on Aging & Human Services this March. Come together to craft a beautiful quilt that honors diversity and inclusion.  

FILM

  • New this year, Emerging Voices: An Evening of Short Film. Hosted by actress and Carlisle resident Liz Bishop on May 7 at Lincoln-Sudbury High School

DANCE

  • Celebrate community and tradition at the monthly Contra Dance events throughout the year. No experience needed—just bring your energy and enjoy live music and lively steps!

CHILDREN

  • Open Door Connections at the Discovery Museum in Acton
     This program helps families for whom the cost of admission is a barrier, ensuring everyone can enjoy the museum’s hands-on exhibits and learning experiences.
  • Music and Movement by the Rockabye Beats with Marcos Valles will be at at Gleason Public Library on February 18 with an engaging session of rhythm, movement

SCIENCE AND THE ENVIRONMENT 

The Carlisle Cultural Council is proud to support environmental initiatives that bring our community together.
 This spring, we’re helping fund two exciting events:

  • Spring on a Wing – A community celebration of sustainable gardening, featuring seed distribution. Hosted by the Carlisle Garden Club at Union Hall on March 28. 
  • Route to Sustainability Day – Organized by the Environmental Sustainability Committee on May 3, this event promotes practical steps toward a greener future.

CELEBRATING CULTURAL DIVERSITY

The Cultural Council continues to help make Carlisle an inclusive and welcoming community by supporting events that celebrate diversity and unity. Mark your calendars for these upcoming programs:

  • Pride Festival – June 5
     Join the Gleason Public Library and community partners for a vibrant celebration of Carlisle’s diverse community.
  • Race Amity Day Community Potluck – June 14
     Gather on the Carlisle Common for a beautiful day of friendship and unity. Enjoy live music, poetry, and delicious food as we come together as neighbors.
  • Community Diwali Celebration – November 2026
     Experience the joy and traditions of Diwali with food, music, and cultural activities.
  • Community Multicultural Fair – February 26
     Hosted by Carlisle Public School, this fair showcases the rich cultural heritage of our community.

WINTER 2025 GRANTS AWARDED

The Carlisle Cultural Council has awarded grants totaling $3,600 from Carlisle Cultural Council funds to support local organizations producing eight events and programs in Carlisle over the next several months. Be sure to check organizations’ websites and the Mosquito for more information.

HISTORY 

  • In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, the Carlisle Poppy Project and Carlisle author Nancy Shohet West are collaborating on an Anthology of Carlisle residents’ family histories of the war. The expected publication date is August, 2025.

VISUAL ARTS

  • “Beginner Alcohol Inks Class”, produced by the Council on Aging and Human Services, with local artist Liz Jegasothy. A beginner hands-on class for older adults and disabled adults. May 16, Clark Room, Carlisle Town Hall.
  • “Crafting Wee-Felted Mice” with Rachel Benson of The Fiber Web. In conjunction with the upcoming Art at the Gleason exhibit featuring the work of children’s illustrator Ilsa Plume and the Wee Forest Folk sculptures, created here in Carlisle. Ages 10 to adult. April 30, 2025, Hollis Room, Gleason Public Library

CHILDREN’S ART

  • “Creating Sea Turtle Mosaics” a Gleason Public Library Kid’s program with Crystal D’Abbraccio of Tiny Tile Mosaics. For children ages 6 and up. August 6, Hollis Room, Gleason Public Library.

MUSIC

  • Forest of Bliss, producers of house concerts in Carlisle, have teamed up with Clark Farm to host concerts in the herb garden at the farm on June 7 and September 13.

SCIENCE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

CELEBRATING CULTURAL DIVERSITY 

  • “Carlisle Race Amity Day Potluck Picnic” Sunday, June 8, 1-5 PM, Town Common and FRS. This annual community-focused event features music, poetry, games for children, education and information.

CARLISLE CULTURAL COUNCIL FY25 CULTURAL GRANTS 

We’ve awarded grants totaling $8,250 from Mass Cultural Council and Carlisle Cultural Council funds to support local organizations producing 20 events and programs in and around Carlisle. Be sure to check organizations’ websites and the Mosquito for more information.

MUSIC

  • The Carlisle Community Chorus will kick off 2025 with a free Community Concert on January 14 at Corey Auditorium, and will perform their annual Spring Concert on May 13.
  • On the weekend of March 29 and 30 the Concord Orchestra will perform American Heritage Concerts at 51 Walden, Concord.   
  • The Concord Women's Chorus will perform “Still Heard Round the World: A Celebration of Music Written by and for Women” at the Concord Trinity Episcopal Church on May 3.
  • The Carlisle Chamber Orchestra will be performing in celebration of their 10th Anniversary at the Carlisle Congregational Church on May 9. 
  • On June 18, Spalding Field will be transformed for an Outdoor Concert with The Party Band, organized by the Recreation Department, Council on Aging and Human Services, Gleason Public Library.
  • New this year, the Carlisle Farmers Market will feature local musicians performing at the market once a month from June through September.
  • The Outdoor Summer Evening Concert on the Library Lawn returns on August 5, featuring The Riverboat Stompers Jazz Band, organized by COAHS, Gleason Public Library, Recreation Department.

STAGE

  • On February 12, the Delvena Theatre Company will perform “Love Letters” after a Valentine’s Day lunch at St, Irene’s Church, organized by the COAHS. Registration required.
  • “The Prom School Edition” in March by the Open Door Theater of Acton, an inclusive theater company, at RJ Grey JHS, Acton. 
  • The Cultural Council provided a grant to the Savoyard Light Opera Company for their November 2024 performances of “Curtains, the Musical”. 

THE WRITTEN WORD

  • The Carlisle Poetry Festival and Poetry Contest returns this year on May 17, organized by the Friends of the Gleason Public Library
  • Once again, the Cultural Council will help bring you color issues of the Mosquito, through a grant to Carlisle Communications, Inc.             

HISTORY 

  • This year sees the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, and the Cultural Council provided the Carlisle 250 Committee, along with the Celebrations Committee and the Carlisle Historical Society with a grant to help fund semiquincentennial celebrations.

CHILDREN

  • Open Door Connections at the Discovery Museum in Acton supports families for whom the cost of museum admission is barrier to access.
  • The Kid’s Program at Gleason Public Library will host an all-ages performance of “Peter and the Wolf” by the Storytime Quintet on July 16. 

SCIENCE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

The Cultural Council is pleased to continue to help fund environmental events. 

  • “Twiggy Workshops - Pruning and creating uses for small branches” organized by the Friends of Center Park on March 15.
  • “Spring on a Wing” a community event to promote sustainable gardening, including seed distribution, hosted by Carlisle Garden Club at Union Hall on March 29. 

CELEBRATING CULTURAL DIVERSITY 

  • The Cultural Council helped fund the colorful Bollywood Dance Party organized by DEICAC (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Community Advisory Council) on Nov. 14.
  • On April 25, the Carlisle Parent Teachers Organization will present Native American Speakers at CPS as part of Curriculum Enrichment. 
  • The Carlisle Pride 2025 Community Festival hosted by COAHS, GPL, CPS Admin, CPS PRIDE Club, DEICAC, PTO, FRS will be held on the Common and Union Hall on June 3.


2024 Winter Grant Awards

The Carlisle Cultural Council is excited to announce the recipients of its Winter 2024 Cultural Grants. These grants will support a variety of visual arts, language arts, music, nature, multidisciplinary programs and cultural celebrations, all for the benefit of the Carlisle community. Funds for this round of grants have been provided to the Council by the Town of Carlisle from American Rescue Plan Act funds. 

“The Cultural Council is thrilled to have received so many high-quality applications for creative and interesting programs for the upcoming spring and summer seasons,” stated Council Chair Mark Levitan. “We’re honored to be able to support these wonderful organizations that deliver so much to our town.”

The Carlisle Cultural Council encourages the entire Carlisle community to join in congratulating and supporting these worthy local organizations and programs. Look for dates and program information on organization websites, social media and in the Carlisle Mosquito.

Community PRIDE Festival — CPS DEI Community Advisory Council/Carlisle Parent Teacher Organization

Race Amity Day Celebration — Carlisle Race Amity Day

Route to Sustainability Day — Environmental Sustainability Committee

Short Story Contest — Friends of Gleason Public Library

Multicultural Tea Tasting and Presentation — Carlisle Public School Cross Cultural Club

Native Plant Workshop — Carlisle Garden Club

Earth Day at Center Park — Friends of Center Park

Summer Outdoor Concert — Carlisle Council on Aging & Human Services

Kids Summer Concert — Gleason Public Library

Spring Concert — Carlisle Chamber Orchestra 

Arts Crafts Show & Cake Decorating — Carlisle Old Home Day

FY24 Local Cultural Grant Awards

The Carlisle Cultural Council is excited to announce the recipients of its FY24 Local Cultural Grants! These grants support a wide range of visual arts, music, science and multidisciplinary programs for the benefit of the Carlisle community. 

 

A total of $7,700 is being granted to 20 organizations, funded by $5,300 from the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, through its Local Cultural Council (LCC) program—the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation—and $2,400 from the Carlisle Cultural Council’s ARPA program.

 

The Cultural Council encourages the entire Carlisle community to join in congratulating and supporting these worthy local organizations and programs. Look for dates and program information on organization websites, social media and in the Carlisle Mosquito.

 

 

Carlisle Chamber Orchestra — Amahl and the Night Visitors Operetta

Carlisle Communications, Inc. — Bringing Color to the Carlisle Mosquito

Carlisle Community Chorus — Community Concerts

Carlisle Public Schools — Supporting Culturally Responsive Teaching

Carlisle Recreation Commission — Drum & Rhythm Circle with Otha Day

Concord Art Association — 54th Annual CCHS Art Exhibition

Discovery Museum — Open Door Connections

Friends of Center Park — Bulb Planting To Avoid Varmints

Gleason Public Library — The Ancient Art of Chinese Paper Cutting

Groton Hill Music — Bach's Lunch Concert Series

Nashoba Valley Chorale — On That Glad Night

Open Door Theatre of Acton — The Wizard of Oz

Piti Theatre Company (for Gleason Public Library) — To Bee or Not to Bee

The Concord Chorus — Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms Concerts

The Concord Orchestra — Love Lingers

The Concord Women's Chorus — A Celebration of Glorias

The Delvena Theatre Company (for COAHS) — Meet Julia Child!

The Savoyard Light Opera Company, Inc. — The Addams Family Musical

Virginia Thurston Healing Garden — Artistic Movement: Moving to Heal

Westford Chamber Players — Mother’s Day Diversity Concerts

2023 Winter Grant Awards

The Carlisle Cultural Council is excited to announce the recipients of its Winter 2023 Cultural Grants. These grants will support a variety of visual arts, history, language arts, nature and multidisciplinary programs for the benefit of the Carlisle community. A total of $6,135 is being granted to 11 Carlisle-based organizations. Funds for this round of grants have been provided to the Council by the Town of Carlisle from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. 

The Cultural Council encourages the entire Carlisle community to join in congratulating and supporting these worthy local organizations and programs. Look for dates and program information on organization websites, social media and in the Carlisle Mosquito.

Carlisle Poetry Festival and Poetry Contest - Friends of Gleason Public Library

Carlisle Oral History Project - Carlisle Communications Inc

Native American History - Carlisle PTO

Felted Rainbow Patches - Gleason Public Library

“Stories of US” - CPS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Community Advisory Council

Balancing kitchen gardening with outdoor pollinators - Carlisle Farmer's Market

Quarterly Art Exhibitions - Gleason Public Library

Native plants for your landscape-workshop - Friends of Center Park

Cake and Pie Decorating  - Carlisle Old Home Day Association

Choosing and Planting Native Plants - Carlisle Garden Club 

“Old Time Radio Show” - Savoyard Light Opera Company

FY23 Cultural Grant Awards

The Carlisle Cultural Council is excited to announce the recipients of its FY23 Local Cultural Grants! These grants support a wide range of visual arts, music, science and multidisciplinary programs for the benefit of the Carlisle community. A total of $7,025 is being granted to 16 organizations, funded by $5,300 from the Mass Cultural Council and $1,725 from the Cultural Council’s ARPA program.

Local Cultural Grants are made possible by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, through its Local Cultural Council (LCC) program, the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation. 

Carlisle Environmental Sustainability Committee — "Route to Sustainability" Town-wide Earth Day Festival

Gleason Public Library — "Chain Reactions: Make a Rube Goldberg Machine"

Carlisle Old Home Day Association — Old Home Day Arts and Crafts Show

Carlisle Garden Club — Seed Swap and Share for Sustainability

Deborah Bentley et al — Carlisle Poppy Project

Carlisle Chamber Orchestra — Winter Concert featuring pianist George Lopez

The Savoyard Light Opera Company — "The Pirates of Penzance"

Carlisle Community Chorus — Community Chorus concerts

Carlisle Historical Society — "Preservation of antique and other historically significant Carlisle homes"

Rita Parisi, for Carlisle COAHS — "I am Zelda,” One-act play about Mrs. F. Scott Fitzgerald

Friends of Center Park — Outdoor Benching for Woodland Gardens

Carlisle Communications, Inc (Carlisle Mosquito) — Adding Color to our Shared Culture

Concord Women's Chorus — "Grown Wild" concert

Discovery Museum — Open Door Connections

Virginia Thurston Healing Garden — Visual Arts Therapy

Concord Orchestra — 2022-2023 Season and Music Director Search

FY22 Cultural Grants

Benefits of Native Planting — Carlisle Garden Club

Carlisle Old Home Day — Carlisle Old Home Day Association

Bentwood and Wattle fence Crafting Workshops — Friends of Center Park

Celebrating Carlisle's Preserved Open Spaces — Carlisle Conservation Foundation

Fall Concert featuring the CCO Strings — Carlisle Chamber Orchestra

Oldies Piano & Vocal Concert — Daniel Kirouac on behalf of Carlisle COA

Celebrating Carlisle's Diversity — Carlisle Communications

CPS Garden Lending Library — Carlisle Parent Teacher Organization

Nature and Art Therapy — Virginia Thurston Healing Garden

Learn How to Play the Ukulele — Gleason Public Library

Bach's Lunch Concert Series — Indian Hill Music

AWAKE! — Nashoba Valley Chorale

2021-2022 Concert Season — The Concord Orchestra

FY21 Cultural Grants

Carlisle Cheer Project — "GlowHouse" (Swap Shed Makeover)

Gleason Public Library — ArtMatters

Carlisle Chamber Orchestra — 2021 Holiday Concert

Carlisle Mosquito — Engaging Our Community with Color

Carlisle Community Chorus — Community Concerts

Voices of Reentry — Community Conversations with Citizens Returning from Incarceration

Savoyard Light Opera Company — Theatre Now: A Virtual Community Collaboration

Sheryl Faye Presents Historical Women — Susan B Anthony Failure Is Impossible

Chinese Family Network — Virtual Musical Theatre and Reader Theatre Experience for Children 

Gleason Public Library — Cara Bean Doodling Workshop

Discovery Museum — Open Door Connections

Virginia Thurston Healing Garden — Writing for Wellness

Concord Orchestra — Chamber Music Workshops and Recordings

Concord Chamber Music — Concert and Conversation 

Bernadette Stockwell — Carlisle: Do Your Art!

Sarah Whitney — Beyond the Notes

Previous Grants:

Previous years