Would you like to join Newton’s Cultural Council?
If you are interested in supporting the arts in Newton please consider applying to become a member of the NCC. Our current board consists of professional artists and others with a wide variety of expertise in PR, Finance, event production, and board operations. While you do not need to be a professional artist, musician, writer, or scientist to join, it helps to have skills that will help us with our mission. This is a great time to join as we are looking to evolve our role and will be doing some strategic planning.
You will need comfort in working with groups and the ability to review grant proposals. The council’s primary mission is: “to distribute funds with a focus on developing and promoting an artistic, humanist and scientific community and help those individuals enrich Newton residents’ lives with their work.”
You should plan on observing a subcommittee meeting and a full board meeting to get acquainted with the NCC then set up a meeting with the city representative and the NCC chair.
Council Membership Approval
Please note that because the NCC is an official council of the City of Newton, membership on the council is subject to the application to, and approval by the Mayor of Newton. If appointed, members should be willing to serve at least one three-year term. Members receive no financial remuneration.
Please email nccinfo@newtonculturalcouncil.com for more information on how to apply to become a council member!
Council Member Responsibilities
Grant proposals are open for 6 weeks in the autumn every year, and the council usually holds a number of meetings before, during and after this time period that council members are expected to attend. NCC members are expected to help applicants with any questions they may have in putting together their proposal. After the deadline passes, NCC members take on a number of applications for close review, fill in adjudication forms, and present to the full board for funding.
Once an event is funded a council member also assists in ensuring the event is properly publicized, especially with regard to crediting the support of the Newton Cultural Council and Massachusetts Cultural Council. It is helpful, but not necessary, for the council member to attend the grantee’s event.