By Nicholas Smaldone, Contributing Writer
Westborough – On Feb. 13, the Westborough Cultural Council awarded 27 grants to benefit community art and cultural events. Grants ranged from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars and were given to local organizations such as Hastings School, the Westborough Public Library, the Community Land Trust, and many more.
Cultural Council member Ryan Nguyen explained the work of the council as “encouraging cultural enrichment and creating opportunities for the town and its families.” The grants were funded by the state cultural council, the Town Meeting budget, local sponsors, and the council’s annual Arts on the Common event, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary this fall.
The event was attended by State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) and state representatives Hannah Kane (R-Shrewsbury) and Carolyn C. Dykema (D-Holliston), who described the arts as giving people the ability to “connect with each other and connect with the world.
Westborough Connects member and grant recipient Kelley Petralia was grateful to the Cultural Council for their “early support for emerging organization to make events possible.” In October, Westborough Connects hosted a talk with Lost Boy of Sudan Gabriel Bol Deng at Mill Pond School with money from a grant from the Council.
Future grant funded cultural events include fiddle music and pastel painting at the Westborough Public Library in March.
Photos/Nicholas Smaldone
