The Creative Experiences grant program, administered by the Mass Cultural Council, provides annual project-based funding to organizations supporting arts, humanities, and sciences programming in Massachusetts. The program consolidates the former Festivals & Projects and Creative Projects for Schools grants into a single initiative. Grants of $2,500 or $5,000 are available to fund festivals, residencies, and other cultural activities that occur between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. The grant is designed to foster cultural vitality by funding projects that are either publicly accessible or intentionally serve specific segments of the general public.

A wide variety of organization types are eligible to apply, including nonprofits, for-profits, government entities, pre-K–12 schools, and unincorporated groups operating with a fiscal agent. All applicants must be recognized to conduct business in Massachusetts and meet specific legal and programmatic standards. Experiences must occur within Massachusetts, be accessible to individuals with disabilities, and avoid religious instruction, worship, or political campaign events. Applications must also show that the project budget equals or exceeds the amount requested. Each applicant may submit only one proposal per cycle, and projects may only receive funding once per grant year.

Applicants will be evaluated on eligibility, completeness, and alignment with Mass Cultural Council’s equity priorities. Funding prioritization will favor first-time applicants, those who have received limited previous support, projects that compensate Massachusetts-based artists and cultural workers, and activities in low-income or under-resourced communities, such as Gateway Cities. Additional preference is given to BIPOC-centered organizations and schools with BIPOC-majority student populations. Projects that are free to the public or participate in the Card to Culture program may also receive additional consideration. If eligible applications exceed funding capacity, final decisions will be made using equitable distribution principles and, if necessary, a randomized lottery.

The application opens on March 4, 2025, with a virtual information session scheduled for March 13, 2025. Applications must be submitted by April 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Applicants will be notified by the end of August 2025, and grant contracts will be distributed between late September and October. Funded projects may begin prior to contracting and be paid retroactively. Funds will be disbursed via electronic transfer or check following the return of required contract documents, including a W-9, a CASL form, and the signed state contract.

Grantees must submit a final report by July 15, 2026, detailing how funds were used. They are also required to acknowledge Mass Cultural Council’s support publicly, using the guidelines provided in the contract and publicity kit. Grants may be withheld, reduced, or canceled if the grantee misrepresents information, fails to carry out the project as proposed, or does not comply with contract terms. The Council enforces strict adherence to non-discrimination and accessibility policies in accordance with state and federal law. Applicants may request reconsideration of funding decisions if procedural errors occurred during review.

Applications must be submitted through the online grants management system. Organizations without an existing user profile must register, and returning applicants may reset passwords if needed. For assistance with applications, eligibility, or the grants system, applicants can contact program staff or call 617-858-2821.