26 February, 2019
The Hopkinton Center for the Arts (HCA) has received a
2-year grant of $3,000 from the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, through its Cultural
Investment Portfolio (CIP) Gateway program. This program provides general operating support
and project grants to nonprofit organizations with public programs in the arts, sciences, and
humanities across Massachusetts. The MCC CIP Gateway grant funds are to support the HCA’s
organizational goals and to maintain ongoing programs, services, and facilities.
Selection for the Gateway program is highly competitive – applicants are scored on criteria of
public value and organizational capacity and sustainability, and applications are accepted only
every other year. Demand to participate is high because, in addition to the financial support, the
Gateway is the on-ramp (after four years), to CIP and its larger, formula-based unrestricted
operating support grants.
"I loved the arts as a child and continue to love them as an adult. Public support of the arts
enriches lives by providing access to arts education and culture, fostering connection within the
community”, said Representative Carolyn Dykema (Massachusetts 8th Middlesex District). “The
HCA is critical to providing access to these programs in Hopkinton and the region."
The CIP grant will allow the HCA to continue its mission of bringing arts education to Boston’s
MetroWest communities. In 2018, HCA educational programs served more than 2,000 students
and provided opportunities for study in the creative arts for students with disabilities and those in
need of financial assistance through its scholarship program. The HCA has positioned itself as a
leading center for the arts in Massachusetts through performing and visual arts events such as
free Shakespeare in the summer, art exhibits and talks by Massachusetts artists, local band series,
a cultural series, and its children’s entertainment series.
“The support we receive from the Mass Cultural Council goes beyond the financial support,”
said HCA Director Kelly Grill. “We wouldn’t be here today without their guidance and help. The
grant is an affirmation that they are aware of the work and quality arts programming we provide
to our corner of the MetroWest.”
Mass Cultural Council has a budget of $15.7 million, including an appropriation of nearly $14
million from the state of Massachusetts and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts
and other sources. The agency also runs the Mass Cultural Facilities Fund in partnership with
MassDevelopment.
Mass Cultural Council funds reach every community in the Commonwealth. Its mission is to
promote excellence, education, access and diversity in the arts, humanities and sciences, to
improve the quality of life for all Massachusetts residents and contribute to the vitality of our
communities and economy.
The Hopkinton Center for the Arts offers arts to all people. Classes, productions, and exhibits
serve an inclusive community of students, performers, and artists diverse in age, ability,
experience, ethnicity, and geography.
In the visual arts, theater, music, and dance, HCA annually offers more than 200 classes to
thousands of students, from preschool to seniors. In 2015 the HCA opened its new arts center,
with newly renovated classrooms, a new 200-seat performance space, and new gallery spaces.
Learn more at www.HopArtsCenter.org.
