Enrich your community and join the Franklin Cultural Council (FCC)

The FCC grants funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council to support such non-profit organizations and programs as The 4th of July Celebration, Concerts on the Common, Franklin Public Library, Franklin Historical Museum, Franklin Public Schools, local Arts and Cultural events and so much more.  

Are you a Franklin resident who would like to share your interests in arts and culture? Contact the FCC by email above and learn about this committee.  Unless otherwise indicated, meetings take place every 2nd Monday of the month from September through June.  Time commitment is limited to a couple of hours a month, rewards are limitless.

Contact:	Franklin Cultural Council
Address:	279 East Central Street PMB 284 Franklin, MA 02038
Meetings:	7 p.m. on 2nd Monday of each month from September to May (no December meeting) in the 1st floor conference room #106 unless otherwise noted as follows...

The Franklin Cultural Council is always seeking residents 

who are interested in enriching our community 

through the arts and sciences as a member of the FCC.

Time requirements are limited to a few hours a month, 

but the cultural rewards are unlimited!

Contact the Franklin Cultural Council (FCC)

franklinculture@hotmail.com

Franklin Historical Museum

Here are the FCC 2015 Grant Recipients:

• Live Arts
• Attleboro Arts Museum/High Art Text as Words
• Mass Audubon Society
• Helen Keller Elementary/Plymouth Plantation
• Combating Hate and Prejudice
• Annie Sullivan Middle School/ Remote Control Program
• Benjamin Franklin CCPS/ Musician Betrand Laurence
• Benjamin Franklin CCPS/ Author workshops
• FPAC/Whatever Theatre Festival
• Franklin Art Assoc/ Monthly demonstrations
• Massachusetts Middle School Drama Festival/HMMS
• Helen Keller /Science Sizzlers
• Horace Mann Middle School/Midsummer's Night Dream
• Annie Sullivan Middle School/field trip
• Prolatio Singers & Players
• Southeastern Mass Comm Concert Band
• 4th of July Coalition
• Concerts on Common
• Friends of Franklin Historical Museum

This was shared from the Franklin Art Association email to their members

"how to create a culture which is no longer a culture just of competition, but a culture of welcoming"

Krista Tippet interviewed Jean Vanier and in the course of their talk Jean said:

"... we must educate people to become capable and to take their place in society. That has value, obviously. But it's not quite the same thing as to educate people to relate, to listen, to help people to become themselves. 

So the equilibrium that people with disabilities could bring is precisely this equilibrium of the heart. Children. 

You see, maybe a father is a very strong man and businessman, and when he comes home, if he gets down on his hands and knees and plays with the children, it's the child that is teaching the father something about tenderness, about love, about the father looking at the needs of the child, the face of the child, the hands of the child, relating to the child. 

And the children, the incredible thing about children is they're unified in their body and in — whereas we, we can be very disunified. We can say one thing and feel another."

You can read the full transcript here
http://onbeing.org/program/jean-vanier-the-wisdom-of-tenderness/transcript/7614#main_content

screen grab of OnBeing website for Jean Vanier interview

You can listen to the audio here:
http://onbeing.org/program/wisdom-tenderness/234

or watch the video here

Franklin Cultural Festival Kick-off fundraiser - May 16

We're very excited about both the quantity and the quality of the many varied artists and exhibits we'll experience in July. Of course, these events come with costs associated with it so we're holding the Franklin Cultural Festival Kick-off fundraiser this Saturday night May 16 at 8:00 PM at THE BLACK BOX. 

We hope you'll attend and support our festival. Tickets are $18. Join us for desserts from The Cake Bar, we'll have a cash bar as well. 

We'll be providing more details about the festival, you'll see snippets of some of the performances, we'll have a jazz trio provide some music. So come see good friends and patrons of the arts. 

You can purchase tickets by going to THE BLACK BOX website, www.theblackboxonline.com. Tickets will be available at the door. 

If you cannot attend please consider a donation. You can donate by clicking on our Go Fund Me site www.GoFundMe.com/tx62gs 

Thank you for your interest and support. We look forward to seeing you this Saturday!


The Franklin Cultural District Steering Committee

Arts Happen Here!

The title of this article is the tag line for the Cultural District Committee, as they work toward the establishment of a Cultural District in Franklin. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts established a process through which cities and towns may apply for Cultural District status. The Town of Franklin Cultural District Committee in the process of applying for Cultural District status and one step in the process is the Franklin Cultural Festival, which is scheduled for July 29 to August 2, 2015. 

Franklin Cultural Festival - Arts Happen Here!

When Anita Walker, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, visited Franklin in November 2013, she noted that, “A cultural district is a specific walkable area in the community with a concentration of cultural buildings and activities. Cultural districts aim to attract artists and cultural enterprises to the community, encourage business and job development, establish tourist destinations, preserve and reuse historic buildings, enhance property values and foster local cultural development.” 

This summer, the Cultural Festival will focus its efforts throughout downtown Franklin and beyond, including Dean College, the Franklin Public Library, the Town Common, and the Horace Mann Middle School. The activities will be clustered each day to increase the walkability of the proposed cultural district while simultaneously highlighting the activities and events in the performing arts, the fine arts and the culinary arts. 

The next meeting of the Cultural District Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, May 5 at 7:00 PM at THE BLACK BOX. For more information, contact the Cultural District Committee via email at FranklinCulturalDistrict@gmail.com.

FSPA Debuts New Summer Theater Program

Franklin School for the Performing Arts debuts an all-new FSPA Summer Theater program with opportunity for hands-on immersion in a cabaret show, concert musical, behind-the-scenes theater design, straight play or musical theater production. With a focus on performing opportunities, enrollment is open for one to five weeks, with each week running Monday through Friday from 9:30-3:00 daily.

FSPA

Registration is underway for all programs and placement auditions will be held on Saturday, May 2 at 38 Main Street in downtown Franklin. Auditions are for placement purposes only, as all students are guaranteed a part in whichever week(s) they are registered. A makeup audition will be held on Monday, May 4 at 6:30 p.m. or by appointment throughout the month.

The Summer Theater’s Cabaret week, from July 20-24, focuses on performance skills and presentation, including repertoire choices, song interpretation and audition technique. The experience concludes with a cabaret style revue at THE BLACK BOX that showcases the solo and small ensemble pieces that have been workshopped during the week. For grades 5-12, Cabaret participants also will have the opportunity to perform during the Franklin Cultural Festival.

Students in grades 3-12 enrolled in the Concert Musical week, from July 27-31, will rehearse and present the iconic Schoolhouse Rock! With timeless hits such as “Conjunction Junction,” “I’m Just a Bill” and “Three Is a Magic Number,” the Emmy Award-winning Saturday morning cartoon series taught an entire generation lessons about grammar, science, math, money and American history in a most animated and catchy way. An August 1 matinee performance of Schoolhouse Rock! will be presented at THE BLACK BOX as part of the Franklin Cultural Festival.

A two-week musical theater program, running August 3-7 and August 10-14 for grades 3-12, will present the Disney mega-hit, High School Musical. FSPA will stage the record-breaking, chart-topping pop culture phenomenon at THE BLACK BOX at the conclusion of the second week.

FSPA Summer Theater Week 5, running from August 17-21, will focus on the rehearsal and preparation of a play. The play, which will be chosen based on enrollment, will feature students in grades 5-12 and will be performed at THE BLACK BOX on August 20 and 21.

A behind-the-scenes exploration of theater design and production will include staging, lighting, costuming, sets, stage managing and sound. Offered to students in grades 7-12, Behind the Scenes runs August 10-14 and 17-21, with enrollment options for one or both weeks. Participants in the first week will be part of the tech crew for High School Musical, while those registered for the second week will tech the play.

Placement auditions on May 2 will begin at 2 p.m. for students entering grades 3-5 in September and continue at 2:30 for students entering grades 6-8, and at 3:00 for those entering grades 9-12. Please prepare 16 bars of a musical theater song. Students auditioning for the straight play may choose to prepare a monologue, but that is optional. Cold readings may also be part of the audition.

FSPA Summer Theater is only part of a full roster of programming at the school, which also features two 3- and 4-week ballet intensives, three-day workshops, weeklong camps, and an eight-week session of dance, voice, and instrumental private lessons and classes. The summer session runs from June 29 to August 21. For summer registration or information about programs or the May auditions, call FSPA at (508) 528-8668. For summer session brochure with full program descriptions and dates, call or visit online at www.FSPAonline.com.

Franklin Cultural Festival - applications due - Apr 17th

Hello, 

This is a gentle reminder that Friday, April 17, 2015 is the final day to submit applications for the Franklin Cultural Festival. 

If you wish to participate in this event, kindly submit your application by this Friday, April 17. 

Thank you, 

Pandora Carlucci 

Franklin Cultural District

Town Common bandstand, site of some of the Cultural Festival events

Related posts on the Franklin Cultural Festival being planned for this summer

Feb - application package

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/02/franklin-cultural-festival-application.html

Mar - reminder of application package

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/03/application-package-for-franklin.html

Apr - meeting schedule

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/franklin-cultural-festival-summer-2015.html

Franklin Cultural Festival – Summer 2015

The Franklin Cultural District Committee is pleased to announce that it will be hosting the first Franklin Cultural Festival from Wednesday, July 29 to Sunday, August 2, 2015. 

The Celebration will take place in various locations in downtown Franklin including: The Black Box Theater (inside and outside on its stage) and Historical Museum, in locations along Main, Daniel McCahill and Oak Streets that may include but are not limited to The Cake Bar, Dean College, the Public Library, the Town Common, the Senior Center, and the Horace Mann Middle School, and in private business locations (banks, restaurants, etc.) within the district footprint. 

Franklin Town Common bandstand

Significant streetscape work is planned for downtown Franklin during summer 2015. The Cultural District Committee hopes to have a better understanding of space restrictions resulting from construction sometime during the month of April. At that time it should be able to specifically name the available spaces for events and performances.

The Franklin Cultural Festival Committee will supervise and facilitate the performances and fine arts/culinary arts events from Wednesday, July 29 to Sunday, August 2. Individuals, businesses, and organizations may wish to have events/performances before or after the Festival dates. 

While the Festival Committee’s work is limited to these five (5) days, it will include other cultural events/performances in program materials. To be included in the Festival, as well as in the program materials, the information needs to follow the submission guidelines and all information needs to be submitted by April 17, 2015 at 5:00 PM.

Applications to participate in the fine arts, performing arts, or culinary arts events associated with the Festival may be obtained from the Cultural District Steering Committee members or requested by email. 

The Franklin Cultural District Steering Committee includes: Alan Mercer, Roberta Trahan, Sue Sheridan, Jim Schultz, and Pandora Carlucci. If you would like to receive a copy of the participation application packet, please email the Cultural District Steering Committee at franklinculturaldistrict@gmail.com. 

 If you are interested in learning more about the Franklin Cultural Festival please attend our next meeting on Tuesday, April 21 at 7 PM at The Black Box



The application is also available here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/02/franklin-cultural-festival-application.html

Application Package for the Franklin Cultural Festival is now available

In case you missed this: The application package for the Franklin Cultural Festival is now available.

Attached, please find the application package for the Franklin Cultural Festival performances and events. The Festival will take place between July 29 and August 2, 2015, and will celebrate the Performing Arts, the Fine Arts and the Culinary Arts. 

The application package includes a briefing memo that explains the Festival and the application process. Additionally, it includes information about dates, times and potential locations. There is a 3-page application and a map of the proposed Franklin Cultural District. 

without the snow, the Town Common is likely one of the locations for events scheduled
 for the Cultural Festival during the last week of July

You can find all the details here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/02/franklin-cultural-festival-application.html

Franklin Cultural Festival: Application and Process Info

Hello,

Attached, please find the application package for the Franklin Cultural Festival performances and events. The Festival will take place between July 29 and August 2, 2015, and will celebrate the Performing Arts, the Fine Arts and the Culinary Arts.

The application package includes a briefing memo that explains the Festival and the application process. Additionally, it includes information about dates, times and potential locations. There is a 3-page application and a map of the proposed Franklin Cultural District. 

screen grab of proposed Franklin Cultural District

As you read these materials please note:

1. The deadline for application: April 17, 2015 at 5:00 PM. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

2. All applications must be emailed to the programming committee at the following email address: franklinculturaldistrict@gmail.com

3. If you want to apply for more than one performance or more than one event, you will need to complete a separate application form for each performance or event.

4. For questions or additional information, please email the Programming Committee at the following address: franklinculturaldistrict@gmail.com

Should you know of other people with a Franklin connection who would be interested in participating in the Franklin Cultural Festival you may forward these materials to them. You may also give them our email address to contact us directly.

We look forward to celebrating Franklin through the Franklin Cultural Festival!

With appreciation,

The Programming Committee

Franklin Performing Arts Company Awarded Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund Grant For THE BLACK BOX

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) is pleased to announce that it has received a $220,000 capital grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund. This prestigious grant is awarded to cultural organizations for facilities projects with demonstrated benefit to the local economy and transformative impact to the community served. 

The grant will be used to fund Phase 2 construction and improvements at THE BLACK BOX, FPAC’s new theater, music and event venue located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. “We are thrilled by the news of this award and excited for the anticipated project renovations to make accessible the facility’s second floor, complete the building’s exterior, and provide state-of-the-art lighting and sound,” noted FPAC Executive Director Raye Lynn Mercer. 

"I was pleased to work with the Franklin Performing Arts Company and the Massachusetts Cultural Council to bring these critical funds to our area, and I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead," said Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin). "Having a viable performing arts facility in our town center will breathe new life into the downtown area and be an economic boost for the other businesses. We have long valued the arts and cultural resources in our town, and this grant furthers our efforts to continue to make Franklin a great place to live, work and play." 

FPAC celebrated the grand opening of THE BLACK BOX in September 2014 with a 24th season kick-off headlined by Tony Award winner Beth Leavel and Broadway star Alexander Gemignani. With the new venue, FPAC’s production season has expanded to include five musicals, three plays and a summer festival. FPAC has also introduced Jazz, Children’s, Cabaret, New England Artists, and Artists-in-Residence Series, in addition to the company’s longstanding free Family Concert Series, helping to establish the venue as a suburban hub for great music. 

The multi-use design of THE BLACK BOX fills a need for theater, meeting and event space, and improvements to the facility’s accessibility and second-floor renovations enhance the venue’s flexibility and function. In Franklin, THE BLACK BOX provides a noteworthy cultural and community-oriented facility to anchor several town-supported renovation, building and revitalization initiatives that comprise a multi-million dollar Downtown Improvement Project. 

“The Franklin Performing Arts Company’s new theater has quickly established itself as a cultural destination in our community and across MetroWest,” said Senator Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This well-deserved grant will advance arts, culture and creativity in our community and complement ongoing downtown revitalization efforts. I am proud that the Massachusetts Cultural Council has recognized this state-of-the-art facility as a true asset for downtown Franklin and the Commonwealth.”  

THE BLACK BOX before the snows came!

The Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF) is a capital grant program of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, administered collaboratively by MassDevelopment and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. To date, the Cultural Facilities Fund has made 601 grant commitments totaling $82.7 million to 350 cultural organizations from every region of the state. 

The 2015 CFF capital budget appropriation allocated $15 million for this round of funding for the acquisition, design, repair, renovation, expansion or construction of nonprofit cultural facilities across Massachusetts. The $220,000 capital grant to FPAC is the largest awarded to cultural organizations in the MetroWest region this year. Statewide, 2015 CFF grant recipients include such prestigious and renowned institutions as Boston Ballet, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, Museum of Fine Arts and New England Conservatory.

“We’re pleased to be among some of the finest cultural organizations in the Commonwealth being awarded grants this year,” stated Alan Mercer, Director of Advancement at FPAC. “While the funding is so appreciated, to be a recipient of this grant is an endorsement of our credibility as a valuable cultural asset to our community and the Commonwealth.” 

Founded in 1991, the nonprofit FPAC supports educational arts experiences, quality entertainment and outstanding performance opportunities for professional artists, community performers and students of the arts. With a focus on youth development and a commitment to live music, FPAC productions draw performers and audiences from more than 120 communities across the Boston MetroWest region, western Massachusetts and the New England states. For more information, call (508) 528-3370 or visit online at www.fpaconline.com or www.theblackboxonline.com.

Franklin Arts Festival Meeting Reminder - Jan 29 - 7:00 PM

Hi All  

We wanted to remind you that the Franklin Arts Festival meeting will be held tomorrow evening Thursday, January 29 at 7PM at THE BLACK BOX. 

Please spread the word and invite any potential participants.  

Topics

• Name the Festival
• Update on Action Items
• Discuss Length of Festival and number of venues
• Finalize Committees
• Define Next Steps

Our committee has been working hard developing the plans and soliciting support for the festival.  We hope that you and all our participants are spreading the word to develop an energy and enthusiasm for the week.  

See you tomorrow night  

Best,  

Steering Committee

 

THE BLACK BOX Theater, 15 West Central St, Franklin, MA

Plan "a week-long celebration of the arts"

The Franklin Cultural District Steering Committee is in the process of planning a week-long celebration of the arts in downtown Franklin in July.

We envision a celebration that would include participation by all things Cultural that are Franklin-based.

We’ll celebrate Franklin’s

• Musicians 
• Dancers 
• Actors 
• Artists 
• Writers 
• Poets 
• History through Museum and Library tours and events 
• OTHER SUGGESTIONS

The week could include performances at venues throughout the downtown such as Franklin Common, THE BLACK BOX and others. Museum and Library tours. Events at our Downtown Restaurants. Let’s think out of the box.

BRING YOUR IDEAS. Plans are not finalized yet. The purpose our meeting is to develop some enthusiasm and get your feedback to drive this event to a wonderful week celebrating the arts and perhaps to build an annual celebration.


When:  January 15 at 7PM 
Where: THE BLACK BOX

THE BLACK BOX Theater - 15 West Central St, Franklin

Ladybug Spots - Community Send Off - Saturday, Oct 25th

Join us as we honor the 40th Anniversary of our State Bug. As this year long celebration of the 1974 2nd grade class from the Kennedy Elementary School and their teacher, Palma Johnson comes to a close, enjoy this final chance to see all 25 of the 2 foot artistically decorated Ladybugs together in one place.

Saturday, October 25, 2014 • 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Franklin Art Center • 391 East Central Street, Franklin, MA

Franklin Art Center ladybug

Additional photos from the Ladybug appearance on the Town Common in August can be found here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157645935226828/

Franklin Cultural Council Seeks Funding Proposals

Proposals for community-oriented arts, humanities and science programs are due no later than October 15 2014. 

The Town of Franklin Cultural Council has set an October 15 2014 postmark deadline for organizations, schools and individuals to apply for grants that support cultural activities in the community.  

Franklin Cultural Council tent on Town Common when the Ladybug Spots appeared

According to Council spokesperson Kai Olsson, these grants can support a variety of artistic projects and activities in Franklin -- including exhibits, festivals, field trips, short-term artist residencies or performances in schools, workshops and lectures. 

The Town of Franklin Cultural Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The LCC Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences and humanities every year. The state legislature provides an annual appropriation to the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, which then allocates funds to each community. 

This year the Franklin Cultural Council will, in association with The Massachusetts Culture Council, distribute approximately $10,000 in grants. A list of last years’ recipients is published on The Town of Franklin Cultural Council webpage at http://www.town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_BComm/cultural. 

For specific guidelines and complete information on the Town of Franklin Cultural Council, contact Kai Olsson at franklinculture@hotmail.com. 

Application forms and more information about the Local Cultural Council Program are available online at http://www.mass-culture.org/lcc_public.aspx. 

Application forms are also available at The Franklin Public Library and The Town Clerks’ Office, Franklin Town Hall.

Ladybug Spots coming to the Town Common - Aug 9 and 10 from noon to 4:00 PM

Friendly reminder that the Ladybug Spots will be appearing on the Town Common this weekend. You recall earlier this year, the Franklin Cultural Council created the Ladybug Spots Project. The decorated Ladybug Spots are now ready to showcase to one and all.

The showing will be held on the Franklin Town Common Saturday and Sunday, Aug 9 and 10 from noon to 4:00 PM.

Ladybug

Davis Thayer's Ladybug

On the one hand you can combine a visit to the St Rocco's Festival with a visit to the Ladybug Spots. On the other hand, be aware that parking around the Town Common with St Rocco's underway will be challenging.


From the archive on Ladybug Spots

Jan 2014
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/01/community-will-gain-lot-from-it.html

Apr 2014
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/04/cultural-council-open-house-and-awards.html

Jun 2014
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/ladybug-spots-public-art-project.html

Ladybug Spots on the Town Common --- Aug 9-10

You recall earlier this year, the Franklin Cultural Council created the Ladybug Spots Project. The decorated Ladybug Spots are now ready to showcase to one and all.

The showing will be held on the Franklin Town Common Saturday and Sunday, Aug 9 and 10 from noon to 4:00 PM.

Ladybug

Davis Thayer's Ladybug

On the one hand you can combine a visit to the St Rocco's Festival with a visit to the Ladybug Spots. On the other hand, be aware that parking around the Town Common with St Rocco's underway will be challenging.


From the archive on Ladybug Spots

Jan 2014
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/01/community-will-gain-lot-from-it.html

Apr 2014
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/04/cultural-council-open-house-and-awards.html

Jun 2014
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/ladybug-spots-public-art-project.html

Do we pay for the roads, or not that is the question...

*** The Town Council voted to put the ballot question before the voters to raise $1.5 million on a dedicated override to pay for roads and sidewalks. The dedicated override if approved, can only be used for this purpose. This is not line an 'operational' override which for the first year has a cause to rally around it, but in subsequent years the fund drop into the general fund.

road work on Uncas St

If approved, the money raised by the vote would be voted on by the Town Council in July of 2015 to be used for repairing some roads. If the Council in subsequent years, doesn't vote the full amount or any amount, then no money would be spent on the roads. The voters could change the amount or stop the override in another vote.

The $1.5 million would likely be paired with the approx. $1M of water/sewer line repairs and $900,000 in Chapter 90 funds from the State to help make a dent in the overall backlog of repairs required by the 200 miles of roads in Franklin.

The text of the ballot question can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/resolution-14-45-dedicated-override-to.html

*** The Town Council voted to fund the hiring of a project manager and architect to proceed with the Library renovations and expansion. This funding would allow for the more detail planning that a formal committee would do to eventually come back to the Council with a more detailed design and cost estimate for the work. The return would like be about this time next year.

The amount authorized was $1M. The amount would be funded within the existing debt service plan and not require any increase in taxes. The same funding method was use to provide for the Senior Center, the Fire Stations, and other significant capital expenses outside of the schools which have been covered by debt overrides (and an appropriate increase in taxes).

Franklin Public Library

The Finance Committee meeting had a more detail overview of the project. The presentation and those notes can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/live-reporting-finance-committee-060314.html



*** The Town Council also heard from Alan Mercer on the proposal for creation of a "Cultural District" in Franklin. There are many benefits to do so and the Council spoke in favor of the process.

revised outline of proposed Cultural Council for Franklin

My notes as captured during the meeting on Wednesday can be found here

Live reporting: Closing 

Live reporting: Legislation 

Live reporting: Cultural Council presentation 

Live reporting: Town Council - June 4

• 
  

LadyBug Spots Public Art Project

The LadyBug Spots Public Art Project is coming to Franklin this summer and into the fall. This fantastic art project will give business, civic organizations, and the whole Franklin community something to celebrate as we honor the 40th anniversary of the law naming our state bug, born in Franklin. 

Local area professional artists will collaborate with sponsors to create 25 unique pieces of art. Funds raised from the project will be used towards erecting a sculpture honoring Palma Johnson and the work she did with her students from the Kennedy Elementary School.

If you would like more information about sponsoring a ladybug or would like to be one of the many artists, please contact the Franklin Cultural Council at franklinculture@hotmail.com.

You can also find an article that ran in June issue of Local Town Pages, Franklin:
http://www.franklintownnews.com/content/franklin-ladybugs-get-their-spots

plain Ladybug - ready for adoption

adopted Ladybug and in progress

Ladybug Spots information

Live reporting: Cultural Council presentation

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
– Allan Mercer – Cultural District

Last fall during the visit with Anita Walker, Executive Director of MA Cultural Council had mentioned this would be a good opportunity to become a cultural district.

Attract business and tourists...
steering committee formed in March
continuing to work on application
identified 40 organizations to be stakeholders, likely more to be added

will look to form a 501(c)3
will be looking to fund raise
there is no connection between this group and the campaign around the Emmons St building

instead of a single organization like FSPA, there is power with the greater numbers

2015 envisioned a week long celebration of the arts to be held downtown
there is a lot of work left to do
here tonight to inform you and to ask of your assistance as we go forward

Bissanti - I appluad you for taking this forward
Jones - I think this is a great idea, a no-brainer. Are there additional benefits offered by the State?

Mercer - initially no, but once we are operating and running programs, there are additional funding available for programs.

Kelly - I'd love to see this happen. I would also like to see the district expand, there are lots of old houses that might be able to take advantage of this

Cultural District being proposed for Franklin

On the Town Council agenda Wednesday for discussion before getting to the Library and the dedicated override for the road repairs, Alan Mercer is scheduled for a presentation on the Cultural District proposal being put together for Franklin.

From the Mass Cultural Council homepage:

The evidence is clear: A thriving creative sector is one of our Commonwealth's most powerful economic development assets. In support of this, the MCC’s Cultural Districts Initiative was authorized by an act of the Massachusetts state legislature in 2010, and launched in April 2011.

Mass Cultural Council

The legislation referenced:

SECTION 3. Said chapter 10 is hereby further amended by inserting after section 58 the following section: 

M.G.L. Chapter 10, Section 58A. (a) The council shall establish criteria and guidelines for state-designated cultural districts. A cultural district shall be a geographical area of a city or town with a concentration of cultural facilities located within it. Cultural districts shall attract artists and cultural enterprises to a community, encourage business and job development, establish tourist destinations, preserve and reuse historic buildings, enhance property values and foster local cultural development. The council shall assist a city or town if the city or town wishes to develop or foster a cultural district. The council shall develop an application process, with specific guidelines and criteria, for a city or town that wishes to develop or foster a cultural district. 

Executive branch agencies, constitutional offices and quasi-governmental agencies shall identify programs and services that support and enhance the development of cultural districts and ensure that those programs and services are accessible to such districts. The council shall consult with the Massachusetts historical commission in developing and establishing criteria and guidelines regarding preservation and reuse of historic buildings. 

(b) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, executive branch agencies, constitutional offices and quasi-governmental agencies including, but not limited to, the council and historic preservation programs, shall review and revise regulations and other economic development tools, including the evaluative criteria of such historic preservation programs, in order to support and encourage the development and success of state-designated cultural districts. 

Acts of 2010 Chapter 188, Section 70. The Massachusetts cultural council, in cooperation with the executive branch, constitutional offices, quasi-governmental agencies and the joint committee on tourism, arts and cultural development, shall identify state incentives and resources to enhance cultural districts pursuant to section 52A of chapter 10 of the General Laws and shall report its findings and recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry those recommendations into effect by filing the same with the clerk of the senate and house of representatives not later than January 1, 2011.

You can find more about the proposal in the agenda document beginning on page 20
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_CouncilAgendas/2014/050714.pdf

You can find more about the Mass Cultural Council on their page http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/