July 17, 2008 — Twenty-two Massachusetts nonprofits located in 18 communities from Dennis to Stockbridge—including small neighborhood-based cultural organizations, large museums, theaters, and performance groups—recently were awarded grants ranging from $675,000 to $10,000 from the state’s Cultural Facilities Fund.

The grants, totaling $2,121,996, were announced by the Massachusetts Cultural Council today and MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development authority.

Of the amount awarded, $1,982,871 will support 17 capital projects, and $139,125 will be used by five groups for feasibility and planning studies.

Grants from the Cultural Facilities Fund will support Massachusetts nonprofit cultural organizations with building projects that increase tourism, create new jobs, leverage private funding and expand arts and cultural activities in communities across the state.

“I’m glad we can add to Governor Patrick’s recent good news announcement of a first-in-the-nation creative economy director by announcing this next round of Cultural Facilities Fund grant recipients,” said Robert L. Culver, MassDevelopment president/CEO. “This funding demonstrates the Legislature and Administration’s commitment to our creative economy, and its role in attracting visitors to Massachusetts, generating revenue, creating jobs and enhancing our quality of life.”

“This program has already invested in more than 100 exciting cultural building projects across the state,” said Anita Walker, Massachusetts Cultural Council executive director. “In the first 62 projects alone, we’ve helped stimulate $600 million in capital projects, created hundreds of permanent jobs, and provided a major stimulus to tourism. These new grants will build on that effort and expand the program’s impact in new communities.”

The following grants were awarded:

Capital Grants:

Ecotarium, Worcester, $51,917
Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra, Worcester, $280,000

Greater Boston

Capital Grants:
The Boston Conservatory, Boston, $675,000
Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center, Cambridge, $45,664
The Dance Complex, Inc., Cambridge, $112,500
Gore Place Society, Inc., Waltham, $205,140
Puppet Showplace, Inc., Brookline, $19,380
WGBH Educational Foundation, Brighton, $140,000

Metro West

Capital Grants:
Emerson Umbrella Center for the Arts, Concord, $96,000
Thoreau Farm Trust, Concord, $23,250

Feasibility & Technical Assistance Grants:
Danforth Museum of Art, Framingham, $37,500

Northeast

Capital Grants:
Marblehead Little Theater, Marblehead, $60,000

Feasibility & Technical Assistance Grants:
The American Textile Museum, Lowell, $37,500
The Rockport Chamber Music Festival, Rockport, $22,500

Southeast

Capital Grants:
Cape Cod Repertory Theatre Co., Inc., Brewster, $150,000
The Cape Cod Museum of Art, Dennis, $38,220
Lloyd Center for Environmental Studies, South Dartmouth, $10,000

Feasibility & Technical Assistance Grants:
Mansfield Music & Arts Society, Inc., Mansfield, $13,875

Western

Capital Grants:
Berkshire Theatre Festival, Inc., Stockbridge, $160,000
Northampton Academy of Music, Inc., Northampton, $34,800
Ventfort Hall Association, Inc., Lenox, $120,000

Feasibility & Technical Assistance Grants:
The Guthrie Center, Great Barrington, $27,750