Marcel LaFlamme: Weigh in on cultural programs

This year, the Greenfield Local Cultural Council has awarded almost $20,000 in state funding to support public programs that contribute to the cultural vitality of our community. From Winter Carnival and Franklin County Pride to over 50 smaller events and creative projects, these funded programs have catalyzed conversations about timely issues and made our area a more dynamic place to live.

Across Massachusetts, each local cultural council sets local priorities and guidelines, which are used to help determine which programs get funded. Before the next grant cycle starts, the Greenfield Local Cultural Council is conducting a survey to better understand the needs and concerns that these criteria should reflect.

If you’re a resident of Greenfield, please take 5 to 10 minutes to complete our survey at tinyurl.com/put6wvvb by June 30.We’ll use the results of the survey to update our local priorities and guidelines, but also to plan for future programs and services to support Greenfield’s cultural and creative sector. So whether you’re an artist or creator, an employee or volunteer at a cultural organization, or an appreciator and supporter of the arts and culture broadly defined, we want to hear from you!

I moved to Greenfield last summer and joined the Local Cultural Council because I wanted to get up to speed on the cultural scene here in my new home. In just one year, I’ve begun to see how much we have to be proud of — and how much more we can do together.

Marcel LaFlamme

Greenfield