Cultural Council

In Massachusetts, public funding for the arts, humanities, and sciences is provided through a central state agency, the Mass Cultural Council (MCC), and through a network of Local Cultural Councils that serve every city and town in the state.

The East Longmeadow Cultural Council receives an annual appropriation of State Funds from the MCC and makes these funds available to the community through its grant programs. We accept grant applications from individuals and organizations. Grants are issued to support arts, humanities and the sciences. Priority is given to grant applicants that have secured a local venue and offer programs that offer diverse cultural programs for a variety of audiences.

Arts and Brew

Date: Saturday, October 14

Time: 11am - 5pm

Location: Center Field, East Longmeadow

The Council will be holding its second annual Arts and Brew Fest at this year's Celebrate EL. There will be over 50 vendors at Celebrate, food trucks, live performances and fun for the whole family. Come visit us as at our tent where there will be artists, authors and a live art demonstration.

2023 Grantees:

This year's grantees have been awarded and the projects are below. We will update this section as we get more details from the vendors. 

In addition to these events the council also gave a grant St. Michael's to help them purchase a Lighting Board for the parish.

Name of projectLocationDate and time
Art ClassesNorcross HouseTBD
A View from Around the WorldPleasant View Senior CenterMonthly
A Pleasant View: Art ExhibitPleasant View Senior CenterJanuary 2023
Hip Hop Chair Dance for SeniorsEast Village PlaceFebruary 2023
Dance & Music Comedy by Jazz Bones, David NeillPleasant View Senior CenterFebruary 24, 2023
Model CongressEast Longmeadow High SchoolMarch 2023
1908 Tea hosted by Rita ParisiPleasant View Senior CenterMay 10, 2023
Happy Valley ComedyEast Longmeadow Public LibraryJune 20, 2023 at 6:30pm
This Land is Your Land with Roger TincknellTBDJune 29, 2023
Henry the Juggler, with Henry LappenTBDJune 30, 2023
East Longmeadow Fourth of July ParadeTown of East LongmeadowJuly 4, 2023
Inter-generation Magic Show with Edward Cope Jr.TBDJuly 21, 2023
Windjammer Circus Band Performance with Sheldon RossPleasant View Senior CenterJuly 28, 2023
It's Your VisionEast Longmeadow LibrarySummer 2023
Express Yourself with ArtEast Longmeadow LibrarySummer 2023
East Longmeadow Summer Concert SeriesEast Longmeadow High SchoolSummer 2023
Celebrate ELCenter FieldTBD
Small Planet Dancers with the Republic of DanceTBDOctober 13, 2023
Ms. Senior MA Musical ReviewPleasant View Senior CenterNovember 16, 2023
Name that TV Theme with Richard PlasseEast Village PlaceNovember 29, 2023
Happy Holidays with Ruth HarcovitzTBDDecember 14, 2023
Sculpting with Wool: Intro to Needle Felting with Tracy KochanskiEast Longmeadow Public LibraryMay 6, 2023 at 10:30am
Pax Sax Concert with George OwensEast Longmeadow Library June 6, 2023 at 6pm
The Rose, Find Your Voice with Pastel PaintingEast Longmeadow LibraryApril 4, 2023 at 5pm
Bring Home Cultures of the WorldTBDTBD
  1. Members
  2. Grant Information

The Cultural Council consists of nine members who are appointed by the Town Manager to serve three-year terms.

NamePositionTerm End
JoAnn AsselinChair2024
Mary Jenewin-CaplinSecretary2025
Eleanora WalshTreasurer2025
Teresa Bendzinski
2024
Jane Riley
2026
Mary Ellen Sheehan
2024
Patti La Branch

2025
Maryann Igoe

2026
Paula Fimognari

2026