In 2022, a series of public sculptures were exhibited on Main Street in Reflections and several events celebrated Cummington’s community spirit and making connections to the town’s natural beauty and agricultural heritage. In 2023, the Cummington Cultural District received its state designation, becoming the smallest, most rural cultural district to date. A $15,000.00 grant was awarded to Cummington to pursue its mission and goals. The MCC generously provided the cultural district with a second $15,000 to continue its work in 2024-25. Participate and enjoy Reflections in our third year!

For the last two years, a committee has been working on applying for a Cultural District designation for Cummington based on its unique history and cultural assets. As part of the launch, the committee seeks to initiate a highly visible and positive public arts event which celebrates Cummington’s community spirit and connects to the town’s natural beauty and agricultural heritage.

The Committee has chosen for a theme Reflections based on the dual meaning of the word and its alignment to the Cultural District goals of connecting local people to the area’s history and the natural beauty around them.

 REFLECTIONS: Main Street Art Activations 2024 Offers Partial Funding for:

· Artists to create new public art on Main Street

· Performers’ fees for events taking place in Cummington

· Organizers of cultural events taking place in Cummington

Applications should include the following:

• Pre-approved location and contact information for site
• Start and end date and times for events
• Total budget and list other funding sources
• Description of proposed project no more than 250 words
• Representative images, drawings or detailed plans for the proposed project
• Scale & Materials
• Technical Requirements that impact the projects ex: stage, sound or light equipment

Accepted proposals will be awarded on a sliding scale at the discretion of the Cultural District Committee. The selection committee members are: Ilse Godfrey, John Bye, Leslie Ferrin, and June Lynds – with input from the site hosts and relevant town committees.

Up to 6 projects will be funded.

The maximum award is $1000.

Preference will be given to artists from Cummington and the adjacent towns of Ashfield,

Windsor, Worthington, Chesterfield, Goshen and Plainfield. A secondary preference will be

given to projects with ties to the Hilltowns, expanding diversity in content, programming and presentation in engaging with the community.

Other selection criteria will include: aesthetics, originality, safety, feasibility, scale and durability.

Open to individual, collaborative or partnership projects. One primary point of contact must be provided and only one stipend payment will be issued to the primary point of contact.

The selected artist will be responsible for maintenance of their art for the duration of the

installation and encouraged to be on view through October 31, approximately four months.

· CCD will provide a contract and payments to the selected artists

· CCD will publicize the installation and host an interactive community event to celebrate the launch 

Applications Open: April 1, 2024

Deadline for Proposal Submission: May 13, 2024 (11:59pm)

Selection Committee Decision: May 15, 2024

Contracts Signed & Returned: May 25, 2024

EXTENDED DEADLINE: June 15, 2024

Projects may begin June 1 2024, Permanent sculptures to be completed by June 1 2025

Applications are accessible through an online form linked below. Please download this budget template form to include with your application, as well: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Fc8tiogrB9NRGZmJHnrsiIQ-wT9V0Kwo/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110008051595139805954&rtpof=true&sd=true

Or email applications and forms to culturaldistrictcummington@gmail.com.

Or sent via mail. Paper copies of the application form can be picked up and submitted at Community House, Selectboard’s Office at 33 Main Street, Cummington, MA 01026.