The most recent funding Mass Audubon received from the Cultural Facilities Fund was for capital renovations to the Saltonstall Nature Center at Mass Audubon's Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in Natick, MA. These renovations will allow Mass Audubon to provide improved visitor services and program facilities for all visitors and program participants (adults and children). However, the greatest impact will come from being able to better serve the schools that look to Broadmoor to provide their students with top quality environmental educational programming that supports what the students are learning in their classrooms. Additionally, for many of these children, Mass Audubon's programs can offer a first, and motivational, experience that can lead to a real interest in exploring and understanding the wonders of the natural world. Over 4,500 schoolchildren a year come to Broadmoor, and the ever increasing demand from many MetroWest schools had begun to exceed the capacity of Mass Audubon's facilities.

In addition, the CFF funding will help to make the building, a formerly converted horse barn, universally accessible. Mass Audubon has a strong commitment to universal accessibility, and has made a tremendous investment in time and resources to make their buildings, trails, and programs accessible to all. The CFF has also significantly supported these efforts as well—Mass Audubon is grateful to have received grants for three other capital projects at Mass Audubon sanctuaries; Drumlin Farm, Joppa Flats Education Center, and Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary.

Mass Audubon has many other exciting capital campaigns planned at other sanctuaries throughout the Commonwealth in order to improve services to thousands of visitors, and to inspire young people—the future stewards of our environment—through educational programs.   

Daniel Chester French was the foremost American sculptor of public monuments including the Minute Man in Concord, MA and the Abraham Lincoln for the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.  Last year, Chesterwood, a Site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, was awarded a MCC Cultural Facilities Fund grant of $250,000.  

Located in Stockbridge, MA, Chesterwood reflects the rich cultural heritage of the Commonwealth and presents another opportunity to preserve our history. It's one of many locations around the state where investment in cultural facilities is an integral part of the community. 

MASS MoCA was one of the first institutions to receive funding from the Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF). The $429,000 grant award helped MASS MoCA renovate a 27,000 square foot mill building to house 105 wall drawings by Sol LeWitt. Besides the opening of this landmark exhibition, the renovation project better connected MASS MoCA's campus and improved visitor circulation. 

Sol LeWitt: A Wall Drawing Retrospective, which is on view until 2033, comprises of 105 of LeWitt’s large-scale wall drawings, spanning the artist’s career from 1969 to 2007. These occupy nearly an acre of specially built interior walls that have been installed—per LeWitt’s own specifications—over three stories of a historic mill building situated at the heart of MASS MoCA’s campus. The ever-popular retrospective was named the number one museum exhibit of 2008 by Time Magazine and "one of the best single-artist exhibits ever" by New York. More importantly, it continues to attract thousands of new visitors each year -- MASS MoCA has experienced a sustained increase in visitation of over 30%. Of course, this has translated into an increased economic impact for the Northern Berkshire economy.

The Cultural Facilities Fund is an important tool for cultural organizations throughout the Commonwealth as they plan for and implement mission-driven projects that also help their communities. MASS MoCA is grateful for its CFF award; it's had a tremendous impact on the institutions and our patrons. So much has been accomplished with the funds that have been allocated to date. Just imagine the impact future allocations could have on our cultural facilities and cultural economy.    

"Without support from the MA Cultural Council’s Facilities Fund, we would not be in the midst of an exciting expansion that will radically increase our space and scope of service. When our new Education Wing is complete, we will be better able to serve the region, especially youth at risk, individuals with special needs and challenges, seniors, and other under-served populations. Plus, we’ll make even greater contributions to the cultural economy, the quality of life in our community, and the many artists we serve. We are very grateful to the MCC for its support, and we urge our government to increase the MCC’s budget so it can in turn continue to enrich the Commonwealth!"

-Lauren Wolk, Associate Director, The Cultural Center of Cape Cod

Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick provides intensive training to the next generation of artists, and offers a vibrant roster of performances and events to the community. We are currently seeking funds for a new multi-purpose performance space on campus that would open up an array of artistic possibilities for students and help us to continue to serve as an arts hub in Metrowest. Governor Patrick, by exposing more youth to art we develop innovative, compassionate leaders of tomorrow - help Massachusetts to keep art alive by allocating the remaining $26 million in the Cultural Facilities Fund. 

"Without the Narrows, the South Shore and South Coast of Massachusetts would be denied a wonderful venue to see and hear art.  

My husband and I have been patrons and donors for most of the time the Narrows has been in existence.  We have attended concerts and view exhibits in the dead of summer braving the heat.  Fortunately the Narrows received a 2013 Cultural Facilities Fund grant and we can look forwarded to very cool concerts, not just the artists but in temperature.

The Narrows is located in a renovated textile mill. It is truly a wonder and shows the ingenuity of arts and cultural organizations who want to reach the public.  Without the Narrows many of us would be deprived of the "up close and personal" performances where you can reach out and touch the artists.  Many local artists would not be given a start as they are often the warm-up acts for the bigger names. And then there is the jobs created by the organization and the other economic benefits brought to the local area.

Many arts and cultural institutions do not maintain adequate cash reserve for repairs and maintenance and/or regulations change and they don't have the funds to comply (think the Station Nightclub Fire and how it changed the fire regulations for institutions open to the public).  Allocating all or a portion of the $26M would permit arts and cultural institutions to make the repairs and upgrades before they get even more expensive and dire."

Our friends across the River at Passim need some love from the Cultural Facilities Fund. Imagine what Passim and other venues just like it could do if we all convince Governor Patrick to allocate the remaining $26 million of the Cultural Facilities Fund.

"The Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund has provided significant help to Cambridge to maintain and enrich both the arts and the community.  Cambridge has received $400K for construction of the Maud Morgan Visual Arts Center, $169K for ART, $250K for the Cambridge Center for Adult Education and $192,000 for completion of the Central Square Theater. Harvard University has offered to sell Passim the building that has housed us for more than half a century.  A major grant from MCFF will help us raise the money to be able to consummate the purchase.  The result will be an increased capacity to achieve our mission, including being able to provide complete handicap accessibility."

-Dan Hogan, Executive Director, Passim

Does your space need some love from the Cultural Facilities Fund? Send photos and your story to Tracie: [email protected] and we'll share them with the Governor.       

Meet the Berkshire Museum. Another reason for Governor Patrick to allocate the remaining $26 million of the Cultural Facilites Fund in the last year of this cycle.

The Berkshire Museum, a cultural center in the Berkshires for 110 years, serves 85,000 visitors annually and provides more than 16,000 individual educational experiences to local students in science and the arts. Support from the Cultural Facilities Fund has made a critical difference in ensuring the Museum is safe and accessible for all visitors and that collections and exhibitions are preserved for future generations.

-Laurie Werner, Director of Campaign and Major Gifts, Berkshire Museum

Want to share your story? Send a picture and short story about your favorite cultural venue and why the Cultural Facilities Fund matters to your community. Email Tracie:  [email protected]