Innovation Fund
Forecasted
The Innovation Fund from Mass Cultural Council supports UP Designated Organizations in developing and testing innovative solutions to improve accessibility and inclusion in arts and culture.
Funder: Mass Cultural Council
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2026 (application deadline) | November 2026 (contract package due) | July 2027 (final report due)
Funding Amounts: $5,000 per award; annual grant; one award per eligible organization per cycle.
Summary: Supports UP Designated Organizations in developing and implementing innovative accessibility systems to foster greater inclusion in arts and culture.
Key Information: Only organizations with current UP Designation are eligible; funding must directly improve or increase access.
Description
The Innovation Fund is an annual grant program from the Mass Cultural Council designed to help UP Designated Organizations plan, implement, and evaluate new accessibility systems within their operations. As part of the Universal Participation (UP) Initiative, the fund seeks to drive meaningful, innovative change in cultural institutions by supporting projects that address barriers to access—beyond minimum compliance—with creative solutions that foster greater inclusion for all audiences. Funding can support improvements in physical, digital, programmatic, social, and communication environments, as well as institutional policies and staff development related to accessibility.
