Innovation Fund
The Innovation Fund offers annual grants to UP Designated Organizations for developing and implementing innovative projects that improve accessibility in arts and cultural settings.
Funder: Mass Cultural Council
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2026 (full application) | November 2026 (contract due) | July 2027 (final report)
Funding Amounts: $5,000 per award; annual program; total program funding ~$465,000
Summary: Annual grants to UP Designated Organizations for planning and implementing innovative accessibility systems in arts and cultural settings.
Description
The Innovation Fund is part of the Universal Participation (UP) Initiative at Mass Cultural Council and provides annual $5,000 grants to UP Designated Organizations. The Fund supports innovative projects that plan, implement, and evaluate systems, programs, or policies to make arts and cultural organizations more accessible to people of all abilities. Funding is intended to foster creative solutions that go beyond compliance, encouraging new strategies, technologies, or practices that improve access and participation in cultural life.
