JMAC Access Grant Program
JMAC Access Grant Program supports cultural organizations and individual artists presenting projects at Worcester’s Jean McDonough Arts Center to share stories, create new work, and benefit communities.
Funder: Greater Worcester Community Foundation
Due Dates: December 1, 2026, by midnight (Letter of Intent) | February 4, 2027, at midnight (Project Narrative)
Funding Amounts: Maximum discretionary funding of $1,075–$6,100, plus JMAC venue costs of $2,500–$14,250, depending on space and duration
Summary: Supports cultural organizations and individual artists presenting projects at the Jean McDonough Arts Center for Central Massachusetts audiences.
Key Information: Applicants advancing beyond the Letter of Intent must meet in person with the JMAC team in January 2027.
Description
The JMAC Access Grant Program supports cultural organizations and individual artists/creatives presenting projects at the Jean McDonough Arts Center in downtown Worcester. Offered by JMAC in partnership with Greater Worcester Community Foundation, with support from the Barr Foundation, the 2027 program funds project development, implementation, marketing, and venue usage. It helps presenters share their stories and programs with Central Massachusetts audiences, create new work, generate income, and positively impact their communities.
The program reinforces JMAC’s role as a cultural home and convening space, especially for Worcester’s historically marginalized communities and underserved artists. Selection emphasizes creative projects and space usage, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and work that matters to the presenting artist or organization. New projects receive priority, while returning projects should demonstrate an intention to evolve or iterate.
