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The 2026 grant funds have been fully distributed and our grant programs are now closed. Thank you for an amazing 2026 Grant Season! Now we get to look forward to attending all of the great things that our grantees create!

🎨 Visit creativecounty.org/grants to read about some of the projects that were funded

🖌️ And follow @creativecounty for grantee project updates!

SAVE THE DATE! 🗓 Please join us on Wednesday, June 10th from 4-6pm in Amesbury for the celebration of the MVCulture project!

🚌 4pm Ribbon Cutting at the bus shelter on 54 Friend St, Amesbury, MA
🚌 Then walk over to the Reception at @barewolfbrewing at 12 Oakland Street, Amesbury, MA

The even will include artist remarks and project visuals from:
🦋 @jennhoulestudio - "Birds + Bugs by Bus"
🗺 @katedelaney - Arts & Culture Transit Map

Learn more about MVCulture: mvpc.org/cultural-planning (or link in bio)

[mensaje bilingüe] 🚌 Did you know? MeVa Bus rides are always free - and now so is your chance to promote your programs + events!

✅ Digital Screens inside MeVa buses are available for FREE community events & announcements.
✅ Now, the Print Ad Space above the seats is FREE to Arts & Culture groups and orgs too!
✅ Even better: Thanks to a grant and collaboration between @EssexCountyCommunityFoundation, Merrimack Valley Planning Commission and Merrimack Valley Transit (@mevatransit) called “MVCulture,” we’ll cover the printing costs of your first 14 signs!

This is an amazing oppoMerrimack Valley Transitacross the region - whether it’s inviting them to try something new on their daily route(s) or encouraging them to go on an adventure on a different route!

👉 Get all the details (eligibility, sizing, and submission info) here: tinyurl.com/MeVaAdGuidelines

(Note: the free printing is a limited-time only grant opportunity and will be available on a first, first served basis... so submit your ad soon!)

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🚌 ¿Sabías que los viajes en autobús MeVa son siempre gratuitos? ¡Ahora también lo es tu oportunidad de promocionar tus programas y eventos!

✅ Las pantallas digitales dentro de los autobuses MeVa están disponibles GRATIS para eventos y anuncios comunitarios.
✅ Ahora, el espacio publicitario impreso sobre los asientos también es GRATIS para grupos y organizaciones artísticas y culturales.
✅ Y lo que es aún mejor: gracias a una subvención y a la colaboración entre la Essex County Community Foundation, la Comisión de Planificación del Valle de Merrimack y Merrimack Valley Transit (MeVa), denominada "MVCulture," ¡cubriremos los gastos de impresión de tus primeros 14 carteles!

Esta es una oportunidad increíble para llegar a los pasajeros de toda la región, ya sea invitándoles a probar algo nuevo en sus rutas diarias o animándoles a aventurarse en una ruta diferente.

👉 Obtenga todos los detalles (requisitos, tamaño e información para el envío) aquí: tinyurl.com/MeVaAdGuidelines.

(Nota: la impresión gratuita es una oportunidad de subvención por tiempo limitado y estará disponible por orden de llegada, así que envíe su anuncio pronto).

[mensaje bilingüe] 🚌 Did you know? MeVa Bus rides are always free - and now so is your chance to promote your programs + events!

✅ Digital Screens inside MeVa buses are available for FREE community events & announcements.
✅ Now, the Print Ad Space above the seats is FREE to Arts & Culture groups and orgs too!
✅ Even better: Thanks to a grant and collaboration between @EssexCountyCommunityFoundation, Merrimack Valley Planning Commission and Merrimack Valley Transit (@mevatransit) called “MVCulture,” we’ll cover the printing costs of your first 14 signs!

This is an amazing oppoMerrimack Valley Transitacross the region - whether it’s inviting them to try something new on their daily route(s) or encouraging them to go on an adventure on a different route!

👉 Get all the details (eligibility, sizing, and submission info) here: tinyurl.com/MeVaAdGuidelines

(Note: the free printing is a limited-time only grant opportunity and will be available on a first, first served basis... so submit your ad soon!)

--------------------

🚌 ¿Sabías que los viajes en autobús MeVa son siempre gratuitos? ¡Ahora también lo es tu oportunidad de promocionar tus programas y eventos!

✅ Las pantallas digitales dentro de los autobuses MeVa están disponibles GRATIS para eventos y anuncios comunitarios.
✅ Ahora, el espacio publicitario impreso sobre los asientos también es GRATIS para grupos y organizaciones artísticas y culturales.
✅ Y lo que es aún mejor: gracias a una subvención y a la colaboración entre la Essex County Community Foundation, la Comisión de Planificación del Valle de Merrimack y Merrimack Valley Transit (MeVa), denominada "MVCulture," ¡cubriremos los gastos de impresión de tus primeros 14 carteles!

Esta es una oportunidad increíble para llegar a los pasajeros de toda la región, ya sea invitándoles a probar algo nuevo en sus rutas diarias o animándoles a aventurarse en una ruta diferente.

👉 Obtenga todos los detalles (requisitos, tamaño e información para el envío) aquí: tinyurl.com/MeVaAdGuidelines.

(Nota: la impresión gratuita es una oportunidad de subvención por tiempo limitado y estará disponible por orden de llegada, así que envíe su anuncio pronto).

🗓️ Our next Movies as Medicine *FREE* matinee screening is coming up next Monday, May 18!

Join us for an afternoon of cinema and connection featuring iconic classic films, one Monday a month. This month, we're screening the original Thomas Crown Affair, starring Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway!

Please register to attend at thecabot.org

Thanks to our supporters @beantrustcoffeebar @creativecounty & @seniorcareinc_mass
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What if your daily bus stop sparked curiosity, connection, and care for the world around you? 🐦🌿

Birds by Bus is transforming transit spaces into moments of wonder—using vibrant murals of birds, butterflies, and native plants to invite riders to slow down, look closer, and notice the ecosystems we’re all part of.

Led by NECC professor and public artist Jenn Houle, this project blends art, science, and community—encouraging people to see nature not as something “out there,” but right here in their own community and backyards.

From murals to “green leaf” stops connecting riders to nearby parks and pollinator gardens, this is about making conservation accessible—one bus stop at a time.
Conservation starts with noticing. Click the link in our bio to view the full video💫

#BirdsByBus #MerrimackValley NECC #essexcountycreates

CCI Grantee Events happening this weekend! 📅 Visit the tagged grantees to learn more about attending their events!

1️⃣ Coka Mũciĩ by 2026 ALAANA Artist Grantee, @wangecigitau
Saturday, April 18 from 4-8pm
at @modstudios.ma

2️⃣ Homecoming by @luckyknotarts
Saturday, April 18 from 6-8pm
at 2026 Special Project Grantee, @urban.art.museum

3️⃣ Amesbury City Hall Circus by 2025-26 Partnership Grantee, @theaterintheopen
Saturday, April 18 from 11am-3pm
at Amesbury City Hall

🎨 And learn more about what we do at @creativecounty by visiting creativecounty.org (or link in bio)

CCI Grantee Events happening this weekend! 📅 Visit the tagged grantees to learn more about attending their events!

1️⃣ Coka Mũciĩ by 2026 ALAANA Artist Grantee, @wangecigitau
Saturday, April 18 from 4-8pm
at @modstudios.ma

2️⃣ Homecoming by @luckyknotarts
Saturday, April 18 from 6-8pm
at 2026 Special Project Grantee, @urban.art.museum

3️⃣ Amesbury City Hall Circus by 2025-26 Partnership Grantee, @theaterintheopen
Saturday, April 18 from 11am-3pm
at Amesbury City Hall

🎨 And learn more about what we do at @creativecounty by visiting creativecounty.org (or link in bio)

CCI Grantee Events happening this weekend! 📅 Visit the tagged grantees to learn more about attending their events!

1️⃣ Coka Mũciĩ by 2026 ALAANA Artist Grantee, @wangecigitau
Saturday, April 18 from 4-8pm
at @modstudios.ma

2️⃣ Homecoming by @luckyknotarts
Saturday, April 18 from 6-8pm
at 2026 Special Project Grantee, @urban.art.museum

3️⃣ Amesbury City Hall Circus by 2025-26 Partnership Grantee, @theaterintheopen
Saturday, April 18 from 11am-3pm
at Amesbury City Hall

🎨 And learn more about what we do at @creativecounty by visiting creativecounty.org (or link in bio)

“This sixth group of ChangeMakers bring as much to the collective table as they will take away,” said Karen Ristuben, Program Director for Creative County, ECCF’s arts and culture initiative. “What they all share is a deep desire to connect with each other and to deepen their ability to serve their communities with arts and culture at the core.”

Links in bio:
-- Read the Press Release: www.eccf.org/blog/2026/03/12/residents-selected-for-eccfs-creative-county-changemakers-program/
-- Learn more about ChangeMakers: www.eccf.org/arts-and-culture/

Our February meetup brought together artists, cultural leaders, and creative professionals from across Essex County — and the conversation was one we all needed to have.

We covered three open Creative County grant programs (funds are limited), new Mass Cultural Council opportunities opening March 3, advocacy resources from NEFA, and the upcoming Institute for Trustees. Senator Lovely joined to encourage everyone to show up for Creative Sector Day at the State House on March 3.

The creative sector is navigating real economic pressure right now. But what keeps showing up in these conversations is a community building solutions together — new collaborations, ambitious projects, and people investing in each other.
That's what these meetups are for.

Catch the recording of this meetup and past sessions at vimeo.com/creativecounty

Full recap with all links and community events in our latest newsletter

Next meetup: Wednesday, March 11 at 9 AM on Zoom. Register at bit.ly/CCIMeetup

#EssexCountyCreates #CreativeCounty #ArtsAndCulture #EssexCountyArts #CreativeSectorDay #ArtsFunding #GrantsForArtists

Our February meetup brought together artists, cultural leaders, and creative professionals from across Essex County — and the conversation was one we all needed to have.

We covered three open Creative County grant programs (funds are limited), new Mass Cultural Council opportunities opening March 3, advocacy resources from NEFA, and the upcoming Institute for Trustees. Senator Lovely joined to encourage everyone to show up for Creative Sector Day at the State House on March 3.

The creative sector is navigating real economic pressure right now. But what keeps showing up in these conversations is a community building solutions together — new collaborations, ambitious projects, and people investing in each other.
That's what these meetups are for.

Catch the recording of this meetup and past sessions at vimeo.com/creativecounty

Full recap with all links and community events in our latest newsletter

Next meetup: Wednesday, March 11 at 9 AM on Zoom. Register at bit.ly/CCIMeetup

#EssexCountyCreates #CreativeCounty #ArtsAndCulture #EssexCountyArts #CreativeSectorDay #ArtsFunding #GrantsForArtists

Our February meetup brought together artists, cultural leaders, and creative professionals from across Essex County — and the conversation was one we all needed to have.

We covered three open Creative County grant programs (funds are limited), new Mass Cultural Council opportunities opening March 3, advocacy resources from NEFA, and the upcoming Institute for Trustees. Senator Lovely joined to encourage everyone to show up for Creative Sector Day at the State House on March 3.

The creative sector is navigating real economic pressure right now. But what keeps showing up in these conversations is a community building solutions together — new collaborations, ambitious projects, and people investing in each other.
That's what these meetups are for.

Catch the recording of this meetup and past sessions at vimeo.com/creativecounty

Full recap with all links and community events in our latest newsletter

Next meetup: Wednesday, March 11 at 9 AM on Zoom. Register at bit.ly/CCIMeetup

#EssexCountyCreates #CreativeCounty #ArtsAndCulture #EssexCountyArts #CreativeSectorDay #ArtsFunding #GrantsForArtists

Our February meetup brought together artists, cultural leaders, and creative professionals from across Essex County — and the conversation was one we all needed to have.

We covered three open Creative County grant programs (funds are limited), new Mass Cultural Council opportunities opening March 3, advocacy resources from NEFA, and the upcoming Institute for Trustees. Senator Lovely joined to encourage everyone to show up for Creative Sector Day at the State House on March 3.

The creative sector is navigating real economic pressure right now. But what keeps showing up in these conversations is a community building solutions together — new collaborations, ambitious projects, and people investing in each other.
That's what these meetups are for.

Catch the recording of this meetup and past sessions at vimeo.com/creativecounty

Full recap with all links and community events in our latest newsletter

Next meetup: Wednesday, March 11 at 9 AM on Zoom. Register at bit.ly/CCIMeetup

#EssexCountyCreates #CreativeCounty #ArtsAndCulture #EssexCountyArts #CreativeSectorDay #ArtsFunding #GrantsForArtists

Our February meetup brought together artists, cultural leaders, and creative professionals from across Essex County — and the conversation was one we all needed to have.

We covered three open Creative County grant programs (funds are limited), new Mass Cultural Council opportunities opening March 3, advocacy resources from NEFA, and the upcoming Institute for Trustees. Senator Lovely joined to encourage everyone to show up for Creative Sector Day at the State House on March 3.

The creative sector is navigating real economic pressure right now. But what keeps showing up in these conversations is a community building solutions together — new collaborations, ambitious projects, and people investing in each other.
That's what these meetups are for.

Catch the recording of this meetup and past sessions at vimeo.com/creativecounty

Full recap with all links and community events in our latest newsletter

Next meetup: Wednesday, March 11 at 9 AM on Zoom. Register at bit.ly/CCIMeetup

#EssexCountyCreates #CreativeCounty #ArtsAndCulture #EssexCountyArts #CreativeSectorDay #ArtsFunding #GrantsForArtists

Our February meetup brought together artists, cultural leaders, and creative professionals from across Essex County — and the conversation was one we all needed to have.

We covered three open Creative County grant programs (funds are limited), new Mass Cultural Council opportunities opening March 3, advocacy resources from NEFA, and the upcoming Institute for Trustees. Senator Lovely joined to encourage everyone to show up for Creative Sector Day at the State House on March 3.

The creative sector is navigating real economic pressure right now. But what keeps showing up in these conversations is a community building solutions together — new collaborations, ambitious projects, and people investing in each other.
That's what these meetups are for.

Catch the recording of this meetup and past sessions at vimeo.com/creativecounty

Full recap with all links and community events in our latest newsletter

Next meetup: Wednesday, March 11 at 9 AM on Zoom. Register at bit.ly/CCIMeetup

#EssexCountyCreates #CreativeCounty #ArtsAndCulture #EssexCountyArts #CreativeSectorDay #ArtsFunding #GrantsForArtists

Our February meetup brought together artists, cultural leaders, and creative professionals from across Essex County — and the conversation was one we all needed to have.

We covered three open Creative County grant programs (funds are limited), new Mass Cultural Council opportunities opening March 3, advocacy resources from NEFA, and the upcoming Institute for Trustees. Senator Lovely joined to encourage everyone to show up for Creative Sector Day at the State House on March 3.

The creative sector is navigating real economic pressure right now. But what keeps showing up in these conversations is a community building solutions together — new collaborations, ambitious projects, and people investing in each other.
That's what these meetups are for.

Catch the recording of this meetup and past sessions at vimeo.com/creativecounty

Full recap with all links and community events in our latest newsletter

Next meetup: Wednesday, March 11 at 9 AM on Zoom. Register at bit.ly/CCIMeetup

#EssexCountyCreates #CreativeCounty #ArtsAndCulture #EssexCountyArts #CreativeSectorDay #ArtsFunding #GrantsForArtists

DEADLINE EXTENDED ⌛ ChangeMakers is an immersive leadership support program that fosters participants’ roles as creative leaders, building a more inclusive and sustainable arts and culture ecosystem in Essex County.

Since 2021, @creativecounty & @essexcountycommunityfoundation has graduated 57 artists, nonprofit and municipal leaders from this 8-month-long program that includes facilitated and project-based learning, peer networking and leadership trainings. Rooted in a collaborative process of local and regional ecosystem building, ChangeMakers is connecting people with diverse perspectives and different backgrounds to grow a network of creative leaders that understand the importance and power of thinking regionally and strategically about the ecosystem.

📅 The 2026 ChangeMakers cohort will begin the program in March 2026. The application to participate is until extended to February 1st

📥 eccf.org/arts-and-culture (or link in bio)

💰 Up to $5,000 in grant funding for Essex County creatives opens this month.

Join us Tuesday, January 14th at 9AM for a free virtual info session where Karen and Sabrina will walk through all three 2026 Creative County grant programs:

✔️ ALAANA Artists Grant — Up to $5,000 for BIPOC/ALAANA artists
✔️ Special Project Grant — Up to $5,000 for innovative projects
✔️ Last Mile Fund — Up to $500 for professional development & supplies

Get your questions answered before applications open. Special consideration for projects addressing community challenges during the current moment.

🔗 Register free: bit.ly/CCIMeetup (link in bio)

#EssexCounty #CreativeCounty #ArtistsOfEssexCounty #GrantsForArtists #ArtFunding #BIPOC #ALAANAArtists

The Creative County Initiative (CCI) of ECCF will open its next round of grants in early January. The 3 grant programs opening will include:
- ALAANA Artist Grants
- Special Project Grants
- Last Mile Fund Grants

📅 Available on a rolling basis, but they do go fast!

🔗 For details, requirements, and applications, visit creativecounty.org/grants

APPLICATION NOW OPEN ⌛ChangeMakers is an immersive leadership support program that fosters participants’ roles as creative leaders, building a more inclusive and sustainable arts and culture ecosystem in Essex County.

Since 2021, @creativecounty & @essexcountycommunityfoundation has graduated 57 artists, nonprofit and municipal leaders from this 8-month-long program that includes facilitated and project-based learning, peer networking and leadership trainings. Rooted in a collaborative process of local and regional ecosystem building, ChangeMakers is connecting people with diverse perspectives and different backgrounds to grow a network of creative leaders that understand the importance and power of thinking regionally and strategically about the ecosystem.

📅 The 2026 ChangeMakers cohort will begin the program in March 2026. The application to participate is until January 15.

📥 eccf.org/arts-and-culture (or link in bio)