The Marblehead Cultural Council is showcasing results from its 2026 grant cycle. These funds annually support community cultural, artistic, scientific and historical programs. The Marblehead Cultural Council is one of 329 local organizations funded directly by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
AgeSpan Inc. and residents of the Marblehead Housing Authority’s Farrell Court were granted funds for a communal mural project to revitalize concrete planters in the common green space. The Farrell Court apartments provide supportive housing for low-income Marblehead residents over age 60 and individuals under 60 with a disability.
Local artist and educator Sarah Scoville spearheaded the project. In recent years, she has been a mural artist specializing in collaborative design for public and private projects. Scoville facilitated design sessions with residents, who envisioned using the opportunity to enliven their communal outdoor space. SPUR, a local service organization, assisted by repairing and prepping the planters for painting, using volunteer labor to eliminate a large portion of project expenses.
“Bringing color, fun and joy to forgotten spaces is what I love to do as an artist,” Scoville said. “I’m glad to be a part of the collaborative team that created the Farrell Court murals.”
The following grants have also created community experiences for Marblehead residents:
- Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary presented a nature and bird-watching walking tour at Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Marblehead Museum and Historical Society Inc. was granted funds to support the inaugural, semi-permanent (3-plus years) exhibit at the Jeremiah Lee Brick Kitchen & Slave Quarters building.
- The Marblehead Festival of Arts grant supports the live music portion of the festival, where more than 20 bands will be showcased at Crocker Park over four days.
- Salem Sound 2000 Inc./Salem Sound Coastwatch continues to bring hands-on marine science education to Marblehead through its School to Sea program at the Marblehead Community Center and Abbot Public Library.
- From April through September, a four-part public history lecture series on “Heroic Revolutionary Captains from Marblehead” is being presented by Marblehead Town Historian Don Doliber.
- Lanes Coven Theater, in collaboration with the Marblehead High School English Department, held in-class workshops with freshmen studying “Romeo & Juliet.” They also presented an abbreviated version of the play in the auditorium for the freshman class.
- Friends of North Shore Children’s Museum Inc. offered several free-day admissions for Marblehead residents.
To learn more, contact the MCC at marbleheadclturalcouncil@gmail.com
