COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
MASSACHUSETTS SENATE
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON 02133
Senator Joan B. Lovely
State Senator
2nd Essex District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 13, 2024
Local artists receive MCC Creative Individuals grants
$5,000 grants will go toward supporting their creative work
(BOSTON—3/13/2025) Senate Assistant Majority Leader Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem) is pleased to announce that several artists from the Second Essex District have been awarded grants through the Mass Cultural Council’s FY25 Grants for Creative Individuals program.
“I am thrilled that this diverse group of talented individuals from Salem, Beverly, and Peabody have been recognized for their contributions to our communities with these awards,” said Senator Lovely. “The arts and culture sector is vital to creating vibrant communities and strengthening our local economies. I look forward to seeing the endeavors that each of these individuals embarks on with these resources.”
Award recipients from the Second Essex District include:
- Salem: Gabrielle Aquino (Folk/Traditional Arts), James Bostick (Photography), Sabrina Levin (Design Arts), Rachel TonThat (Multidisciplinary)
- Beverly: Levi Cyr-Redcross (Photography), January Gill O’Neil (Literature), Bruce Orr (Community-based Arts)
- Peabody: On-kyeong Seong (Visual Arts)
This year, the Council invested $2.2 million in 447 Massachusetts residents, with each recipient receiving an unrestricted $5,000 grant to support their creative work.
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