Anna VQ Ross (Poetry Fellow '18) writes poems that confront our current climate of apprehension and disconnection in an effort "to pierce it and understand it." In this audio clip, Ross reads her poem Almost a Mothering. She also discusses the poem's origin as well as the questions that drive her work. (Though Mass Cultural Council interviewed her long before the COVID-19 … [Read more...]
New Work New England
The New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) has announced an exciting new grant opportunity for New England performing artists: New Work New England. What does it fund? New performing arts work in New England. It awards grants of $7,500-$15,000 to support the creation of new work that has the potential to engage multiple New England communities. The program has a special … [Read more...]
Poet Jacob Strautmann: What Changes, What Doesn’t
On March 2, 2020, Jacob Strautmann (Poetry Fellow '18) launches his poetry collection The Land of the Dead Is Open for Business (Four Ways Books) at the Blacksmith House Poetry Series. In this audio clip, Strautmann reads his poem For as Long as it Lasts (and it will Last if Money can be Made). He also discusses the poem's origin as well as his upbringing "in the shadow of … [Read more...]
Announcing Awards in Drawing & Printmaking, Poetry, and Traditional Arts
Mass Cultural Council is proud to announce the 2020 Artist Fellowship awards in Drawing & Printmaking, Poetry, and Traditional Arts. The awards include 19 fellowships of $15,000, and 16 finalist awards of $1,500. See a list of this year's fellows and finalists, to date. The awards are anonymously judged, based solely on the artistic quality and creative ability of the … [Read more...]
Writers for Migrant Justice: Poetry Reading & Fundraiser in Boston
Boston-area poets and writers, including numerous past Mass Cultural Council awardees, will participate in Writers for Migrant Justice: Poetry Reading and Fundraiser. The event is part of a nationwide effort - including over 40 cities - to raise funds to support immigrant families and detained migrants, and it takes place at Arlington Street Church in Boston on Wednesday, … [Read more...]