Recognition of Significant Accomplishment

Dec 4, 2017 

To: Franklin Cultural District Committee, Jeff Nutting, Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen, Deputy Town Administrator

CC: Bryan Taberner, Director, Planning and Community Development, Representative Jeffrey Roy

From: Franklin Cultural Steering Committee

RE: Recognition of Significant Accomplishment

We want to take a moment to recognize the significant accomplishment that has occurred over the past several years. What started as an idea for a cultural district was nurtured, tended to, and brought to reality through hours of dedicated service by numerous individuals. It began on November 21, 2013 when several of us, joined town and school officials, Ms. Anita Walker, Executive Director of the Mass Cultural Council, and Jeff Roy, State Representative, on a tour of the high school (which was under construction) and the downtown area, including THE BLACK BOX (also under construction). During this tour, the seeds of the proposed cultural district were planted.

We set out to create a Cultural District, conduct a Cultural Festival to showcase the wealth of cultural assets in Franklin, and prepare an application for Cultural District status for the town. We did this work over the past four years. The Franklin Cultural Festival began in July 2015, highlighting the visual, culinary, performing arts, music, dance, and the talents of the many individuals and organizations within Franklin. The Festivals continued in 2016 and 2017 demonstrating the importance of cultural events and encouraged the inclusion of the arts within other town events. By way of example, the Franklin Downtown Partnership has consistently elevated its inclusion of the fine and performing arts within its community events.

The seven member Franklin Cultural District Committee was formally approved by the Town Council on Wednesday, Nov 29, 2017 by unanimous vote. The formal application for Cultural District status can now be submitted.

The Cultural District Steering Committee, which brought this to fruition, has achieved this through much hard work, many hours of planning, collaborating, and executing. We want to thank the Town leadership, Franklin businesses, and institutions, and the numerous individuals and organizations that helped to advance Franklin along the pathway to Cultural District status.

Our work as a Cultural District Steering Committee and as the coordinator of the Cultural Festival is complete.

Sincerely,

Pandora Carlucci
Alan Mercer
Jim Schultz
Susan Sheridan
Steve Sherlock
Roberta Trahan


PDF version of this letter can be found here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v1DvlJpoHOXSb_jGm9fad92R66v1Gnlo/view?usp=sharing

Reminder: New England Irish Harp Orchestra - Dec 10

New England Irish Harp Orchestra will share a wonderful medley of Holiday music that will put you in the perfect mood for the season!

Sunday, December 10 - 7:00 pm

St. John’s Episcopal Church 
237 Pleasant Street Franklin, MA 

Tickets $10 (payable at the door) 

FREE  With Dean College ID 

Transportation provided call (781) 708-1327 

New England Irish Harp Orchestra - Dec 10

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Winterbloom show CANCELLED

Our Dec 9th Winterbloom holiday show has been CANCELLED.

View this email in your browser WINTERBLOOM CANCELLED Dec 9th 8PM  Several Winterbloom performers have recently experienced medical problems that have caused them to cancel their tour this year.  All previously purchased tickets will be refunded this week. Also, the Gretchen Peters show has been moved to April 7th and Danielle Miraglia will perform on Jan 6th. We are very sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause. Upcoming Shows Jan 6         Danielle Miraglia Jan 27       Seth Glier Feb 10       Chelsea Berry Mar 3         Patty Larkin Mar 17       The Lonely Heartstring Band Apr 7         Gretchen Peters Apr 28       Pat Donohue

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse · First Universalist Society · 262 Chestnut St · Franklin, MA 02038 · USA

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse: Winterbloom show CANCELLED

Franklin Cultural Council to Partner With Spring 2018 ArtWeek Festival

The Franklin Cultural Council (FCC) announced today that it has been named a collaborator for the upcoming ArtWeek festival happening April 27 – May 6, 2018. Applications for the festival are now available at artweekma.org. The early bird deadline to submit an ArtWeek event is January 8, 2018 and the final deadline is February 28, 2018.

ArtWeek is an award-winning innovative festival featuring hundreds of unique and creative experiences that are hands-on, interactive or offer behind-the-scenes access to arts, culture, and the creative process. Now an annual statewide festival, ArtWeek was born in Boston in 2013 and recently expanded its footprint across the Commonwealth.

"Franklin has one of the most vibrant arts scenes in MetroWest," says FCC Chair Stacey David. "Our role as a collaborator is to help artists, performers and venues partner together to create a really memorable ArtWeek festival showcasing their amazing talent and resources to the rest of the region. We are pleased to announce that the Franklin Public Library, Rec Department, Franklin Arts Academy at the high school, and many more organizations will be offering unique ArtWeek programs."

Presented by Highland Street Foundation and produced by the Boch Center, ArtWeek offers new ways to experience art, culture, and creativity. This year, Mass Cultural Council and the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism have joined ArtWeek as Lead Champions in this unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on the state’s creative economy.

“We are thrilled to have organizations like the Franklin Cultural Council partnering with ArtWeek this season,” said Josiah A. Spaulding, Jr., President & CEO of the Boch Center. “ArtWeek is an innovative festival that works to spotlight how the creative economy is thriving in Massachusetts. Each year ArtWeek showcases unique experiences spanning dance, fashion, media arts, spoken-word, poetry, writing, culinary, visual arts, music, opera, theater, design, film, and more. And the best part is that many of the events are free, making it affordable and accessible to everyone!”

The Franklin Cultural Council is offering ArtWeek grants of up to $250 each for programs that are offered free of charge to the public. Grant applications are open now, and close Jan. 9, 2018. If you are an interested artist, educator, performer or venue that would like help creating an ArtWeek event, or for information on ArtWeek grants, please email FCC Chair Stacey David at franklinculturalcouncil02038@gmail.com.

For more information on ArtWeek, visit www.artweekma.org.

Franklin Cultural Council to Partner With Spring 2018 Artweek Festival

About the Franklin Cultural Council — The mission of the Franklin Cultural Council (FCC) is to encourage participation and enhance opportunities for enrichment in the cultural arts and sciences throughout our community. Comprised of committed residents, the FCC meets monthly with the purpose of supporting events and programs through grants from the Town of Franklin, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

FPAC presents The Nutcracker - Sat Dec 2 - Sun Dec 3

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) performs Tchaikovsky’s timeless ballet The Nutcracker. FPAC invites audiences to fall under Drosselmeyer’s dreamy spell and join Clara and her Nutcracker Prince on a journey full of surprises and wonder.

The Nutcracker remains a highly anticipated and treasured part of the FPAC season – a popular holiday tradition for more than 20 years. Set to Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, the world-famous ballet delights the imaginations of audiences of all ages with festive magic and colorful splendor. FPAC’s production is presented with professional orchestra, special guest artists, and more than 100 area dancers.

FPAC presents The Nutcracker on Saturday, December 2 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, December 3 at 2 PM at the Franklin High School auditorium, located at 218 Oak Street. Middlesex Savings Bank is The Nutcracker 2017 Production Sponsor.

Tickets are $32-$36. For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or www.FPAConline.com or call (508) 528-3370.

FPAC performs The Nutcracker Dec 2-3