Mass. Gives Monetary Boost To Cultural Groups

Despite the talk of budget cuts on Beacon Hill, 85 cultural organizations have been given a financial boost by the state.

The Massachusetts Cultural Council and MassDevelopment are distributing $12 million in grants.

The money is for building upgrades and renovations at dozens of sites, including the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, the Mudflatt Pottery School in Somerville and the Worcester Art Museum.

Museum Director Jim Welu says the $310,000 grant will pay for a new lecture hall and comes at a time when their endowment is down about 30 percent.

"It doesn't take the pinch off completely, but it was really wonderful because it does help us to leverage our programs," Welu explained.

The Massachusetts Cultural Council announced the grants a day after the Senate budget proposed to cut the agency's funding by 57 percent.