New Bedford Creative Grant Programs Now Accepting 2026 Applications

New Bedford Creative Grant Programs Now Accepting 2026 Applications

NEW BEDFORD, MA — New Bedford Creative has officially opened applications for its 2026 grant cycle, inviting residents to turn bold ideas into reality. 

The two signature programs, Art is Everywhere! and Wicked Cool Places, provide opportunities for artists, entrepreneurs, community groups, and organizations to shape the city’s cultural future. Both initiatives are designed to strengthen New Bedford’s identity while empowering residents to enliven neighborhoods, inspire growth, and foster community pride.

New Moon Dance Party is one of those groups, and they write, “Support from Wicked Cool Places allowed New Moon to unapologetically focus on programming that is artistically fresh, culturally relevant, and socially valuable to the New Bedford community.”

Art Is Everywhere! supports projects that address pressing issues faced by New Bedford’s residents, visitors, and businesses. Launched in 2020, projects focus on inventive ways to use arts, culture, or creative approaches to deliver meaningful solutions in the city’s neighborhoods.

“The Art Is Everywhere! Grant directly supported the continuation and growth of Arts in the Park, allowing our department to provide free, high-quality arts and nature programming for youth and families throughout the spring,” said Isidro Thomas, Out of School Time and Event Coordinator. “For the community of New Bedford, the project created accessible spaces for creativity, learning, and connection with nature.” 

Wicked Cool Places supports projects that create or sustain vibrant, welcoming spaces that attract activity and foster community involvement, benefiting New Bedford’s neighborhoods.This program helps create welcoming environments for both residents and visitors, reinforcing the city’s reputation as a hub of creativity and cultural vitality.

“The Wicked Cool Places grant provided vital support that allowed Dream Out Loud Center to expand the New Bedford YOUth LIVE podcast project and offer youth a professional, creative experience that would not have been possible otherwise,” said executive director Tracy Furtado-Chagas. “With this funding, we were able to host workshops at our Kilburn Mill center, provide access to professional recording environments at New Bedford Cable Access, and connect students with established local artists.”

Grant Awards & Eligibility

Grant awards range from $1,500 to $10,000, making them accessible to projects of all sizes. Funding can cover materials, project expenses, operations, staffing, and more. Eligible applicants include individuals, nonprofits, community organizations, and for-profit businesses – all united by a commitment to enhancing New Bedford’s cultural landscape.

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by an independent committee of New Bedford residents and community representatives. Proposals will be evaluated for quality, community impact, partnerships, planning, and budget strength. Applicants should clearly demonstrate how their work advances the goals of Art is Everywhere! or Wicked Cool Places while enriching the city’s cultural scene.

Meet the Leaders

Margo Saulnier and Hendrick Hernandez-Resto of New Bedford Creative at the New Bedford Economic Development Council, are leading a Peer-to-Peer Session providing useful instruction to grant applicants. “Get Funded: 2026 New Bedford Creative Grant Programs” will be posted to New Bedford Creative’s YouTube page for guidance.

These grant programs are made possible by funding from the City of New Bedford’s Arts, Culture, and Tourism Fund, with additional support from Bristol County Savings Bank, Leonard & Hilda Kaplan Charitable Foundation, Mass Cultural Council, Schrafft Charitable Trust, and SouthCoast Community Foundation. Applications must be submitted through New Bedford Creative’s online portal by 11:59pm on November 10. For details and to apply, visit www.newbedfordcreative.org.

About New Bedford Creative at the NBEDC

New Bedford Creative is a program of the New Bedford Economic Development Council (NBEDC), a nonprofit organization with a mission to cultivate and promote a transparent, credible, and business-friendly environment. New Bedford Creative is specifically tasked with implementing the City of New Bedford’s first-ever strategic arts and culture plan, with the vision that “In New Bedford, the creative community is an engaged and powerful partner, inspiring social, economic, and cultural growth. In this authentic seaport city, each and every person enjoys an opportunity to experience a diversity of cultures. Art is everywhere, encouraging fun, provoking thought, and nurturing the soul.”

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