On Thursday, March 13th, the Town of Franklin honored the FY2025 Grant Recipients of both the Franklin Cultural District and the Franklin Cultural Council, as well as the volunteers that help make these grants possible. The event took place at Dean College’s Guidrey Center. John Ristaino, Franklin Cultural Council’s Chair, emceed the event, highlighting cultural events and welcoming honorees to the stage, as well as Cori Shea, Franklin’s Director of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, who further highlighted the contributions of the arts community in town. 

Musician Jamie Barrett performed a set of original and cover tunes at the award ceremony.

In addition to accolades for the continued work of the members of the Franklin Cultural Council and the Franklin Cultural District Committee, the event placed special recognition on the following:

• Amy Adams, for her work for the Franklin Cultural District

• Sarah Cronin, for her work on the Franklin Cultural Council

• Lauren Kloos & Roger Trahan, for their work on the Franklin Farmers’ Market

• Brenna Johnson, Franklin HS Ceramics instructor and Empty Bowls Coordinator with Franklin Food Pantry

Attendees were treated to a drumming exercise led by Cultural Council grant recipient Kymberlee O’Brien, as well as musical performance by Jamie Barrett.

Cultural District Investment Grants through the Mass Cultural Council, Franklin Cultural District and the Town of Franklin. 

Mary MacMurray - Franklin Public Schools (JFK and Parmenter) Support music programs at the two schools in May 2025.

Mitzi Gousie - Franklin Public Library Host a concert by the Boston Typewriter Orchestra at Public Library, Saturday, April 12, 2025.

Lauren Kloos - Farmers Market Provide entertainment at the weekly Farmers Market on Fridays, from June through October on the Town Common.

Sue Sheridan - FAA and FHM creating an exhibit “Fakes and Forgeries” for the Historical Museum June 7 to June 22, 2025.

Diane Plouffe - Franklin High School Music Student A0ccess to quality string Instruments, future date.

Caleigh Keating - Franklin Public Library Funding for the Blackstone Valley quartet performing music of Taylor Swift, Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Public Library.

Meg Hagen - Children’s Museum of Franklin, Supporting Mural Project in their new space; future date.

Alan Earls/Franklin Historical Museum - Historic Museum Ben Franklin Month celebration January 2025

Franklin School for the Performing Arts - Support funds for programs.

LQBTQ Alliance, Outdoor Festival, Celebrating Pride month, June 2025

All grantees received a portion of funding made possible by the generous Cultural District Investment Grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

2025 Franklin Cultural Council Grants/LCC Grants

Children’s Museum of Franklin, MakerSpace Exhibit Area - Tables and Stools

Franklin Art Association, Inc., Guest Artist Demonstration

Franklin Farmers Market, Farmers Market Performances

Franklin July 4th Coalition Inc., 2025 Franklin July 4th Celebration

Franklin Performing Arts Company, Inc., FPAC Family Concert Series

Franklin Public Library, Ben Franklin Book Week Kickoff Concert

Franklin Public Library, Irish in America

Franklin Public Library, Holi Celebration

Homebrewed Theatre Company, Homebrewed Theatre Company Winter Strange Shorts

Horace Mann Middle School, Visiting Author

Brenna Johnson, The Empty Bowls - A 10 Year Celebration!

LiveARTS, The 2024-25 LiveARTS Concert Series

MUSIC Dance.edu, Hip Hop Chair Dance for Seniors! - a dance series

Kymberlee O’Brien, Brain Fitness Across Multiple Domains

Southeastern Massachusetts Community Wind Symphony, Inc., Band Concert

Temple Beth Torah, Lily Henley and Duncan Wickel in Concert

Town of Franklin, “Where’s The Toast” Memory Café

Zammarchi, Robert, Elijah T. Grasshopper & Friends

Alan Earls, Second Annual Ben Franklin Book Week

Swati Rao, Navratri/Garba/Dandiya Raas