The community can expect a wide range of local creative events and projects in the coming year, as the Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture (ACAC) has announced its 2026 grant recipients.
A total of $23,000 has been distributed to support 26 different artistic endeavors. From neighborhood porches, to public libraries, to vibrant murals; these grants will help fund a dynamic slate of projects that reflect the depth, diversity, and creative spirit of Arlington.
The commission closed submissions for the 2026 grant awards in October 2025 — according to a recent press release, more than 50 projects and events were submitted for consideration. The commission was seeking proposals that aimed to bring the Arlington community together.
The awarded recipients applied to receive grants of up to $1,500 each to help fund their work. According to the ACAC, this year the funding is supporting musical events, film and literature, public art and storytelling, and community conversation.
A complete list of the 26 recipients, along with the award the project received, is available below:
| Project Title | Amount |
|---|---|
| Menotomy Beer Hall Music Program | $750 |
| Arlington Author Salon: free quarterly readings and performance arts | $1,000 |
| Arlington Porchfest 2026: Expanding Access | $800 |
| Mystic Fish: Celebrating Clean Water, Healthy Ecosystems, Creativity, & Vibrant Community | $1,000 |
| Free Arts Programing for the Arlington Housing Residents | $1,000 |
| Emerging Artists at Arlington Jazz Festival | $900 |
| Belmont World Film’s 23rd Family Festival | $900 |
| Arlington Community Barn Dance | $1,000 |
| I Rise: Women in Song | $1,200 |
| Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration with the Red Hawk Singers and Dancers | $1,000 |
| An Arabic Dance Show | $500 |
| First Parish Presents a Concert + Conversation with The Opening Doors Project | $1,200 |
| The Polka Dot Playground | $450 |
| One World | $750 |
| The Stories in Flight | $1,000 |
| Arlington Philharmonic Orchestra Concert: “Armenia” | $1,000 |
| Arlington Capoeira & Arts Encounter | $1,000 |
| Lou Jones: panAFRICAproject | $750 |
| Woyaya (We Will Get There): Sharing A New Song Chorus Concert and Workshop | $1,200 |
| Global Voices in Verse: Celebrating Global Poets and languages | $1,200 |
| Bridging Minds: Science Talks for Everyone | $750 |
| Write Your Own Obituary (Before Someone Else Does It Badly) | $271 |
| What Goes Into That Pint Glass? A Documentary | $1,000 |
| The Screenless Project: Creating together across languages | $575 |
| Stories of hunger, housing, and health | $1,100 |
| The Sound of Her Roots | $1,000 |
The funding for these projects comes from the Local Cultural Council program of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, which awards $7.5 million annually to support arts and culture across the Commonwealth.
This report, published on March 4, 2026, used information supplied by the Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture.
