Code of Massachusetts Regulations 962 CMR - MASS. ARTS LOTTERY COUNCIL
Here's an overview of 962 CMR – Massachusetts Arts Lottery Council, specifically Title 962 CMR 2.00, which governs Local and Regional Cultural Council (LCC) operations:
🧭 Scope & Purpose (962 CMR 2.00)
Establishes requirements for local and regional cultural councils to manage public grants and ensure fair community support programs for arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences. (mass.gov)
1. Purpose of LCCs (§ 2.02)
Support public programs promoting access, education, diversity, and excellence in cultural fields.
Delegate authority to local councils to award grants based on community-specific priorities, in line with state policies. (law.cornell.edu)
2. Cultural Access (§ 2.03)
Emphasizes serving underserved groups: racial/ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, women, those in rural/low‑income areas.
Encourages prioritizing projects that address these audiences. (mass.gov)
3. Council Establishment (§ 2.04)
LCCs must consist of 5–22 appointed members with interest or experience in the arts, humanities, or interpretive sciences.
Members serve three-year terms, with a maximum of two consecutive terms (6 years), then must rotate off for one year.
Leadership roles (chair, secretary, treasurer) are elected annually; terms should be staggered to maintain continuity. (mass.gov)
4. Fund Management (§ 2.05)
All funds—state allocations, local funds, and accrued interest—are maintained in a municipal revolving account, separate from other city/town funds.
Spending of state funds requires compliance with municipal withdrawal processes.
Locally raised funds and interest can be spent at council discretion on arts-related activities, without prior approval from the state MCC.
State funds can't be retained indefinitely; unspent amounts must be regranted or reported within the MCC’s funding cycle. (regulations.justia.com)
5. Duties (§ 2.07) & Grant Procedures (§ 2.09)
Councils must:
Solicit community input and assess local cultural needs.
Establish grant-review priorities and procedures.
Review and recommend applications.
Report to the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Use state-provided application forms and maintain transparent processes.
Submit approved grants to the MCC for final certification before payment distribution. (mass.gov, fairhaven-ma.gov)
6. Optional Powers (§ 2.08)
LCCs can:
Fundraise on their own (aside from state funds).
Launch council-originated projects, applying for MCC approval when needed.
Any revenue earned must be managed in the same municipal account. (mass.gov)
7. Compliance & Oversight (§ 2.10)
Councils are required to follow open meeting laws and conflict-of-interest rules under Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c. 268A).
Violations may lead to MCC interventions: suspension of funding, required corrective actions, or member removal by appointing authorities. (archives.lib.state.ma.us, fairhaven-ma.gov)
✅ In Summary
962 CMR 2.00 provides a comprehensive regulatory framework ensuring that local arts councils in Massachusetts:
Operate democratically and transparently,
Equitably serve diverse community needs,
Handle and distribute funds responsibly,
Maintain compliance with legal and ethical standards.
Council members, administrators, and community stakeholders should refer to the full PDF on Mass.gov for detailed procedures, forms, and official guidelines. (mass.gov, mass.gov)
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