Senator Frederick E. Berry (D-Peabody) announced today that a total of $302,942 in state funds has been granted to not-for-profit organizations in his district by the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC). Senator Berry said the funds will support a variety of cultural activities in the area. The announcement was made as part of a statewide granting program by the MCC.

"I am pleased that state funds will be used for such important programs and proud of the organizations in my district who have submitted successful proposals to the Massachusetts Cultural Council," said Senator Berry. "In times like these, when arts and culture are invoked to commemorate celebrations as well as sadness, we must remember how vitally important they are to our communities."

Education Partnership Initiative supports partnerships that promote systemic and structural changes in the way a community's schools teach the arts, humanities and/or sciences. Partnerships often include cultural organizations, artists, community groups and schools. This award will be given to:

Organizational Support Program funds organizations with track records of excellence in cultural programming and public service from across the Commonwealth. The money is unrestricted and meant for general operating support. This program will fund:

Essex National Heritage Commission, Salem ($9,380) Express Yourself, Inc., Peabody ($10,170) House of the Seven Gables Historic Site, Salem ($2,000) Massachusetts High School Drama Guild, Peabody ($8,690) Montserrat College of Art Gallery, Beverly ($6,570) North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly ($77,440) Peabody Essex Museum, Salem ($100,190) Salem Access Television Corporation, Salem ($10,480) Salem State College Foundation, Inc., Salem ($2,020)

The Youthreach Initiative funds arts organizations and other not-for-profit community groups that are providing in-depth, out-of-school arts programs for young people in need. This initiative will fund:

Express Yourself, Inc., Peabody ($20,000) Salem Access Television Corporation, Salem ($22,000)

The Massachusetts Cultural Council is a state agency that provides grants to organizations, communities, schools and artists through a variety of annual funding programs. To learn more about programs and services offered by MCC, call 800-232-0960 or log on to the MCC web site, www.massculturalcouncil.org.