Providing resources to support artists and organizations in presenting their projects at the Jean McDonough Arts Center. 2026 application process will open on October 1.

The Jean McDonough Arts Center, in partnership with Greater Worcester Community Foundation, and thanks to the support of the Barr Foundation, is pleased to announce the JMAC Access Grant Program for 2026.

The JMAC strives to ensure that every cultural organization, large and small, can have a home in downtown Worcester. Through the Access Grant Program, we are able to provide selected cultural organizations and individual artists/creatives with the resources needed to share their stories and programs openly with Central Massachusetts audiences. The JMAC has proven to be a critical cultural home and convening space – especially for Worcester’s historically marginalized communities and underserved artists – by helping organizations and artists create new work, generate income, and positively impact their community.

Through a three-phase application process, organizations and artists can apply for financial support to present their projects at the JMAC in the near future. The grant covers project development, implementation and marketing costs incurred by the organizations and artists, as well as the usage costs of the JMAC space desired for the project.

Application Timeline

Application Round 1: Letter of Intent

Prep for Round 2: JMAC Collaboration

Application Round 2: Project Narrative in Detail

Awardees will be notified by Friday, February 27, 2026. Awardees will have until Tuesday, March 31, 2026, to formally book their event on the JMAC calendar, after which grants payments will be issued.

Selection Criteria

General Criteria

Selection Priority (in order)

Geographic Priority (in order)

About the Application Process

About the Budget Process

Budget submissions must include both creative discretionary costs and JMAC usage costs. Applicants should use the following figures to develop their creative discretionary and space usage plans. 

JMAC Space

JMAC Cost

(paid to venue)

Maximum Creative Cost (paid to grantee)
Worcester PopUp – One Day or Per Day (for program series)$ 2,500$ 1,075
Worcester PopUp – One Week$ 3,500$ 1,500
BrickBox Theater – ½ Day (6 Hours)$ 3,750$ 1,600
BrickBox Theater – Full Day (Up to 12 Hours)$ 6,250$ 2,675
BrickBox Theater – Two Days$ 8,750$ 3,750
BrickBox Theater – Four Days$ 14,250$ 6,100
Rehearsal Space – One Day or Per Day$ 2,500$ 1,075

Budget Process Notes: 

  1. JMAC costs include space usage, usage of installed technical equipment, and basic staff support for usage.
  2. Depending on the scale of the project, applicants may want or need to supplement their discretionary budget with other sources of income.
  3. When grants are paid, recipients will receive direct payment for their discretionary expenses. Concurrently, the JMAC will receive payment for their rental and usage expenses.
  4. Ticketed events taking place in BrickBox Theater must use the JMAC’s online platform. There is a fee for usage, after which ticket revenue will be passed on to the presenter. After the event, the organization or individual will be provided with a roster of all ticket buyers, including their contact information.