Press Release: 7/24/2026

Community Foundation Announces Capacity-Building Investment to Support Local Artists

 

Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts is proud to announce the distribution of $37,500 in Capacity-Building Grants to 15 artists, part of a broader $83,000 investment that includes coaching, capacity-building, workshops, and community gathering opportunities. The artists awarded work across multiple disciplines and represent the creative life of Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties.  

This grant opportunity is funded by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts’ ValleyCreates Program and administered by Assets for Artists (A4A), marking this the sixth year of collaboration between the two organizations since 2020.  

“Our Capacity-Building Program continues to reflect our shared commitment to supporting brilliant artists living and working here,” said Community Foundation CEO Megan Burke. “At a time when support for the arts is increasingly uncertain, we believe it’s more important than ever before to invest directly in our local artists. This partnership results from our shared commitment to ensure that creative lives have reliable support, no matter what is happening elsewhere.” 

The investment in arts and culture continues the Community Foundation’s long-standing commitment to provide individualized, artist-centered professional development to help artists strengthen their creative practice, pursue values-driven careers, and build mutually supportive networks, in addition to receiving a $2,500 grant. All together, these capacity-building components help artists achieve long-term sustainability. This approach stems from the belief that artists play a vital role in civic engagement and cultural life, serve as essential connectors within their communities, and contribute to the region’s collective economic capacity.  

Chosen by a panel of artists and arts administrators, the grantees include artists working in visual arts, theater, music, dance, writing, and multidisciplinary practices. They have been evaluated according to the strength and dedication to their artistic practice, the clarity of their goals and growth, and a demonstration of how they hope to benefit from the program.  

To support the Community Foundation’s ValleyCreates program, visit communityfoundation.org/ValleyCreatesGiving

The artists taking part in the 2026 Capacity-Building Cohort are: 

A U R, Springfield  

Gri Martinez Saex, Springfield 

Julieth Cabral, Wilbraham 

Taija New, Chicopee 

Talysha Rivera, Springfield 

Camille Asia, Northampton 

Elayna Jason, Northampton 

Francesca Baron, Northampton 

Tableek, South Hadley 

Kalyani Kastor, Hadley 

Patric Madden / Dame Judi Dentures, Northampton 

Sabine Denise Jacques, Amherst 

Vivian Gay, Plainfield 

María Sparrow, Buckland 

Tony(a) Lemos, Conway