The Lakeville Arts Council approved a slate of local cultural grants at its Nov. 10 meeting, prioritizing projects that secured local venues and directly serve Lakeville residents while declining several out-of-town applications that did not show confirmed local locations.

Council members began by approving two sets of minutes from Sept. 23 and Sept. 2 before moving into grant decisions. The council voted to approve a block of Lakeville library programs and a children's festival application, with one member indicating a recusal for an item where she had a conflict of interest.

Rita Parisi’s one-act play “I Am Zelda,” proposed for the Lakeville Council on Aging, was approved after members reviewed a venue-approval letter. The Lakeville Historical Society received funding for two programs, “American Art Explored” and “Abigail Adams and Daughters of Liberty,” and the Lakeville Garden Club’s seventh annual "Book Art in Bloom" was also awarded its requested grant.

The council discussed Ted Williams Camp’s Music in the Pines request and members expressed concern about committing the same full amount year after year, recommending the group seek sponsorships for future sustainability. Despite the concern, the council approved the full amount for that year.

When the council turned to several neighboring-town applications that would take place largely outside Lakeville, members emphasized the council’s obligation to prioritize town residents and reminded applicants that Massachusetts Cultural Council guidance requires applicants to secure venues before a local council awards grants. With a very small remaining balance in the grant fund (about $18.34), the council decided to fully fund Andrea Lovett’s Once Upon a Generation project (requested $1,200) and split the limited remainder roughly equally between Sol Homestead Educational Center’s Sheep Day and the Mayflower Chamber Orchestra’s Classic Masters presentations (approximately $317 each).

The council then moved to decline 11 remaining out-of-town applications — including Beantown’s Baroque, regional theater and festival programs, and other events performed primarily in neighboring towns — citing lack of secured local venues and the council’s responsibility to allocate the town’s share of funds to Lakeville-based or Lakeville-serving activities.

Actions taken at the meeting were procedural and funding decisions only; no binding changes to grant program rules were adopted. The council closed the meeting after confirming the approved grants and next steps for notifying applicants.