The Needham Arts and Culture Council asked the Needham Finance Committee on Dec. 3 for a $26,350 FY27 allocation to expand grant capacity and establish a dedicated maintenance fund for the town’s public art.

“This year, the council is requesting fiscal year 27 allocation of $26,350,” said Abby Bernstein, chair of the council. She told the committee that the request is an $8,050 increase over the council’s current funding level, consisting of a $7,000 boost to granting capacity and a $1,050 annual maintenance fund specifically earmarked for public-art upkeep.

Bernstein said town grant demand has climbed while federal pandemic-era ARPA funding that helped cover capital costs is no longer available. “Without the ARPA funding, it's necessary for us to set aside $7,500 of our town allocation to match the Grossman Company's grant for this project,” she said, arguing that the change reduced the council’s effective grant-making capacity.

The presentation included data from the council’s FY26 cycle showing a sharp increase in applications and unmet need: Bernstein said applications rose 32% since FY24 to a record 50, the average request grew roughly 13%, and the denial rate climbed to about 42% in FY26. That combination, she said, forced the council to deny or partially fund many otherwise meritorious proposals.

On maintenance, Bernstein described recent damage to a mural that would cost an estimated $1,100–$1,600 to repair and said ad hoc volunteer repairs are no longer sustainable. She proposed an annually renewable, use-it-or-lose-it $1,050 line that would fund routine upkeep and be returned to the town if unused.

Committee members pressed the council for comparisons with peer towns and for details about fundraising. Bernstein said the council can pursue private fundraising and will be instituting a fundraising arm; she also stressed that the council prioritizes Needham-based events and that grantees must report attendance and program metrics after their events.

The Finance Committee took the request under advisement and asked the council to provide comparative allocations from nearby communities and more detail on fundraising plans and grant-line budgets.

The Finance Committee will continue its FY27 budget hearings at its next meeting on Dec. 10.