WCCA TV News and Information Round Up: October 5, 2015

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Myles & C. Jean McDonough Foundation Announces More than $15 Million in Commitments
to Seven Leading Cultural Institutions in Worcester and Central Massachusetts

WORCESTER, MASS. – The McDonough family, on behalf of the Myles & C. Jean McDonough
Foundation, is pleased to announce $15.25 million in commitments to seven leading
cultural institutions in Worcester and central Massachusetts. In a sweeping
philanthropic act that will have profound and lasting benefits to Worcester and surrounding
communities, the commitment will be used to support initiatives at the American Antiquarian Society,EcoTarium, The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, Music Worcester, Tower Hill
Botanic Garden, Worcester Art Museum, and Worcester Historical Museum.
C. Jean McDonough and her late husband Myles, founder of Spencer, Mass. manufacturer
FLEXcon, have shown their passion for these seven institutions for decades, through
philanthropic generosity and direct involvement. “These extraordinary institutions
have long been a part of the cultural heart of central Massachusetts. We felt the
time was right to present each with a gift to show our continued adoration of the
role each plays in our community, with the desire to support their initiatives for
years to come,” said C. Jean McDonough. “Worcester takes great pride in our cultural institutions and in the city’s support of all things creative and historic. These organizations are the lifeblood of the heart of the Commonwealth,” said City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr. “This gift is perhaps the biggest to the Worcester cultural community this century, if not
of all time. I’m so grateful to the McDonough family for its overwhelming support
of these vital pillars of our community.”Representing some of the oldest and largest cultural organizations in central Massachusetts,the seven institutions combined represent more than 850 years of serving the Worcester community and attract nearly 580,000 visitors each year. The impact of this gift to central Massachusetts in providing communities the opportunity to engage with culture in science, nature, art, music, performing arts and history, will be far
reaching for decades to come. The Myles & C. Jean McDonough Foundation gifts were committed as follows:

* $4 million to the American Antiquarian Society (AAS). Founded in 1812 by
Revolutionary War patriot and printer Isaiah Thomas, the American Antiquarian
Society is both a learned society and a major independent research library.
The AAS library today houses the largest and most accessible collection of
books, pamphlets, broadsides, newspapers, periodicals, music, and graphic
arts material printed through 1876 in what is now the United States, as well
as manuscripts and a substantial collection of secondary texts, bibliographies,
and digital resources and reference works related to all aspects of American
history and culture before the twentieth century. AAS was presented with the
National Humanities Medal by President Obama in a ceremony at the White House,
the only research library to ever receive such an award.

* $4 million to the Worcester Art Museum (WAM).Founded in 1896, the Worcester
Art Museum’s encyclopedic 38,000 piece collection covers fifty one centuries
of art.Highlights include the Medieval Chapter House, Renaissance Court, and
Worcester Hunt Mosaic, as well as the recently acquired John Woodman Higgins
Armory Collection of arms and armor. Internationally known for its collection
of European and American art, WAM was the first art museum in Americato acquire
paintings by Monet and Gauguin, one of the first to collect photography, and
one of the first to collaborate with local schools.

* $2.5 million to Tower Hill Botanic Garden. The Worcester County
Horticultural Society, incorporated in 1842, is the third oldest active horticultural society
in the United States. The society is a nonprofit educational organization for
the purpose of advancing the science, and encouraging and improving the practice
of, horticulture. Its public garden, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, showcases
carefully planned gardens and trails that enhance the natural features of this
beautiful 132-acre property and is the first and only comprehensive botanic
garden in New England.

* $2 million to EcoTarium. Founded as the Worcester Lyceum of Natural History
in 1825 and incorporated as the Worcester Natural History Society in 1884,
the EcoTarium is well rooted in the Worcester community as an organization
dedicated to the study of science and nature, and is the second oldest
natural history society in the United States. With a three floor museum, historic
collections, wildlife, educational programs and 55 acres of grounds, EcoTarium
offer hands-on exploration of natural and physical sciences and the New England
environment.

* $1.5 million to the Worcester Historical Museum (WHM). The Worcester Society
of Antiquity was founded in 1875 with the purpose to increase an interest in
archaeological science, and to rescue from oblivion such historical matter
as would otherwise be lost. WHM is the only institution devoted to local history.
It includes a research library of over 7,000 titles, an archive that houses
thousands of documents, and a collection of artifacts, all vital to the study
of Worcester history.

* $750K to Music Worcester. Music Worcester, Inc., formerly called the Worcester
Music Festival, was founded in 1858 to bring live music and cultural events
to the greater Central Massachusetts region. Music Worcester presents
world-renowned musicians and artists from across all performing arts disciplines in addition
to serving its community through far-reaching educational and outreach activities.
Music Worcester programs include international orchestras, Grammy-award winning
headliners, and celebrated soloists and chamber ensembles to inspire tens of
thousands of audience members each season. The Worcester Music Festival was
recognized by the Library of Congress as one of the oldest performing arts
organizations in the country and the oldest music festival in continuous
operation.

* $500K to The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts. The Hanover Theatre
opened in March of 2008 following a $32 million historic renovation. Over
the last seven seasons, the theatre has established its place as a world-class
performing arts venue, acting as a catalyst for the economic development of
downtown Worcester and gaining recognition by Pollstar as one of the top theatres
in the world. Serving the youth, education and accessibility are some of the
values behind the theatre’s mission to foster a love and appreciation of the
performing arts in audiences of today and tomorrow.
These commitments provide renewed vigor for the cultural institutions, which will
use these gifts for current capital campaigns or endowments.
On behalf of all seven institutions, Joseph P. Cox, president of the EcoTarium and
chair of the Worcester Cultural Coalition, said, “Words cannot express nor encompass
the generosity and passion for culture that remains the legacy of Myles McDonough,
and that has been the continuing mission of one of Worcester’s most gracious ladies,
Jean McDonough.” He added, “Jean’s energetic enthusiasm and nurturing support for
central Massachusetts remains unparalleled, enabling all of us to successfully fulfill
our missions and inspire future generations of children and families to develop
a passion for science, nature, art, music, performing arts and history. As we have
inspired others, so she continues to inspire us.”
For more information about each of the cultural institutions, visit their websites:
American Antiquarian Society at americanantiquarian.org

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WORCESTER – City police and environmental law enforcement officers tracked a moose in the area of Chamberlain Parkway for much of Friday morning. Worcester’s west side a few minutes from downtown. https://shar.es/17Qqxm

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New Round of Cultural Facilities Fund Grants Available

Governor Charlie Baker has allocated a new appropriation for the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund. These funds will allow the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) and MassDevelopment to support capital projects in the arts, humanities, and sciences that expand access and education; create jobs in construction and cultural tourism; and improve the quality of life in cities and towns across the Commonwealth.

Intent-to-Apply Deadline: October 30, 2015
Final Application Deadline: December 4, 2015 5pm (ET)
Grant Decisions Announced: Spring 2016

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QCC to host a Fall JAZZ workshop October 17, 2015
http://www.qcc.edu/fall-jazz-festival

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PEACE !