The Martha’s Vineyard Cultural Council is calling for funding proposals from individuals, organizations and schools. Council grants exist to support projects that promote or enhance excellence, access, education and diversity in the arts, humanities and interpretative sciences for the purpose of improving the quality of life for all of the Island’s residents. This year’s grant applications are due Oct. 15.

The cultural council gives priority to projects originating on, and for the benefit of, the six Island towns of Martha’s Vineyard. Applicants can find instructions, program guidelines and forms at massculturalcouncil.org.

To help applicants prepare an effective funding proposal, the council will hold a grant-writing workshop on Monday, Sept. 21, at 7 p.m. at the Howes House (Up-Island Council on Aging), 1042 State Road, just opposite Alley’s General Store in West Tisbury. The session is open to nonprofit cultural organizations, artists, schools and residents interested in applying for funding from the council.

Awards in 2008 covered many cultural disciplines, from the Native Americans Artisans Festival at the Aquinnah Cultural Center, to the Martha’s Vineyard Museum’s Brazilian Voices project, to the Built on Stilts Dance Festival.

For more information, contact council secretary Dan Waters at 508-693-1551.