Subject: Organization Newsletter Dec 2022

News & Information for Arts & Cultural Organizations & Creative Businesses in Fairfield County

December 2022

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

The Wilton Playshop furthers the performing arts by providing quality live theatre to the greater Wilton area. They present three major productions each year along with special events that include concerts, play readings, and unique performance events. As a community-oriented endeavor, The Playshop is committed to developing new directors and playwrights as a means of preserving this important art form. WEBSITE

OUR NEWS

This month, we're celebrating our members - the artists, arts and cultural organizations, and creative businesses - who contribute to our communities in a meaningful and powerful way. You make our communities shine! It is our honor to support you through the CAFC network. Our end-of-year appeal helps us continue to thrive. We are hoping to raise $20,000 by December 31st. Will you consider a donation today? Any amount will be so helpful and so appreciated. Here's to lifting up the arts and lighting up communities!

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Now Available On SoundCloud


In our November “Spotlight on Arts & Culture” we took advantage of the season, and of the recent election results, to give thanks – for the support that the arts and culture sector receives from our state legislature, as well as from individual donors, our local businesses and family foundations. Guests included two recently re-elected legislators, Lucy Dathan, representing Norwalk and New Canaan, and David Michel representing Stamford. They were joined by Brett Thompson, Executive Director of the CT Arts Alliance, the main advocacy body for the arts in Connecticut, and Scott Wands, in Director of Grants & Programs at CT Humanities. Guests reviewed how arts, culture and tourism (ACT) are currently funded in CT, what the impact was of recent post-COVID windfall funding, and how together we can create a plan, or Roadmap, to put ACT funding on a more equitable, sustainable and predictable footing in the future. 

LISTEN HERE

YOUR NEWS

The Bridgeport Downtown Special Services District (DSSD) celebrated Bridgeport Art Trail weekend by highlighting the success of its collaboration with the City of Bridgeport, local and regional artists, and Downtown Bridgeport property owners to produce a series of public murals. The Bridgeport DSSD unveiled six murals which “colored in” corners of the neighborhood and established it as an emerging public art destination.The Bridgeport DSSD has documented the growing body of public artwork in Downtown Bridgeport on its WEBSITE

Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestras received a Challenge America grant from the National Endowment for the Arts with a tentative funding recommendation in the amount of $10,000.00. GCTYO brings young musicians together to achieve the highest standard of music performance with a holistic approach to education - fostering growth, learning, confidence, and both social and emotional awareness, which prepares students for a full and balanced life.

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum is pleased to announce that Kathleen Olsen has joined the Board of Trustees. Ms. Olsen has over 25 years of experience in accounting and finance and currently serves as a Director of Green Brick Partners, Inc. (NYSE: GRBK), a diversified homebuilding and land development company. From 1999 through 2011, Ms. Olsen served as Chief Financial Officer of Eminence Capital, LP, a long/short global equity fund. She is a Certified Public Accountant and an adjunct professor at Fordham University.

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum was nominated, for the third time, as USA Today’s 10 Best Holiday Historic Home Tours in the U.S. Handpicked by a panel of 10 Best Experts from around the country and the editorial team at USA Today, the museum has been nominated as one of twenty museums and cultural institutions from all over the U.S. with the most magnificent holiday tour experience. The public can cast their votes daily for the museum through December 5th HERE

Lost and Found Lab has a Design Award of Excellence from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Connecticut. The Lab is recognized as successfully housing a space for reflection and production, reinforcing the human experience and engagement with art, architecture and nature. Joeb Moore and Partners collaborated with Lost and Found Lab, constructing the space with sustainable features.

Mark Twain Library is excited to present the 50th Anniversary Mark Twain Library Art Show from December 3-11. The ticketed Dec 2nd Golden Jubilee Preview Reception is a dazzling evening cocktail affair to view and buy the artwork and bid on artwork donated to the Silent Auction. Often considered Redding’s “Party of the Year,” the event celebrates artists from the area who showcase their talents. Since 1972, this art show has attracted the local artists that have long flocked to Redding. The 50th Anniversary Art Show attracted a record 230-plus artists to enter with more than 150 works selected.

Metro Arts Studios is honored to have received a CT Preservation Award of Merit. This award recognizes individual projects, long-term contributions, and professional achievements that demonstrate the many ways historic places contribute to the life and vitality of Connecticut communities. Metro Art Studios is located in the historic Crown Corset factory building, built in 1909 in Bridgeport’s South End. After standing vacant for many years, the three-story building has been renovated for artists’ studios plus a gallery. It shows how private parties with a love of old buildings, determination and the interest of potential tenants can reuse once vacant space and create new energy.

MoCA Westport celebrated 50 years of Heida Hermanns International Piano Competition on November 19th. Four of the world’s top young pianists to Westport competed over the course of three days. The winner received a cash prize of $10,000, and each of the other finalists received a prize of $2,500. In addition to a cash prize, the winner will perform a solo recital at MoCA Westport, at a later date.

The Ridgefield Playhouse held its Fall Gala with Bernadette Peters on November 4th, and paid tribute to Executive Director, Allison Stockel who stepped down from her role after two decades. Harvey Fierstein, Alan Menken, and Senator Richard Blumenthal were among the surprise VIP guests at the event. The event was an "unforgettable send off" for Stockel whose contributions to the Playhouse are innumerable.

Suzuki Music School will offer a ‘Bagels and Bach’ concert series designed to connect people of all ages through music through April. At the heart of this engaging series is the shared commitment of both Sunrise Senior Living and the Suzuki School to build community, strengthen family bonds, and create a nurturing environment that celebrates individuality.

URSA Gallery is thrilled to be a part of the SCOPE Art Show at Art Basel Miami Beach 2022. URSA has worked tirelessly to establish a thriving arts and culture scene – a mission that they will celebrate at Scope. Their presentation situates artists from Bridgeport with contemporaries from the tristate area whose work achieves innovation and dimensional forms through timeless craftsmanship. Artists: Eddie Hall, Christine Romanell, Thalia Hernandez, Frank Foster Post, Carol Salmanson, and CAFC members Dan Makara and Joe Fucigna.

Westport Country Playhouse  has named Erika K. Wesley to a new, full-time position as Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). She will provide strategic and operational leadership of all EDI policies, programs, training, and practices for the Playhouse.The newly created position is underwritten in part by a Connecticut Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant administered by CT Humanities. The new position reflects the commitment of the Playhouse’s board and staff to place anti-racism and inclusion at the center of their work. Wesley will be instrumental in helping the Playhouse realize its vision of becoming a regional hub for theater, art, ideas, and fellowship with communities extending beyond Westport.

Westport Country Playhouse introduces a new initiative - the Playhouse Mobile Unit. This program brings live theater to the community as part of their goal to build sustainable and lasting relationships with historically underserved audiences, through the art of live theater, offering authentic theatrical experiences in environments such as schools, parks, community centers, or anywhere we gather together. The first show is on tour beginning in January 2023.

The Westport Museum for History and Culture and Verso Studios at The Westport Library have a new podcast that focues on the histories all around us that have been lost to time called "Buried in Our Past." Hosted by Ramin Ganeshram, the first episode came out on November 21st, called "The True Story of Thanksgiving," and there are plans to release a new episode each month. Ganeshram states it is a goal for the museum and library to work together "to leverage individual strengths and support each other." READ MORE

WE DEPEND ON YOU TO SEND US YOUR NEWS


MEMBERS: Please post your News and Opportunities through your account on the CAFC website or send directly to Lorie Lewis at marketing@culturalalliancefc.org before the next Organization Newsletter which is always the first Friday of each month.

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OTHER NEWS

DOES FREE ADMISSION RESULT IN MORE DIVERSE AUDIENCES?


Read a pandemic-informed update on the research around free admission and welcoming diverse audiences. The results indicate that blaming admission cost – or lack thereof – for the industry’s inability to more effectively engage diverse audiences can be a distraction from the real, more difficult barriers that prevent folks from visiting. Free admission is still not a panacea for welcoming new audiences. Instead, being welcoming and weaving values of diversity, equity, and inclusion into the entire fabric of the experience – and celebrating thoughtful, targeted access programs work.

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CT HUMANITIES YEAR OF TRANSFORMATION


Among an array of humanities organizations across Connecticut, 2022 will be remembered as a year when investment in Connecticut’s cultural sector was greater than at any other in Connecticut’s history.  That fact is the thread running through the Connecticut Humanities (CTH) 2022 Annual Report, released this fall, documenting what is described as a “Year of Transformation.”

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PARTICIPATE IN THE ARTS & ECONOMIC PROSPERITY STUDY


Become a PARTNER or VOLUNTEER for the AEP6 Study. There are opportunities for member organizations to distribute & collect surveys at events or help us collect surveys. If you are interested in having your venue participate or if you would like to volunteer at an event, please submit your live event for consideration or email David Green at culturalalliancefc2@gmail.com

LEARN MORE

FUNDING

PT Accountant/Bookkeeper

The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum | Ridgefield


Special Collections Assistant

Pequot Library | Southport


Grants Assistant

Danbury Railway Museum | Danbury


Development Director

Laurel House | Stamford


Visitors Services and Office Manager

Wilton Historical Society | Wilton


Chief Advancement Officer

Connecticut Historical Society | Hartford


Senior Museum Administrator

Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum | Norwalk


PT Accountant/Bookkeeper

The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum | Ridgefield


Development Assistant

The Ridgefield Library | Ridgefield


Expanding Pathways to Consulting Fellowship

AMS | Southport


CT League of History Organization Jobs List


PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

 
 

SPREAD THE WORD!

Did you know that, in addition to this monthly Organization Newsletter, we have a monthly Artist Newsletter and a weekly e-Buzz event listing? Subscribe to any or all of our publications and share a sample with a friend or peer. Please help us expand our reach by sharing and subscribing here:

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The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County is a nonprofit membership service organization that supports its members through marketing, capacity building, professional development, networking, and advocacy services. This newsletter is sent to all who request it, but we ask that, if you are not a member, you explore membership benefits and consider joining.

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THANK YOU

SPONSORS & MEDIA PARTNERS

The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County is a 501(c)(3) cultural nonprofit membership organization. We are grateful to our members and our donors whose support enables us to do our work. In particular, we are grateful for support from:

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Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County, Gate Lodge at Mathews Park, 301 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06850, United States

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    This is an online snapshot of a newsletter created by the owner of ORGANIZATION NEWSLETTER: JULY 24, 2015 (Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County, Gate Lodge at Mathews Park, 301 West Avenue, 06850 Norwalk, United States) and sent via GetResponse on 2022-12-05. Report abuse