Subject: Organization Newsletter February 2023

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

February 2023

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Curley’s Diner Poetry Group meets every Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM, on Zoom, for an Open Mic with commentary and requested critique. Founded 24 years ago under the auspices of PoemAlley, which is a cultural committee of the Stamford Unitarian Universalist Church (UUC). Poets of all levels are welcome to attend, and listeners are welcome as well. Request to join the email list for announcements and updates. Contact: melissaslatteryct@gmail.com WEBSITE

League of Professional Theatre Women - CT Chapter is a membership organization championing women in theatre by advocating for increased equity and access for all theatre women+. Their vibrant public programming, advocacy projects, and transformational initiatives create community, cultivate leadership and professional development, increase opportunities for women working in theatre, and raise awareness of the importance of nurturing women’s voices. WEBSITE

Town of Stratford Economic & Community Development Office works to strengthen and improve the economic well-being of Stratford and in turn, the quality of life for its residents. Founded in 1639, Stratford is a community rich in history and abundant natural beauty.  WEBSITE

Trumbull Nature & Arts Center (TNAC) provides E-STEM (environmental-science, technology, engineering, and math education) and sustainability programs to students and families. Their programs enrich student learning through the lens of environmental awareness, using creative and innovative hands-on activities.They offer a variety of family-friendly environmental education programs throughout the year, including a Maple Sugaring Demonstration, Sunflower Seed Harvesting, and Winter Wreath Crafting. WEBSITE

CAFC NEWS

"No one can whistle a symphony.

It takes a whole orchestra to play it." ~ H.E. Luccock


Happy February! Our second theme for 2023 is "Better Together." As a reminder, our new monthly themes are meant to connect the CAFC community with network-wide inspiration and focus.


In February, we invite you to seek new collaborations and intersections, particularly as we celebrate Black History Month and the need for racial equity and inclusion.


Please share your thoughts and experiences with us via email, on Instagram, or in person.


Let's keep expanding our beautiful arts and culture network! Let's do our part to build a healthy, thriving Fairfield County!

SUPPORT CAFC

SPOTLIGHT ON ARTS & CULTURE:

THE MEANING OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH

MONDAY, FEB 13th at NOON on WPKN 89.5 FM


Hear from Maisa Tisdale, President and CEO of The Mary & Eliza Freeman Center for History and Community, and Pam Lewis, Executive Director of Connect-Us, about the meaning of Black History Month: how it got started, what its importance is today for all of us, and especially for black youth.

LISTEN HERE

IT'S ACE NOMINATION TIME!


We are pleased to open nominations for the 7th Annual Daniel E. Offutt III Arts & Culture Empowerment (ACE) Awards. The purpose of these awards is to celebrate the passion for the arts and culture and raise awareness about the quality and diversity of arts and culture across the 15 towns of our coastal Fairfield County region. Awards in five categories will be presented at our ACE Awards Breakfast on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. Submit nominations HERE

NEW! CAFC COMMUNITY THEATRE NETWORK + MORE


The first convening of the Community Theatre Network was held on January 20th. In attendance: Center Stage Shelton; Curtain Call; Downtown Cabaret Theatre; Fairfield Center Stage; Greenwich Theatre Company; League of Professional Women – CT Chapter; Ridgefield Theater Barn

Square One Theatre; Westport Community Theatre; Wilton Playshop. Discussion included subscription and flex ticketing models; audience issues; marketing; grant and data challenges; the social and economic value of theatre; and ways that theatres can lift each other up. Coming soon: more information about how we are structuring CAFC around Peer Networks and Communities of Practice.

DATA 101 WORKSHOP


We invite you to attend our free, virtual, Introduction to Data workshop in partnership with The Connecticut Data Collaborative on Thursday, March 2nd, 9:30 am to noon. In this interactive workshop, you will learn how to evaluate data quality, become a critical consumer & creator of data, and improve your data work. This introductory workshop is suitable for individuals of all skill levels and will provide valuable skills that can be applied immediately. Learn more and REGISTER HERE

TIME TO UPDATE YOUR PROFILE


NOW is a great time to refresh your profile on the CAFC website for 2023. Update your bio and images and maximize your membership through this service. We link your news to this page in our newsletters, and it's a great way to drive new audiences to your own website. Go to culturalalliancefc.org and click into MY ACCOUNT and then MY PROFILE. Go ahead, do it now :)

MEMBER NEWS

Avon Theatre Film Center announces the departure of Stuart Adelberg, Executive Director. He will step down after three and a half years. Adelberg has had a lifelong dedication to the arts, and he will continue to devote his time to the many arts and human service nonprofits to whom he is deeply committed. 

The Bijou Theatre will be augmented by Star Factory, Connecticut's most popular kids dancing birthday party venue, and run by its owner Louie Zayas. Louie has performed in the Bijou multiple times, and he brings a new level of activity to the theatre’s already vibrant live music and event offerings. The Bijou Theater will not only continue to host live music, comedy shows, and film screenings, but will now also offer a theatre program for all ages. Gary Peterson, the current manager, will be staying on for several months to assist with the transition of the business.

The City of Bridgeport has partnered with Colorful Bridgeport for a video series project called Color It In Public Art and Placemaking. A series of murals will add to the sense of community by celebrating the full spectrum of the downtown's people, places, and spaces. The talented Gary Judkins of Pivot Language Media filmed each artist creating their mural. They have released a videos series highlighting the Color It In mural projects and the artists who created them. Each video features a public art work and artist in Bridgeport that adds to the sense of community by celebrating the full spectrum of the Downtown's people, places, and spaces.  Watch Videos

Connect-Us celebrated Dr. King’s birthday on January 16th with their annual MLK Day Show, “Bridgeport Has a Dream: Building Bridges Across Fairfield County." They hosted nearly 600 people at The Klein Auditorium who came together to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King. Dozens of young people from across Fairfield County stepped onstage and shared their dreams for our country – through poetry, music, dance, rap, and song.

Curley's Diner Poetry Group, in collaboration with PoemAlley, a cultural outreach committee of the Stamford Unitarian Universalist Church, kicked off their 2023 Poetry Workshop Series event with a community "creative conversation" with Stamford poet, professor and activist Ralph Nazareth.The gathering took place on Sunday, January 29th.

Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestras (GCTYO) is pleased to announce it has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to receive a Challenge America award of $10,000. This grant will provide funding to GCTYO to continue its work on breaking down barriers to entry into the youth orchestra organization and facilitating paths to success for children from communities that have been historically excluded from classical music and high quality music education. The grant is one of 262 competitive Challenge America awards totaling $2.62 million that were announced by the NEA as part of its first round of fiscal year 2023 grants.

Greenwich Historical Society will stage an exhibit to Celebrate South Asian American Youth Heritage called ‘My Story, Our Future.’ This initiative pioneered by India Cultural Center (ICC) and UConn Asian and Asian American Studies Institute (AAASI) to document stories about South Asian American youth identity will culminate in the student-curated exhibit on February 13 – 26th. Created in alignment with Connecticut’s newly mandated K-12 Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) curriculum, the program began in fall of 2022, with a cohort of middle- and high school students participating in a series of workshops to learn strategies and approaches to conducting oral history interviews with families. LEARN MORE

Hoyt-Barnum House was ranked #6 on Redfin's "16 Things to Do in Stamford, CT blog. Hoyt-Barnum has hosted such events as Hauntings and History tours depicting the hardships of colonial life and Declaration of Independence readings and Stamford Entertainment 150 Years curated by Dan Burke, docent and curator of our previous Baby Boomer Exhibit. This exhibit is a treasure trove of performing arts memorabilia, telling the story of Stamford's important role in dance, theater and film. Exhibits and programs are made possible through support from our members, volunteers, and donors.

INTEMPO has received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) as part of its first round of 2023 grants. The NEA announced that 18 different organizations in Connecticut will split $279,000 in grants. In total, $34 million in grants have been given by the foundation nationwide during this first round of grants. These grants show the NEA’s support nationwide for strengthening our arts and cultural ecosystems, providing equitable opportunities for arts participation and practice, and contributing to the health of our communities and our economy.

Lounsbury House was named winner of The Knot Best of Weddings 2023! The 17th Annual Best of Weddings Awards honor the Top Wedding Professionals Across America, an accolade representing the highest and most-rated wedding professionals across the country as reviewed by real couples, their families and wedding guests. The Knot is a leading wedding vendor marketplace and planning authority. Winners represent the ‘best of the best’ in the industry. Lounsbury House is an historic landmark building providing a magnificent backdrop for all of life’s most memorable celebrations. READ MORE More information: Lounsbury House

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk held “Teacher Appreciation Weekend” in January ahead of International Day of Education on Jan. 24th. Teachers and one guest received free admission to the aquarium and a 4D movie. In other news, the Aquarium is currently seeking volunteers who enjoy interacting with both people and animals to share the story of Long Island Sound’s ecosystem as gallery ambassadors. Applications for the spring cohort are open now through March 3. In recognition of their service, they will receive benefits including membership for two people, free parking, professional learning opportunities, and discounts at the Aquarium’s gift shop, café, and 4D Theater. For more information, visit www.maritimeaquarium.org/volunteer.

MoCA [Museum of Contemporary Art] Westport announces the appointment of Westport, CT-based Adam Moore to its Board of Directors.Moore joins a diverse Board of Directors from across Connecticut and New York, chartered to support MoCA Westport in its mission to build a deeper understanding of, and passion for, the arts by presenting thought-provoking and relevant arts experiences. Moore is currently the CEO and Co-Founder of the Fairfield, CT-based WHEELHOUSE Center for Health and Wellbeing, an integrative health center with his wife Dr. Tegan Moore, Executive Medical Director READ MORE

Norwalk Symphony Orchestra and New Paradigm Theatre were featured in Broadway World for their upcoming concert "CAROUSEL: A Concert." The article, "A Concert – A Female Director's Perspective," explains how Director and Broadway Veteran, Kristin Huffman, brings a more current perspective to Carousel. As arts groups struggle to get audiences back after the 2020 COVID-19 shutdown, Huffman found that the template she created back in 2016 (partnering with a social justice community nonprofit that echoes the theme of the shows they produce), was more relevant than ever. READ MORE

Orchestra LUMOS has just been awarded a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Arts - its first from the NEA in over a decade. Orchestra Lumos President and CEO, Russell Jones states, "We could not be more grateful for the support of our Dalí String Quartet Residency from the National Endowment for the Arts. This is our first NEA grant in over a decade and it is instrumental in making possible this first residency in the community.”

Pantochino Productions Inc. has won 15 BroadwayWorld Regional Awards for 2022 including Best Musical, Best New Work, Best Theatre for Young Audience Production, and Favorite Local Theatre. READ MORE

URSA Gallery has been nominated for the "Best of the Gold Coast Connecticut Awards" for the "Best Art Gallery." These awards are sponsored by Moffly Media, a small, family-owned and managed business devoted to all things local. URSA is a deserving experiential gallery located in Bridgeport, showcasing modern art and design. VOTE HERE!

Westport Country Playhouse hosted writer, activist, movement leader, and artist, Junauda Petrus for their 17th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. Petrus walked through her life of activism and its connection to her creative and artistic work, and concluded by asking the audience to join her in singing the Black Happy Birthday song written for Dr. King by Stevie Wonder. The joyful afternoon began with a stunning dance performance by the students of Regional Center for the Arts. There will be video of the event available in the coming weeks. RECAP

The Westport Library has been honored with a 5-star rating from Public Library Service’s 2022 Library Journal Index—the highest score available—distinguishing it as one of the top 1.6% of public libraries in the US. The Library is the only five-star library in the state of Connecticut, per the Library Journal Index. Overall, 5,359 public libraries were assessed for 2022, 85 of which received 5-star status. The Westport Library received the top honor due to the extent that patrons use the Library and its resources, its library visits, program attendance, and website visits.  READ FULL STORY

WPKN 89.5 FM radio celebrates an expanded Black History Month throughout February 2023 with a broad and in-depth program including music, poetry, interviews, authors, and film. This unprecedented one-month recognition of Black history intends to develop a deeper understanding of the history of Blacks in America and celebrate their inestimable contribution to all aspects of American culture. Radio programmers will present interviews with African-American musicians, noted authors, poetry, with pre-recorded speeches and discussions. Find all programs and daily schedule at WPKN.org

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

CULTURAL COALITION E.D. DEPARTURE

The Cultural Coalition announces the departure of their founding Executive Director Wendy Bury who will pursue a new opportunity in the region. She will remain with the Cultural Coalition in February and then gradually transition to her new role as Managing Director at Lyme Academy of Fine Arts by June. Bury has led the organization since January 2014, following its grassroots formation by a group of more than 50 regional business, arts, tourism, government, and education leaders in the greater New London and greater Norwich areas.

READ MORE

WHAT GRANT FUNDERS REALLY WANT

To be a successful grant writer, you should know what funders want to see in your grant proposals. Stephanie Minor of Nonprofit Technology asked the experts — seasoned grants professionals and funders working in all fields supporting nonprofits — to find insider tips on what funders need to see in the grant submissions they review.Here are five concrete ways you can improve your grant applications and give funders what they want.

LEARN MORE

CT HISTORY DAY: BECOME A VOLUNTEER JUDGE


CT History Day is in need of volunteer judges. An affiliate program of National History Day, Connecticut History Day (CHD) is a Connecticut Democracy Center program in residence at Connecticut’s Old State House. CHD annually engages thousands of middle- and high-school students in historical research, interpretation, and creative expression through project-based learning. Support has been provided through a CT Cultural Fund Grant from CT Humanities, with funding provided by the CT State Department of Economic and Community Development/Connecticut Office of the Arts.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

CLHO AWARDS OF MERIT DEADLINE FEB 15


Nominations are now open for the 2023 CLHO Awards of Merit. The Connecticut League of History Organizations presents Awards of Merit to institutions and individuals who demonstrate the highest professional standards and enhance and further the understanding of Connecticut history. The Awards recognize the care, thought, and effort invested in these contributions, and inspire others by acknowledging contributions to state and local history.

NOMINATE HERE

CONTRIBUTE TO THE EVENT SAFETY GUIDE


Work has begun on a second edition of The Event Safety Guide, and we want YOU to be part of the process. If you're interested in contributing as a researcher, writer, or editor, please tell us about yourself and your experience at the link below. We'll follow up with additional information in the coming weeks.

LEARN MORE

PANDEMIC SHIFTED TYPES OF CULTURAL ENTITIES PEOPLE PREFER TO VISIT


IMPACTS Experience began monitoring how the coronavirus was impacting the types of organizations people were choosing to visit when the pandemic started. They have found that Americans continue to prefer some cultural activities over others when compared to life before the pandemic. Though these new preferences are proving durable, there are some new trends of note and meaningful implications. Learn all about it in this article.

READ MORE

FUNDING

Marketing & Media Coordinator

Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum | Norwalk


Assistant House Manager

Westport Country Playhouse | Westport


Deputy Director of Development

Long Wharf Theatre | New Haven


Assistant

Preservationist | Norwalk


Education and Workshop Coordinator

Center for Contemporary Printmaking | Norwalk


Preservation Manager

CT Landmarks | Hartford


Director of Development

Greenwich Historical Society | Greenwich


Manager of Communications and Development

INTEMPO | Stamford


Programs Coordinator

INTEMPO | Stamford


Development Assistant

The Ridgefield Library | Ridgefield


Associate Director of Development

The Bruce Museum | Greenwich


Director of Development

The Bruce Museum | Greenwich


Museum Interpreter

The Keeler Tavern Museum | Ridgefield


Operations Manager

I-Park Foundation | East Haddam


Audiences Services Manager

International Festival of Arts and Ideas | New Haven


Program and Evaluation Manager

Greater New Haven Community Foundation | New Haven


Substitute Teacher

Bridgeport Public Schools | Bridgeport


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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BECOME A MEMBER

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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