| News and Opportunities for the Cultural Nonprofits and Creative Businesses of Fairfield County, CT April 19, 2019 |
| | The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County is a nonprofit membership service organization that supports its members through unified marketing, capacity building, professional development, 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. Find out more and sign up here. |
| | | | MEMBERS: PLEASE REGISTER ON OUR WEBSITE |
| | 389 of our 600 members have now created profiles on the new integrated Cultural Alliance website - please join them! In order to post an event on FCBuzz Events, you need to register on the website as if you are a new member, using the same email address you used for the old FCBuzz site as your contact email (call us if you are unsure what address that is). Call 203-212-6894 or email with any questions.
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| | | SPOTLIGHT ON ARTS & CULTURE PODCAST NOW AVAILABLE: CONNECTING OUR TOWNS
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| If you missed last week's Spotlight on Arts & Culture, our monthly live interview show on WPKN 89.5 FM on Connecting Our Towns, you can now listen to the podcast here. Hear from Frank Derico, Neighborhood Studios; Pam Lewis, Connect-Us; Laurence Caso, The Klein; and Rob Silvan, K.E.Y.S., about what they do, how they got started, how much assistance they get from other towns, and what more we could all do to help Bridgeport's youth thrive and prosper. |
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| ❦ – Latest List by Town of Organization and Creative Business Members: here
❦ – Latest List by Town of Artist Members: here
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| | | | | ROUND-UP OF MEMBERS' NEWS |
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Congratulations to The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum's Sierra Van Ryck deGroot, Education Assistant, for being awarded an Elizabeth L. Mahaffey Arts Administration Fellowship. Sierra's award will enable her to represent the Museum at the 2019 Annual Convening of the Art Administrators of Color as well other conferences, where she will learn from her peers in the field. Sierra, who has an M.S.Ed in Museum Education with a specialization in Early Childhood Education from Bank Street College of Education, works across audiences in the Museum’s school and family programs, and is currently developing future teen initiatives for The Aldrich as well as managing the Museum’s full-day full-week summer camp experience. Sierra also serves on the board of the New York Museum Educator Roundtable, working with colleagues across institutions to create programming and professional development opportunities for educators through the tri-state area. The Aldrich and its staff are proud of the great work that Sierra does and congratulates her on this esteemed fellowship. |
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The Bruce Museum has named Robert Wolterstorff as its new Executive Director, effective June 1, following the previous announcement of the retirement of Peter C. Sutton after an 18-year career as Executive Director of the Bruce. Wolterstorff has served as Executive Director of the Bennington Museum in Vermont since 2012, leading the 167-year-old museum through a well-received curatorial makeover, including the 2016 Milton Avery’s Vermont, which increased attendance by more than 40%, surpassed in 2017 by Grandma Moses: American Modern. He created a Bennington Modernism Gallery to highlight the circle of now-famous abstract artists associated with Bennington in the 1960s: Helen Frankenthaler, Kenneth Noland, Jules Olitski, Larry Poons, David Smith, Tony Smith, and Sir Anthony Caro. He also created 3D Digital: Here and Now, which focused on the innovative digital manufacturing in Bennington, and a recurring series of one-night living tattoo exhibitions, which brought in new audiences. This is an exciting time for the Bruce, engaged in a transformative $60 million capital expansion project, doubling its footprint to 70,000 sq. ft., including a three-story addition, open to Bruce Park, with a façade of cast stone and glass inspired by the striated walls of Connecticut’s historic rock quarries. “What draws me to the Bruce," said Woltersdorff, "is the unparalleled opportunity to create a new museum...to be involved in forming significant new collections, a new attitude, and new ways that the Museum will connect with its community.” Wolterstorff earned a Master of Fine Arts and a doctorate in art history from Princeton University, where he wrote his dissertation on the 18th-century neoclassical architect Robert Adam. He has a master’s in art history from Williams College and a bachelor's in biology from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. More... |
| | Band Central and City Lights Gallery patrons packed the house of the Downtown Cabaret Theatre, for a high energy fund and friend-raiser supporting arts enrichment programs for youth, and celebrating City Lights 15th anniversary, Fri. April 12. Rob Fried and Band Central sponsored and produced the Magic of Motown benefit concert. This academic year, City Lights programs will reach 5,000 student attendees, partnering with Band Central and Fairfield Arts for Youth. Outreach includes cultural arts integration programs in the schools of music, dance, and visual arts, mural projects through a collaboration with Aim Higher Together Bridgeport, the anti-violence art campaign, and Make Music Day-Bridgeport, scheduled for the first day of summer. City Lights has also partnered with the Multicultural Magnet school in Bridgeport for 3 years. Photo: Song-writing workshop at the Multicultural Magnet School with teaching artist Fuzz San Giovanni. |
| | Fairfield Public Library, through the Friends of FPL), received one of the 2019 Regional Initiative (REGI) grants, administered by CAFC and funded by the CT Office of the Arts. FPL is now preparing for presenting its funded project: Jazzed Up! Celebrating Libraries through Music, Art and Technology. Mark Edinberg will perform his 13-part jazz piece The Library Suite, with his sons, Dan (bass), and Joel (saxophone), that will also feature the Vindor, a new digital woodwind instrument. The Library Suite will premiere at the Pequot Library April 28, 2pm. On Saturday, April 27, 2:30-4:30pm there will be a reception with all of The Library Suite artists in the Bruce S. Kershner Gallery at the Fairfield Public Library, 1080 Old Post Road. Photographs taken by Dave Pressler to accompany The Library Suite will be on display and there will be live jazz piano by Mark Edinberg. |
| | New Paradigm Theatre (NPT) has a new approach for selecting the star of its next musical production with young people. Each of the nine finalists for the role of Conrad Birdie in Bye Bye Birdie, NPT's summer production will perform their callback material in front of a live audience on May 5th. The audience will decide by voting for their favorite! By the end of the event, NPT will have "CAST" the title role. Tickets are available now for this fun(d)-raising (and educational) event, hosted by Emmy-nominated Scott Bryce. Entertainment will be provided by NPT Broadway pros and youth while the votes are being counted. |
| | Congratulations to Project Music's Executive Director Ian Taylor for being awarded an Elizabeth L. Mahaffey Arts Administration Fellowship to work with Teaching Artists International (TAI) in the Balkans this May. This opportunity is made possible with support from the CT Office of the Arts (COA) and will allow Ian to learn with three El Sistema-inspired organizations working to reunite war-torn communities through music: House of Good Tones Srebrenica (Bosnia & Herzegovina), Sustav orkestara djece i omladine - El Sistema Hrvatska (Croatia), and Music Art Project (Serbia). As a TAI fellow, Ian will lead classes, teach lessons, work with local faculty on professional development, give workshops, and perform with and for the students, families, and larger communities. The fellowship aims to prepare the next generation of musicians with tools for the classroom, global citizenship, and using artistry for community development. |
| | The Westport Arts Center has announced its plans to expand its space in a move to a new location at 19 Newtown Turnpike, Westport. This will triple the Arts Center's space when it opens this Fall. The move is being seen as a great opportunity to expand its already rich range of activities. The new property is a 1926 stone building, with attached warehouse and free-standing cottages. This offers the potential of 30,000 square feet for museum exhibitions, state-of-the-art-classrooms, artists-in-residence quarters, concerts and other events, a library of rare art books, and a members lounge space. Beyond the building itself, the property is over 6 acres with sprawling outdoor space including gardens and paths for exploration. The Center is excited that this allows not only for broader programming, but also larger scale innovative art pieces and installations. More details will be released at the Center's 50th Anniversary Gala, May 18th. |
| | | | RENÉ SOTO IS OUR REGIONAL ARTS HERO!
René Soto, artist, publisher, gallery director, and all-around nice guy, has been named by the Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) as ARTS HERO for our region of coastal Fairfield County. The COA created the Connecticut Arts Hero Awards in 2016, to honor and celebrate individuals who are doing extra-ordinary things in, for, and through the arts. Nine awards are made, one from each of 9 regions represented by COA's nine regional service organizations, and will be presented May 1 in Hartford. Come celebrate at the free celebration (details and register here) . René Soto arrived in the U.S. from Guatemala eight years ago. After the death of his brothers and mother, he used painting as a way of releasing the pain and under-stood that if art could help him, then others could also benefit from the arts. Working multiple jobs, René always found the time to volunteer at many nonprofits, giving art lessons to the elderly, children, and families of cancer survivors. He has donated his work to organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House, Stamford Senior Center, Caring with Grace, Domestic Crisis Violence Center and others. In May 2018, he inaugurated the René Soto Gallery at 1 Wall Street, Norwalk and, in less than a year, the Gallery has become a home to local and international artists, poets, dancers, and many other nonprofits that had been looking for a place to express and share their love for the arts. Join with his friends and colleagues in congratulating René on this honor. |
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| CELEBRATE CONNECTUCT ARTS DAY 2019 MAY 2 - NEW HAVEN
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| | | | | | | NEFA JAZZ ROAD FIELD SURVEY & GRANT
JULY 1
The New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) has announced a new partnership with South Arts and its national initiative Jazz Road to support jazz artists throughout the U.S. through expanded opportunities to tour. Grant guidelines for the program will be posted in April 2019, and are anticipated to support artists via: Touring subsidies to help artists make the leap from localized success to reach new audiences outside their home area; and Residency subsidies to help artists explore their work in a community outside their home area through new collaborations, performances, and experiences. Jazz Road is a national program to help jazz artists residing in every part of the country develop small (three-to-six site) tours. It aims to engage the full spectrum of jazz programmers and venues, including non-traditional or alternative spaces for jazz, clubs, performing arts centers, and established jazz programs or festivals. It encourages the presenting of jazz in new ways, and bringing artists to underserved, isolated and rural areas to build audiences for jazz. It will support artists to work with not only established jazz programs (both nonprofit and commercial), but also with organizations that may not be currently associated with jazz such as artist spaces, community centers, galleries, listening rooms, libraries, house concerts, places of worship, retail and civic events. It will support artists and presenters in collaboration to create new audiences for jazz in new locations. Grants will be awarded to fairly pay artists when presenters with smaller budgets may not have the capacity to do so. Jazz Road Tours Guidelines will be available in April 2019. The first deadline is July 1, 2019 for tours taking place between September 2019 – August 2020. Call for Presenters, Programmers, & Venues: To facilitate building connections for jazz artists, NEFA invites all New England-based jazz presenters, programmers, and venues that may want to participate in a Jazz Road project, partner with artists to build new jazz audiences, and potentially receive partial artist fee subsidy to present Jazz Road artist grant recipients, to complete a short survey. Expressing interest in Jazz Road will help artists connect with potential presenters to plan tours and residencies in New England through this forthcoming initiative. Please spread the word to other jazz programmers by sharing this survey. This survey is found in this link: http://www.jazzroad.org/for-presenters. Feel free to contact South Arts or NEFA’s Presenting & Touring team if you have any questions about Jazz Road and be on the lookout in April to share the guidelines with artists that may wish to apply! |
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| NEFA NEW ENGLAND STATES TOURING (NEST) GRANTS AUGUST 1
grants provide support to New England-based nonprofit organizations for public presentations and activities by New England artists listed on the CreativeGround directory. The goals of the program are to: give the communities of New England direct access to the artistic excellence and diversity available in this region; provide New England artists with the opportunity to build audiences through touring to a variety of communities, thereby increasing demand for their work; encourage thorough planning of projects that provide meaningful interaction between New England artists and communities; and remove barriers to participation due to race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, class, age, and geography. Presenting organizations select artists from the registry of artists who represent a wide range of disciplines, including dance, folk art, interdisciplinary work, media, music, musical theater, opera, poetry, and storytelling. NEST artists must be available for public performances and must maintain a permanent residence in New England. NEST grants are awarded through a competitive selection process. Grants are available in amounts of up to 50% of the artists' fees, and typically range from $400 to $4,000. Requests below $400 will not be accepted. Artists’ fees may include costs for creation of new work, travel, and per diem./ The amount of funding awarded is based on the extent to which the project meets these criteria: contextual, educational, and adjunct activities featuring the artist(s) in the project (e.g., workshops, lecture-demonstrations) which meaningfully engage various sectors of the community; cross-sector exchanges (connecting arts and non-arts organizations) and collaboration are strongly encouraged.; remove barriers to participation due to race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, class, age, and geography; well-planned promotion and marketing, including linkages that extend and deepen the reach of the project; a budget that reflects revenue from a variety of sources including admissions, sponsorships, private foundations, individuals, and/or government agencies. NEFA strongly encourages charging admission to performances and events. Online applications must be submitted before midnight on the deadline date. Applications must be submitted a minimum of three months in advance of the proposed project. NEST grant recipients will be notified six-eight weeks following the deadline. Preview application questions here. Apply here. |
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| | | | | The Connecticut Office of the Arts has Guidelines available, and applications open, for four grants currently - all with deadlines in the next month - so get to work! |
| | GOOD TO GREAT
LOI MAY 1
The Good to Great program provides funding for capital projects initiated by non-for-profit arts, cultural, and historic organizations that connect art, history and tourism in ways that enhance and transform the visitors' experience of an arts/cultural venue or historical site. This program seeks applications that look beyond basic facilities repair, rehabilitation, or expansion. Strong applications will include new means of sharing and telling the stories of our state’s rich history and culture in engaging, meaningful, and relevant ways. Funding will be prioritized for collaborative projects that demonstrate a clear vision of how individual sites and organizations can effectively tie together local, regional, or statewide cultural assets in ways that demonstrate measurable movement from “good” to “great”. Applicants may request between $25,000 and $150,000. Interested applicants must submit a Letter of Interest describing their project idea via email to Todd Levine on or before 11:59 pm, Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Click here for Guidelines. Visit the Good to Great webpage for additional information. |
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| | REGIONAL INITIATIVE
JUNE 1
The Regional Initiative (REGI) program encourages and supports small arts projects that are relevant to a community’s current society, culture and trends. REGI is a good fit for applicants that have a small arts-based project that targets a specific community matter, reflects on personal experience(s), and/or brings neighborhoods together. REGI grants range between $1,000 and $4,000; up to 10% can be for administrative expenses; grants require a 25% match (from cash and/or unkind contributions. Individual artists can apply as well as arts organizations; creative entrepreneurs; school districts or individual schools; curators/event planners; 501(c)(3) non-arts organizations; colleges, universities and departments; and libraries. Applications are made through Survey Monkey and should be completed first in a word-processing document and then uploaded (you have to begin and finish in one sitting). See Guidelines, and the budget form you have to separately download. Review the application questions here. If you apply for a REGI grant you cannot apply for either a Project Grant or a Supporting Arts Grant. |
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| | | PROJECT GRANTS JUNE 19
The Arts Project Grant encourages and supports arts-based projects of artistic excellence that are aligned with COA's READI framework. Grant requests must range between $5,000 - $15,000. Eligible Applicants: Connecticut Artists (must apply with a fiscal sponsor OR apply using their legal business entity; arts organizations with 501(c)(3) status or with a fiscal sponsor; 501(c)(3) non-arts organizations with a history of offering publicly accessible arts-based program(s) or project(s)projects; municipal departments; school districts; colleges and universities. Guidelines are available here. Applicants should visit the Arts Project Grant webpage for additional information and how to apply. Application Deadline: on or before 11:59 pm, Wed. June 19, 2019. Funding Period: October 1, 2019 - September 30, 2020. Interested applicants are encouraged to register for the Arts Project Webinar to take place on Thurs. April 25, 3 - 4pm. Register here. If you apply for a Project Grant, you may not apply for either a REGI or a Supporting Arts grant. |
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| SUPPPORTING ARTS GRANTS The Supporting Arts Grant provides unrestricted funding to help support arts organizations and municipal arts departments as they pursue their missions. This grant is flexible, giving the grantee the ability to use the funds where they are most needed. An applicant must be either an arts organization or a municipal arts department. Please review the definitionsf and required criteria on the program's webpage. First-time applicants to the Supporting Arts program are required to confirm eligibility by contacting Rhonda Olisky. Funding allocations are made according to organizational budget size: $1,000: organizational budget of $1,000 -$30,000; $3,000: organizational budget of $30,000 - $100,000; $7,000: organizational budget of $100,000 - $500,000; $12,500: organizational budget of $500,000 - $1.5 million; $15,000: organizational budget over $1.5 million. Funding is not guaranteed and depends on an organization meeting key performance criteria. Guidelines are available here; applicants should visit Supporting Arts webpage for additional information and how to apply. Deadline: 11:59 pm, Friday, June 28, 2019. Funding Period: October 1, 2019 - September 30, 2020. |
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| | | | NATIONAL SURVEY OF HISTORY ORGANIZATIONS APRIL 30 Please take 10 minutes to complete the survey so we can have a few more organizations from CT be part of the data pool. Because this is the first time for this AASLH survey, and we would like to be able to spot changes over the past few years, we are asking for the total number of onsite/in-person visitors (including students) not only for the past year (2018), but also for the year before (2017), and five years ago (2013). These visitation numbers, however you calculate them, are the numbers you report to your board, put in your annual report, etc. Important! If your organization has multiple sites, or a museum and a site, or multiple divisions to which there are visitors, please complete one questionnaire for each entity. Individual responses will be kept confidential, though AASLH staff may contact you if we have questions. Deadline is April 30. AASLH will distribute the findings of this visitation survey to the entire field later this year, beginning at their Annual Meeting in August of 2019. Go to survey now! |
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| ENVISIONING THEATER FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES MIAMI JUNE 8
Theatre for Young Audiences/USA (TYA/USA) and Theatre Communications Group (TCG), in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) will present a one-day convening that will bring together TYA leaders, funders, arts journalists, and the wider theater community to discuss the impact and importance of the theater for young audiences (TYA) sector in the United States. We invite the field to join us for a series of discussions, presentations, and sharing of research as we bring attention to TYA as an industry, making the case to funders, media, and mainstream theater leaders that live performance for young people is a vital and important part of the theater ecology and the sector’s long-term sustainability. As a post-conference convening to the TCG annual conference in Miami, this event will provide an opportunity for learning and exchange between leadership of TYA companies and mainstream theaters, who may not typically interact. Registration for the post-conference is free and may be selected as part of the TCG National Conference registration. Free Registration for post-conference only is here. |
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| | NEW ENGLAND MUSEUMS ASSOCIATION WEBINAR WHERE HAVE ALL THE VOLUNTEERS GONE? APRIL 24 The New England Museums Association (NEMA) offers a free webinar Wednesday, April 24, Noon - 1 pm, led by Sophie Huget, Director, New Britain Industrial Museum on "Where Have All the Volunteers Gone?" Every museum hopes to recruit new volunteers to assist with day-to-day operations and larger-scale projects. How do we attract volunteers, though? Get inspired to create a volunteer recruitment plan, and hear what's worked for others! Register here. |
| | Professional Development Events Coming Up…April 24: NEMA: Where Have All The Volunteers Gone? Webinar |
| | | | ALDRICH MUSEUM DIGITAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum seeks a Digital Media Coordinator who would work with diverse Museum departments—Exhibitions, Education, Development, Special Events, and Visitor Services—to actively organize and archive content, and update The Aldrich’s website to ensure that timely and accurate information is posted in a way to make the site dynamic, accessible, and engaging. In addition, this position will work on the Museum’s forthcoming website redesign process and will be instrumental to its success. This position supervises the Museum’s online presence and social media channels with the goals of elevating the Museum’s profile, implementing outreach strategies to build constituency engagement, and supporting fundraising goals. This position will also schedule, develop, and format all Aldrich e-newsletters across all departments, create and manage a digital archive of all exhibitions, programs, and events, and support the Graphic Designer on special projects. Responsibilities: Format content for, regularly review, update, and maintain the Museum’s website; Assist with the Museum’s forthcoming website redesign process; Assure the timeliness, quality, and accuracy of website content; Update, review, and maintain online retail and ticketing platforms; Implement social media outreach to disseminate information about Museum activities, building visibility for and interest in Museum news, exhibitions, and programs; Maintain consistent and frequent postings across multiple social media platforms to convey energy and dynamism of Museum activities and exhibitions; Develop and create video content for various Museum depar-ments to share on website and social media, and to use for grant applications, when applicable; and more. Requirements: Fluent in Illustrator (InDesign and Photoshop a plus), with a strong understanding of producing and optimizing media for the web; Ability to collaborate well; comfortable working with a broad range of Museum personnel, including curators, educators, technology designers, and development, marketing, and communications staff; Effective written and verbal communication skills; Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills, and more. The successful candidate will also demonstrate a commit-ment to the Museum’s mission, to working to advance its position within the museum field, and the ability to advocate effectively for the Museum and its goals in professional and social settings. For complete description click here. Please send cover letter and resume to: jobs@aldrichart.org, with the subject line “Digital Media Coordinator.” Qualified candidates will be contacted. No phone calls, please. |
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| WESTPORT CONTINUING EDUCATION AFTER-SCHOOL TEACHERS
Westport Continuing Education (WCE) is looking for innovative and creative educators to engage, inspire, and teach school-age students in diverse after school programs. Classes in the arts, science, creative writing, drama, and physical education generally meet once per week for 1 - 1½ hours for 6 - 8 weeks in the Westport public schools during the academic school year. Educators are encouraged to submit proposal ideas that resonate with students’ interests and popular trends in grades K - 5, or 6 - 8. Educators work closely with the Director of WCE to develop engaging, themed activities for after school classes that specialize in topics such as visual arts, crafts, STEM/STEAM projects, drama, sewing, fitness, homework help, games, and multidisciplinary activities. Classes are aligned with the mission and goals of Westport Public Schools to foster 21st century skill-building; inquiry-based learning, creative and critical thinking, perseverance, and teamwork. Competitive payment for teachers is based on course offering and experience. Qualifications: Maintain a professional and positive attitude; Innovative problem-solver with expertise in teaching school-age children; Experience in classroom management and maintaining a safe and nurturing environment where Children can learn and excel; Must be punctual and respectful of school facilities; Must be able to pass a background check. Responsibilities: Develop, instruct, and lead children with fun and engaging learning experiences, hands-on projects, games, and physical activity; Communicate with Director and WCE staff in a timely manner with any needs or issues; Maintain a safe and nurturing environment where students of all abilities and backgrounds have a chance to develop important skills after school; Manage a classroom of 8-15 students, creating a set structure of activities; Create innovative “take-home” projects or activities; Classes are take-in/take-out; activities and materials must be set up quickly before the program and
ensure that classrooms are left clean and in order; Report in writing for any student disciplinary issues, injuries, or illnesses to Director and WCE staff; Supervise parent pick-up. To Apply: Please submit a brief cover letter outlining your experience and class ideas, resume, and three references to Westport Continuing Education, 70 North Avenue, Westport, CT 06880 or email to conted@westportconted.com |
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| | | | FOR JOBS, FOR SALE, FOR RENT, VOLUNTEERS, AND CALLS FOR ARTISTS - CONSULT AND POST IN OUR CLASSIFIEDS |
| | | | | SPREAD THE WORD!
Please help us expand the reach of our weekly E-Buzz newsletter with its selection of events taking place that week in our region. See the most recent issue. Subscribe here. |
| | | | | APRIL
April 22: Stage Directors & Choreographers Workshop Foundation: Observerships Application Deadline MAY
May c1: CT OECD: Good to Great Grant Program - Letter of Intent Deadline JUNE
JULY July c1: NEFA: Jazz Road Application Deadline (Guidelines still to be released)
AUGUST
ROLLING
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| | The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County is a 501(c)(3) organization. We are very grateful for the support of our individual and organization members, our individual donors and the following organizations. |
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