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News and Opportunities for the Cultural Nonprofits and Creative Services of Fairfield County, CT |
| | | | 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. |
| All links in green link to pages on our website |
| | | | CONGRATULATIONS TO THE VIRTUAL INNOVATION CHALLENGE AWARDEES |
| | The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County (CAFC) has announced the winners of its Virtual Innovation Challenge, a contest developed with the help of an anonymous donor, to encourage artists, musicians and performers, working in all media, to create new forms and formats – innovative, interactive online programs (exhibits, talks, lectures, classes, dance/theater/music experiences) that can generate income and provide possible new forms for sustainability. The winners are as follows:
- First Prize ($2,000): Trace Burroughs (Redding, CT) for his Virtual Reality Gallery incorporating crowd sourcing software for interactivity and payment facility.
- Second Prize ($1,250): Joseph Dermody (Greenwich, CT) for his A Piece of the Puzzle, a new kind of art experience – a large cohesive painting, created on 55 tiles, each one sold and shipped for $55.
- Third prize ($750): Adelka Polak and her Sova Dance and Puppet Theater (Bethel, CT) for Engaging Children with Puppetry during Challenging Times, an integrated teaching tool including an online workshop where educators, parents, counselors and teaching artists learn puppeteering skills together, supplemented with one-on-one lessons.
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| | SONO COLLECTION & CULTURAL ALLIANCE ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP: SONO ART CARES |
| | In a new partnership between The SoNo Collection, the new Brookfield Properties Mall in Norwalk, and The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County, 10 local artists are painting live at the mall, one artist per week. Artists will be at different locations around the mall, painting live and interacting with viewers, Friday-Sunday, 1-4pm. Once finished, the paintings will be featured on display in the People's United Magnificent Room through October 3. All artwork is being donated by The SoNo Collection to The Cultural Alliance and will be offered for bidding in a silent auction, climaxing in a live online auction on Sat. Oct. 3. The artists above, from top left to bottom right are: Yedi Fresh, Sarah Stinson-Hurwitz, Jahmane, Leslie Cober-Gentry, Robert Abriola, Justin Cox, Vernice Holmes, Naomi Clark, Kristin Schnitzler, and Duvian Montoya. Learn more...
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| | VIRTUAL 2020 ACE AWARDS SET FOR OCT. 22 |
| Mark Your Calendar for our fifth Arts & Cultural Empowerment (ACE) Awards Ceremony (and first virtual one): Thurs. Oct 22, 5:30pm. We are thrilled that Broadway star, Tony-award winner and CAFC artist member, Joanna Gleason will be our keynote speaker, and Tony-Award winner James Naughton, will MC the event. We will be making awards in five categories: Artist, Citizen, Corporate, Educator and Nonprofit. Read about past ACE Award recipients.
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| | JULY SPOTLIGHT NOW A PODCAST: BLACK WOMEN ARTISTS MATTER |
| The July edition of our monthly Spotlight on Arts & Culture on WPKN 89.5 FM, featured three black women artists who are members of the Cultural Alliance: Tara Blackwell, Alicia Cobb, and Shanna Melton. In this time of heightened awareness of the Black Lives Matter movement, we present the voices of three Black Women Artists speaking about their art, their lives, and what matters most to them. How valuable and how effective is art today in broadening awareness and effecting change - in individuals, in organizations, and in our society - our lives together? All three artists took part in the Beechwood Arts & Innovation‘s AMPLIFY program earlier this summer, the subject of our August SPOTLIGHT. Hear the podcast here.
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| | | The Artists Collective of Westport is proud to present the work of its members 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 47 Main Street in Westport. View the work on a flatscreen TV with a rotating slide show in the store window. View it in complete safety from the sidewalk. No appointment necessary, but if others are watching, please wear a mask and keep a safe distance. The video is also available on the Collective's YouTube Channel and on its website through August 29. Learn more...
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| | | The Bruce Museum has announced the winners of its Junior Art Competition 2020: Seeing and Feeling During the Pandemic. Children K - 8th grade were invited to use their creativity to share their unique experiences during this unprecedented health crisis. “Our hearts go out to these children as they deal with the pandemic and with the compelling issues surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement.” Juror Lily deJongh Downing notes, “Their works were incredible – powerful expressions of how to seek truth and justice and beauty through art.” Winning images are displayed on the Bruce website. |
| | The Danbury Music Centre is celebrating its 85th Anniversary this year. Since its beginning in 1935, the DMC has touched the lives of countless musicians and audience members by providing beautiful classical and modern music in many forms and at many venues. When the pandemic hit, DMC was impacted on all fronts. Rehearsals ceased, concerts were cancelled, and the joy of making music together and sharing it with others came to an abrupt halt. Looking toward the next 85 years, DMC is re-imagining its programs, and finding new ways to bring music back to its beloved audienes through safe new formats. Stay tuned!
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| | Franklin Street Works—a nationally recognized nonprofit contemporary art space focused on bringing forward-thinking art practices and exhibitions to suburban Connecticut—is closing permanently due to financial pressures brought on by the COVID-19 health crisis. After almost 10 years of building community, mounting critically acclaimed exhibitions, and raising awareness of crucial social justice issues through exhibitions and 130 educational programs, the two-time Andy Warhol grant recipient shut its doors to the public for good on May 17, 2020. Read more...
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| | | The Greenwich Symphony Orchestra's search for a new conductor is proceeding under the leadership of GSO principals David Creswell and Diane Lesser. The original pool of 176 very talented applicants was reduced to twenty-nine by the second round of the search process. The search committee, composed of six board members and seven members of the orchestra, is engaged in a rigorous process to identify truly outstanding candidates who will bring their expertise and visions to the Greenwich community. At the conclusion of the search process, five finalists will be guest conductors for a subscription week in the '21-'22 season. "We are looking for an individual who will provide artistic vision and musical leadership as conductor, director, and community arts leader," says David Creswell, Principal Violist. |
| | | Congratulations to INTEMPO, winner of the Moffly Media 2020 Gold Coast of Connecticut Readers Pick for Music Lessons. The COVID-19 Pandemic has left children out of school for 10 weeks. Experts estimate that it will take two years for them to catch up on certain types of learning. INTEMPO is working to combat the music learning slide. Unlike children from affluent backgrounds, many of the organization's families cannot afford private tutoring and coaching, according to Director Angelica Durrell, who is focused on make music education relevant, accessible and inclusive. Learn more... |
| | | Mark Mathias received three 2020 CT Entrepreneur Awards: “Community Voting - Entrepreneur (Social Good)” award for his work at Remarkable STEAM. Mark was also named as an Honorable Mention in the “Judged – Entrepreneur (Social Good)” category. Remarkable STEAM received an Honorable Mention in the “Community Favorites – Event” category for producing Maker Faire Westport, now Maker Faire Connecticut. “To have the work we have been doing for 9 years be recognized as benefitting our state is quite an honor,” says Mark Mathias, president of Remarkable STEAM. |
| | | The Mark Twain Library will reopen on July 30 with abbreviated hours to help ensure the safety of visitors and staff. A plan has been developed for the reopening that closely follows the Connecticut Reentry Rules for Libraries, according to library officials. Visitors will be required to wear masks; the number of people in specific spaces will be limited; visits are limited to 20 minutes; and special hours have been set for 60+ and families among other regulations. Curbside pick up and home book delivery will continue. Learn more... |
| | | MoCA Westport, now re-opened with revised summer hours, is organizing a fundraiser in partnership with local artists to create limited edition cross-body messenger bags from their artwork. Artists include Amy Kaplan, Jay Petrow, Dale Najarian, Yvonne Claveloux (pictured right), Trace Burroughs, Jana Ireijo, Fruma Markowitz, Susan Leggitt, and Bethany Czarnecki. Additional artists to be announced soon. Bags will be available for purchase later this summer through the MoCA Westport Museum Shop (both in-person and online). In other news, MoCA Westport made its Thursday evening Sunset Sketch & Paint class free to nurses and first responders. |
| | The NEST Arts Factory is accepting applications for visual fine art studio space at its new building in the South End of Bridgeport. The new home of the NEST is a renovated corset factory built in 1907. Expected completion of the renovations is early fall 2020. The building will contain 41 loft-style art studios and a large gallery/performance space. Available studios range in size from 300 square feet to 750 square feet. To set up an appointment to view the available studios, please fill out an application on the Nest website.
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| | Stepping Stones Museum for Children received a Project Planning and Implementation Grant of $25,000 for its "We (Heart) America!" exhibit, a new immersive, exhibit experience that will allow children to explore everyday acts of democracy, civic engagement and citizenship through carefully-developed storylines that draw from the diversity of our state and country's perspectives, people, places and innovations. "The exhibit will also serve as a statewide platform to enable our youngest community members to learn from, and about, the diversity of the American experience and gain knowledge about and a greater appreciation for civic engagement and how everyone can make positive changes in their community," said Rhonda Kiest, President and CEO of Stepping Stones.
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| | | CT HUMANITIES AWARDS $135K IN CARES ACT GRANTS
Connecticut Humanities (CTH) recently awarded a total of $135,000 in operating support grants to 19 museums, historical societies, historic houses, and cultural organizations across the state. Awardees in our area include: The Barnum Museum (Bridgeport); Mary and Eliza Freeman Center for History and Community (Bridgeport); Stamford History Center Weston Historical Society; and the Wilton Historical Society. The CT Humanities Relief Grants were made possible with funding provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security CARES Act Emergency Relief program. Samantha Kulish-Fargione, Executive Director at the Weston Historical Society, says, “The CARES Act grant funding will help us defray the ongoing cost of utilities and upkeep to our historic site during this dire time. With little money coming in from events and fundraisers, assistance to cover even a portion of our overhead costs is graciously welcomed and desperately needed during this unprecedented time in history.” See Full List of Recipients... |
| | INTENTIONS TO VISIT REMAIN DEPRESSED, VARY BY REGION
With the lack of national health policies and various stages of reopening, regions are currently impacted differently by case count surges and policy reactions, according to Colleen Dilenschneider of Know Your Own Bone. "We’re seeing increases and decreases by region. This suggests that cultural entities may recover on different timelines in the long term, depending upon the behavioral norms that prevail in that region and how swiftly the virus can be controlled." The chart here compares intentions to visit cultural organizations as of July 31, 2019, and this last Saturday, July 18, 2020. You’ll note that one-week intentions to visit have not recovered – even in the states that have started to reopen their cultural institutions. On the whole and even for individual regions, these numbers are low – especially in states most impacted by increased coronavirus cases. Read full report... |
| | ONE-THIRD OF U.S. MUSEUMS MAY NOT SURVIVE THE YEAR
Museums seem like immortal places, with their august countenances and treasured holdings. Even in our TikTok era of diminishing attention spans, they draw more than 850 million visitors a year in the U.S., according to the American Alliance of Museums. But the coronavirus was not impressed, and the effects of the pandemic-related shutdown on the country's museums have been dire, says AAM President and CEO Laura Lott. In a survey released July 22 of 760 museum directors, 33% of them said there was either a "significant risk" of closing permanently by next fall or that they didn't know if their institutions would survive. Read full NPR Story... |
| | STUDY: 69% OF NONPROFITS CONSIDER LONG-TERM REMOTE WORK FOR EMPLOYEES Thirty-eight percent of U.S. nonprofits have either experienced or anticipate a decrease in headcount due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new survey from Nonprofit HR. Conversely, 9% of nonprofits had experienced an increase in headcount, and another 10% anticipate increasing headcount; 42% said they hadn’t experienced, nor did they anticipate, a headcount change. The survey polled 808 nonprofits from 43 states; 55% of responding organizations had a current headcount of 50 or fewer. Forty-six percent of respondents reported an annual budget of $4.9 million or less. A majority of nonprofits (69%) indicated that they can accommodate working from home for all staff; a similar majority (69%) said they are now contemplating remote work even after the coronavirus crisis passes. Read full study... |
| | LEVERAGING SMARTPHONE TECH TO PROTECT MUSEUM VISITORS Everyone is eager for a return to normal, which includes access to museums and other cultural venues. While countless people likely have been inspired and sustained by virtual museum tours these past few months, there is something very powerful about visiting galleries and venues and being in the presence of physical exhibits that many crave. Artist Maira Kalman says “a visit to a museum is a search for beauty, truth, and meaning in our lives,” and she advises us to “go to museums as often as you can.” What will museum visits be like as venues reopen in the context of the novel coronavirus and new public health safety guidelines? The answer might be found on your smartphone. Read full article... |
| | | | CT HUMANITIES QUICK GRANTS AUGUST 7
Connecticut Humanities is offering Quick Grants up to $4,999, through a streamlined application process --only one month from application to award notification. Quick Grants continue to help organizations create small-scale humanities programs that have big impacts on their communities. For the August 7, 2020, COVID-19 Quick Grant application deadlines, organizations are asked to submit grants for projects that address ways that they can best serve their community’s needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please contact CTH Manager of Grants and Programs Scott Wands to discuss your project idea or if you have any questions. Application information... |
| | VISUAL, LITERARY OR PERFORMNG ARTISTS NEEDED OCTOBER 16
The National Young Arts Foundation is encouraging artists, musicians, writers, performers, and filmakers 15- to 18-years of age or grades 10-12 to apply for its 2021 competition. Winners will receive Cash awards; Mentorship by accomplished artists; A lifetime of creative and professional support; A peer network of distinguished artists; Nomination for U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts; and National recognition. Applications require documentation and audition or portfolio materials by October 16, 2020. More information... |
| | CT OFFICE OF ARTS SEEKS PEER REVIEWERS
The CT Office of the Arts seeks peer reviewers for the Artist Fellowship Program. Application deadline is Sept 22 and reviews take place between October 2020 and February 2021. Learn more about the program at ct.gov/arts or email program manager tamara.dimitri@ct.gov. If you are interested, or you know of others, then complete and/or share the Artist Fellowship Reviewer/ Panelist Interest Survey available on the COA's website |
| | | | COLLABORATION BETWEEN EDUCATORS & HISTORICAL INSTITUTIONS
JULY 24
Join Connecticut League of History Organizations for Colleague CircleS. Teachers and local history institutions have a lot of common goals, and with online learning taking center stage these days, it's more important than ever for museums and schools to work together. During this online Zoom session, experienced teachers and museum educators will share strategies for fostering greater collaboration between historical institutions and schools. Register here... |
| | CYBERSECURITY: MANAGING RISK
AUGUST 18
Join Pro Bono Partnership for this "can't miss" webinar. Every nonprofit, regardless of its size, collects, stores, and uses data. But many organizations struggle with developing and maintaining strong data security practices and policies. To function during the pandemic, many organizations are relying on a remote workforce and may be serving clients remotely. Assessing data risks and implementing security measures can help organizations minimize the likelihood and severity of cyber-attacks and data breaches. Speakers will discuss your legal obligations and risk and provide practical guidance. Register here... |
| | CULTURAL EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE ARTS AUGUST 24
If you are ready to take the next step in your own understanding of the issues of cultural equity and social justice and are interested in learning effective approaches to dismantling inequity in the creative community, register for UMassAmherst Arts Extension Service’s Cultural Equity in the Arts online course starting August 24. Instructor Vicki Meeks brings decades of experience creating art about inequity and social justice, as well as 40 years of experience working as an arts administrator in the Dallas, TX area. The Cultural Equity in the Arts online course guides students to explore their personal biases and develop a deeper understanding of how to make the changes needed to better serve artists, institutions, staff and board, and communities. Sign up...
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| | REOPENING ARTS VENUES - SCIENCE-BASED SAFETY WEBINAR SERIES
The Dean of the Yale School of Public Health, Dr. Sten Vermund, and his extensive team in the public health sector, has partnered with the Shorline Arts Alliance to form a taskforce and create a series of online webinars titled Reopening CT Arts Venues: Science-Based Safety. The following webinars have been recorded and are available for viewing: 1. Preparedness, Consumer Confidence, Clarity for Constituents 2.) Risk Reduction Planning and Air Handling 3.) Clarity for Constituents. Opening Right the First Time! 4.) Site Visit Findings for Outdoor Venues & Museums and 5.) HVAC Basics; Q&As for Building Managers & Site Visit FIndings. Learn more...
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| | DON'T MISS A GOOD WEBINAR! |
| | For daily updated listings of relevant webinars, as well as the latest on re-opening guidelines, consult our Webinars & Reopening Guidelines & Rules page on our website.
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| | | | STAMFORD SYMPHONY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & EDUCATION MANAGER
The Stamford Symphony seeks an experienced arts professional and educationalist to lead its community engagement and education work to ensure the institution may have meaningful and effective engagement with the Stamford and wider Fairfield County communities. Stamford Symphony is beginning a new chapter in addressing all its promotions and activities through the lens of greater equality, diversity and inclusion, (EDI). It seeks to deliver inspiring opportunities to new audiences of all ages. This is a newly created position for a talented, self-starter who wishes to be part of re-imagining how a regional symphony orchestra can make a real and lasting impression on its community. Under the leadership of newly appointed Music Director Michael Stern, the Stamford Symphony is ready to move to a new level of engagement and participation. Resumes with covering letter may be sent to Russell Jones, President & CEO. jones@stamfordsymphony.org Full job description... |
| | LESLIE-LOHMAN MUSEUM OF ART EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art provides a platform for artistic exploration through multifaceted queer perspectives. We embrace the power of the arts to inspire, explore, and foster understanding of the rich diversity of LGBTQ+ experiences.The Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art seeks an Executive Director who will eagerly embrace the opportunity to move the Museum to its next level of growth and development. Having already secured $3.4 million toward its capital campaign goal, the Museum is poised to elevate its status locally and nationally. The next Executive Director must be energized by the opportunities for advancement, innovation, and visibility. Likewise, this individual will be a leader with a commitment to intersectionality and an understanding of the interplay of multiple subjectives within race, class, gender identity, politics, and the like with LGBTQ+ identities. Full job description... |
| | STAMFORD MUSEUM & NATURE CENTER P/T HUMAN RESOURCES
Responsible for the strategic development and alignment of all HR programs with Stamford Museum & Nature Center master planning initiatives, mission and strategies and reporting to the Executive Director & CEO and serving on the Director's Cabinet Team. This is a part-time, 20 hours per week position. Responsibilities include talent acquisition and development, policy and procedure development and implementation, staff manual updates, legal compliance, performance management, guidance, coaching & training of managers and staff, administration of all employee benefit programs, compensation updates, salary survey participation and processing of bi-weekly payroll. Ten+ years of professional HR experience required. Full job description... |
| | MARITIME AQUARIUM DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Inc. seeks a Director of Finance to lead the strategic direction, management and execution of its financial operations during a uniquely important time in its 32 year history. In addition to addressing the immediate financial challenges due to COVID-19, the Aquarium is currently undertaking major capital projects, and further is envisioning significant expansion of its education programs and conservation initiatives on behalf of the region and Long Island Sound, a nationally recognized ecosystem. The Director of Finance plays a central role in the overall success of the Aquarium, with the responsibility of managing business and financial strategies and practices to successfully fulfill the Aquarium’s ambitious mission, conduct the activities and programs hosted by the Aquarium, and achieve plans for future growth and expansion. Full job description... |
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| | 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. Donations are always very welcome and may be made here. In particular, we are grateful for support from: |
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