| | ORGANIZATIONS' NEWSLETTER News and Opportunities for the Cultural Nonprofits and Creative Businesses of Fairfield County, CT
July 28, 2017 |
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| | The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County is a nonprofit 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 this community of more than 550 individuals and organizations. Sign up here |
| | | | | Photograph, courtesy of Laura Schroeder |
| | PANEL DISCUSSES IMPLICATIONS OF ARTS DATA REPORT |
| Close to 100 citizens participated in our ARTS MEAN BUSINESS! presentation and panel discussion Tuesday July 25. As David Green presented the broad national and Fairfield County data from the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 study, Tamara Dimitri offered an overview from the CT Office of the Arts, followed by a wide-ranging set of presentations from Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, and State Senator Toni Boucher, Economic Development Directors Rina Bakalar (Trumbull), Mark Barnhart (Fairfield), Tom Madden (Stamford) and Elizabeth Stocker (Norwalk), cultural institution leaders Laurence Caso (The Klein), Kathy Maher (Barnum Museum), and John Reid (FTC), real estate developers Douglas Adams (SoNo Collection), and Kim Morque (Spinnaker) and corporate representatives Steve Lanzo (U.S. Trust) and Kelly O'Donnell (Pullman & Comley). The event was televised by The CT Network and can be seen here. Our own video, with transcript, is available on the Cultural Alliance YouTube channel here. A report on the discussion will be forthcoming.
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| | ARTISTS TALK SERIES LAUNCHES AT WESTPORT ARTS CENTERJoin us Friday night July 28 for the launch of our new ARTISTS TALK series of video-recorded artists' talks (+5-minute answers to questions) by artist members in close collaboration with Westport Art Center and its SELECTS 2017 juried exhibition. SELECTS 2017 curators, Charlotte Strick, Art Editor of The Paris Review literary magazine and Claire Williams Martinez, former Chapter President of AIGA will lead a panel discussion before the artists each talk about their work. Sign up here. |
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| ARIES PRODUCTIONSA Creative Business member Founder & President: Marge Stapor Costa Aries Video Productions is a full service production company, with over 30 years experience, specializing in the production of corporate and commercial videos. It was founded by Marge Stapor Costa in 1991 and since then has been helping many companies tell their stories. Aries works with corporations, municipalities, and non-profits, locally and nationally, on on-air, internal and external video projects. Marge has long experience in video production, working for CBS Television for ten years before starting the company. Marge has been teaching video production and desktop editing to school children in after school programs and summer camps through the Norwalk Afterschool Alliance and currently through the Carver Center. She has most recently worked on a project for herself, a documentary about illegal adoption from mother-baby homes in Ireland between the 1920s and the 1990s. My Name is Joan was accepted into 14 film festivals, winning six awards, including the Award of Distinction, Canadian International Short Film Festival; the Gold Award, Short Documentary Festival, Toronto; an award for a female filmmaker and the Humanitarian Award at Best Shorts Competition, California; Best Short Documentary, New Haven International Film Festival; and Best Short Documentary, Alliance for Women in Media Film Festival. See the Aries website, the My Name is Joan website and Facebook page. |
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| WALRUS & CARPENTER+ ROTHBARD
A Creative Business member Owner: Joe Farrell
Walrus + Carpenter brings a unique dining experience to the Black Rock neighborhood of Bridgeport. The restaurant began with the desire to offer a unique American experience from the mastery of southern-inspired smoking techniques to American craft beers, wines and liquors. The balanced menu of barbecue and southern comfort food is carefully prepared to be both flavorful, and memorable. Walrus + Carpenter was named Best Barbecue in Connecticut by the 2014 Readers’ Choice Awards in Connecticut Magazine and “voted one of the Best Restaurants in Connecticut for Barbecue, Craft Beer, and Cocktails by Connecticut Magazine for 2017, 2016, 2015, and 2014.” Joe Farrell was quoted in a 2015 New York Times review of the restaurant: “There’s a lot of energy in Black Rock. A lot of musicians, a lot of creative types.” When Farrell and his business partner Adam Roytman first decided to open Walrus + Carpenter, he said, "We figured it was a good idea to go where the artists go." Following on from the success of Walrus + Carpenter, the partners created Rothbard Ale + Larder, a premiere European Gastropub in Westport (90 Post Road E), as the sister restaurant to the American-themed Walrus + Carpenter. Rothbard offers dishes and drinks inspired by the Central European regions, including Alsace, Germany, Belgium and Switzerland. See the websites of Walrus + Carpenter and Rothbard |
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| | | CONCORDIA CONSERVATORY
Executive Director: Kathleen Suss
Concordia Conservatory – Stamford is a community music school with early childhood, youth and adult programs. The Conservatory, a division of Concordia College – New York, works to inspire, instruct and enrich lives through music, offering excellence in education and performance to all people regardless of age, ability, ethnic origin or financial situation. Staffed with a highly accomplished faculty, the Conservatory’s offerings include private music instruction in all instruments (including voice), group and chamber music instruction, music theory, ear-training, composition and songwriting, early childhood music classes, music and literature series at Fairfield County public libraries, chamber music series, and an honors music program. Concordia Conservatory - Stamford opens in September 2017 at St John's Lutheran Church, 884 Newfield Avenue. Download the 2017-18 course catalog here. See Concordia's website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel. |
| | ❖ See a List by Town of all Organization and Creative Business Members: here❖ See a List by Town of Artist Members: here
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| | | | ROUND-UP OF MEMBERS' NEWS |
| | The Barnum Museum has received a $15,000 grant from Fairfield County’s Community Foundation to present Barnum’s World of Wonders, a new exhibit opening in October, that will help the Museum create a new main floor exhibit "expanding our capacity to connect with audiences while we continue to restore the historic building,” said ED, Kathy Maher. The exhibit will give visitors a hint of what the future, renovated Museum exhibitions will be like, including a mysterious "warehouse" of items like Barnum would have had to constantly refresh his exhibitions in the American Museum that he operated in New York City. "People flocked to Barnum’s museum,” Maher said, “to see what intriguing new things he had discovered, and we want to evoke the same sense of curiosity Barnum inspired in his audience."
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| | Connecticut Humanities has announced the election of three new board members: Katherine Donovan of Bloomfield, Jason Kass of West Hartford, and Robert Svensk of Southport. These new board members join a board under new leadership as long-time board member Lawrence DeNardis was elected Chair in June. A member of the State Board of Regents for Higher Education and a former Congressman, he was recently awarded an Honorary Fellowship of Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) for creating transatlantic academic opportunities through a partnership between Southern CT State University and LJMU.
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| | The Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, (and the entire Connecticut preservation community) sadly bid leave to the Trust’s executive director, Daniel Mackay, in mid-July. Daniel joined the Trust in June 2015, following the 18-year term of Helen Higgins (now interim director of CT Humanities). He is leaving to accept the position of Deputy Secretary for Historic Preservation to lead the work of New York's State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). "In his brief tenure, Daniel's leadership and advocacy expanded the reach and identity of the Connecticut Trust," said Garry Leonard, Chairman of the Board. "He has furthered our goal of being the most effective statewide historic preservation organization in the nation, and will be missed." Jane Montanaro, Director of Preservation Services at the CT Trust, will serve as Interim Executive Director.
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| | The Fairfield Museum has spearheaded the revitalization of the historic Fairfield Town Green campus to create the Museum Commons - a dynamic regional destination connecting history, art, culture and community. Open Fri- Sun. 10am-2pm through Sept. 3, the Commons include new exhibitions in the Victorian Cottage (children's activities) and Barn (agriculture) (1888) and Sun Tavern (c.1780), in which more than 400 years of diverse stories are embedded.
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| | | Franklin Street Works (FSW) is preparing for its colorful and dramatic benefit September 16. Get Out! Making Art Public will honor Tamara Dimitri (at right), Public Art Program Specialist at the CT Office of the Arts for 12 years, where she has spearheaded more than 30 public art projects, and Chicago-based artist Cheryl Pope whose collaborative projects challenge dominant media and political narratives about life in Chicago. FSW is celebrating both for their "commitment to expanding contemporary art beyond the gallery and into the public sphere." |
| | New Paradigm Theatre’s young people, in preparing for their performance of Peter Pan at the Fairfield Theatre Company Aug. 26-27, were not only rehearsing with Grammy and Emmy Award-winning composer, arranger, and musical director Paul Bogaev, but they were out in the community - singing outside ShopRite in Milford, performing alongside PJ Pacifico at the Weston Historical Society’s Concert in the Barn concert series, singing at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Weston, and singing the Star-Spangled Banner at the Bluefish Game in Bridgeport, July 22.
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| | | Weston Historical Societyrecently received an 18th-century nursing rocker, that had been given to Ruhamah Wheeler by her husband, Benjamin Treadwell sometime between 1787 and 1789. It stayed within the family for seven generations, and was donated by Kathleen Wagner Bethell, the last remaining female in the family line, who traveled from her home in Bloomington, IN, to make the gift. It is intended to become part of the society's furniture collection. The chair, painted white in 1932, will be one of the society's oldest pieces, and is documented as having been made in Weston. "The chair will help tell the story of life in Weston, as the town was being founded after the American Revolution," said Susan Gunn Bromley, Executive Director of the Society, at right above.
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| SPENDING UP ON PERFORMING ARTS
Data from the Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account (ACPSA) show audiences for the performing arts are booming. In the NEA's Art Works Blog, Bonnie Nichols writes that despite dips during economic recessions, Americans are spending increasingly more to attend performing arts events. In 2014, personal consumption expenditures on admissions to performing arts events reached $28 billion—more than double the amount spent in 2000, after adjusting for inflation. Consumers spent $778 million to see dance performances and $2.2 billion on admissions to concerts by orchestras and chamber groups. In 2014, Americans spent more than $15 billion to attend non-musical plays. The biggest gains were in musical theater and opera performances. In 2014, consumers spent $3.2 billion in these areas: 3.5 times greater than in 2000. From 2000 to 2014, real consumer spending on musical theater and opera performances increased by an average annual rate of 8.7 percent—more than in spending for non-musical plays, concerts, or dance performances. See complete article here. Click charts below for larger images. |
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| Photos courtesy Bernie Weiss. Click for larger image Top Photo: Randy Skigen, Thomas Madden, Mayor David Martin, Jennifer Macintosh, Lou Ursone, Steven Kolenberg. Front: Valerie Cooper, Angie Durrell, Lisa Cuscuna, Marti Etter, Bonnie Wattles. Bottom: Jennifer Macintosh, Marti Etter, Lou Ursone, Bonnie Wattles. |
| | STAMFORD ARTS & CULTURE COMMISSION SWORN IN
The new Stamford Arts and Culture Commission was approved by the Board of Representatives on Monday July 10. A swearing-in ceremony and organizational meeting was held July 21 with the following members: Lynn Colatrella, Val Cooper, Lisa Cuscuna, Angie Durrell, Bonnie Wattles, Jennifer Macintosh, Mike Moran, Lou Ursone and Marti Etter. At its earlier June 8 meeting, members of the Commission had discussed possible areas for future work including creating committees on Technology, Marketing, Social Media, Membership, Fundraising (for collaborative projects), Strategic Planning and Education. The Commission is at work creating a website and possibly organizing a launch event to more broadly publicize the commission. Parallel to this, Thomas Madden, Director of Economic and Community Development announced that the City of Stamford is launching a community calendar initiative to improve communication with residents, visitors, and among the leadership of the City, working with Burbio.com, a free platform for non-profits and residents, where groups can set up their calendars on Burbio and the information can be used to create a community calendar for the City.
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PROTECT NONPROFIT NONPARTISANSHIP ADD YOUR ORGANIZATION'S NAME TO THE PROTEST LETTER
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee approved a FY2018 appropriations bill that includes an extraneous provision (rider) that would significantly weaken enforcement of the Johnson Amendment. This is the latest (but almost certainly not the last) attempt by politicians in Washington D.C. to politicize charitable nonprofits. These efforts will ultimately harm all nonprofits and the communities they serve. The House is likely to vote on the House Financial Services and General Government FY 2018 Appropriations bill, which includes the rider on the Johnson amendment (it's section 116 of the bill), after the August recess. It's also possible that members of Congress will try to slip provisions to repeal or weaken the Johnson Amendment into other important legislation in the coming months. Now is the time for community nonprofits to take action to preserve this public's trust in our organizations and the work we do. Two simple things your nonprofit can do today:
1. Check to see whether your organization is one of the nearly 150 nonprofits in Connecticut that has already signed on to the Community Letter in Support of Non partisanship.
2. If your organization has not yet signed on to the letter, please add your name. Members of Congress from both parties say that the number and diversity of nonprofits that have signed onto the letter is helping them see how important this issue is to nonprofits and communities. Share this message with other nonprofits in your network.
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STEM TO STEAM BILL INTRODUCED
On July 20, U.S. Representatives Jim Langevin (D-RI), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), and Elise Stefanik (R-NY) introduced the STEM to STEAM Act of 2017, H.R.3344, which would promote the integration of art and design into the National Science Foundation’s (NSF’s) Advancing Informal Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Learning program. See HR 3344 here.The bill introduction was announced at a joint briefing hosted by the Congressional STEAM and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucuses on the importance of integrating STEAM into CTE programs. "Art and design promote creativity and innovation, skills that are essential to the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics," said Rep. Langevin, co-chair of the Congressional CTE Caucus. “In order to maintain our economic competitiveness in the 21st Century, we need to cultivate innovation by educating our students so that they emerge as the most creative graduates on the planet." The bill directs the NSF to award grants to support the design and testing of informal STEAM programs to improve educational outcomes, advance the field of STEAM education, and promote creativity and innovation. Informal learning projects include afterschool programs; museums, nature labs, and other exhibition initiatives; and science and technology center community programs, among other out-of-school learning opportunities. “STEAM education engages students, teaches them valuable skills, and helps them become more creative," said Rep. Bonamici, co-chair of the Congressional STEAM Caucus. “I am pleased to partner with Congressman Langevin and Congresswoman Stefanik on the bipartisan STEM to STEAM Act, which leverages resources at the National Science Foundation to research and develop effective STEAM education programs that promote creativity and innovation." See complete notice here. |
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DATA ARTS OFFERS FREE DATA COURSES
Believing that "Data in Action Is Poetry in Motion," Data Arts (formerly the Cultural Data Project), was founded to bring the language and leverage of data to the business of culture and seeks to be a catalyst for data-informed decision-making. To encourage all of us to become more fluent with, and less afraid of data, data analysis and data management, Data Arts has assembled a set of free, online Data Essentials courses to get us all started on the road to data fluency. These free data essentials courses teach the basics of using data for decision-making, financial management, audience development, and arts advocacy. This fall, Data Arts will launch a new course on survey design. But meanwhile consider signing up for these free courses: Connecting the Dots: Audience Data Essentials - How to use data to attract and engage audiences and constituents, covering: Types of audience data and data capture techniques; Setting goals and measuring progress with key audience metrics; Segmenting your audience to more effectively engage constituents. American University's Andrew Taylor tells how to connect observation and action in more resourceful and powerful ways. Start with the Introduction, then choose the right track for you: Audience/Community Decisions; Operations/Financials Decisions; Advocacy/Casemaking; Connecting the Dots. Making the Case: Advocacy Basics for Arts Leaders - Drexel University's Julie Hawkins on the basics of arts advocacy, emphasizing the use of data, including: Building a relationship with elected officials; Using data to understand your position on important issues; Tips for strong messaging; Building an advocacy campaignStrength in Numbers: Financial Data Essentials - How to use data to manage your organizational finances, covering: Understanding financial health and decision-making with key financial metrics; Crafting financial plans aligned with organizational strategy and goals; and Understanding and calculating full program cost. |
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SECURITY FOR SPECIAL COLLECTIONS YALE UNIVERSITY SEPT 19
As part of the International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection’s Annual Security Conference hosted by Yale University Cultural Properties, a Security for Special Collection Librarians Workshop is being held Tues. Sept. 19, 8:30am-4:30pm at the Omni Hotel, New Haven ($195 full day registration, $135 for Yale staff). The keynote speaker is Michael Blanding, author of The Map Thief: The Gripping Story of an Esteemed Rare-Map Dealer Who Made Millions Stealing Priceless Maps, a NYT bestseller, and NPR Book of the Year, who, in addition to telling the story of map dealer–turned-criminal E. Forbes Smiley III, who stole more than $3 million worth of antique maps from rare-book libraries, will discuss the security and legal issues that emerged from this case. Other sessions include: How to Create and/or Supplement your Security Manual (Salvatore Caputo, University of Pennsylvania Libraries), Balancing Access and Security in Library Special Collections, (Peggy Schaller, Collections Research for Museums, Denver, Colorado); The Philosophy of Fire Protection, (Nick Artim, The Heritage Protection Group), Emergency Planning (Eileen Brady, Washington State University Libraries), Safe Handling of Special Collection Material (Christine McCarthy, Yale University Libraries), Performing a Security Audit on your Reading Room (Michael Bell, Yale University Libraries), Why People Steal from Special Collection Libraries (Lynn Ieronimo, Yale University), and How to Plan for and Maintain Security during a Construction Project, a panel discussion with Peter Yacono (Yale Center for British Art), John Pfannenbecker (Yale University Art Gallery), Jamie Harris (Yale University), and Tom Giola (Standard Builders Construction). Details and registration here. |
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DORIS DUKE FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIDGES GRANTS LOI SEPT. 8
The Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art is accepting Letters of Interest for its 2017-18 Building Bridges grants program. Grants of up to $300,000 over one to three years will be awarded for the planning and implementation of programs or projects that engage U.S.-based Muslim and non-Muslim populations in arts- and culture-based experiences that advance inter-cultural relationships and understanding. Projects or programs should offer engaging, immersive, and interactive experiences that may be conducted in collaboration with other organizations and that are tailored to the needs and interests of the intended audience(s). Competitive projects may include but are not limited to the development of new programs informed by past experience of successful artistic programming, including international programming and the expansion of existing programs that advance Building Bridges Grants Program goals. Projects must take place within the United States.Nonprofit organizations with operating expense budgets greater than $100,000 and at least $25,000 in arts-related programming are eligible to apply. Organizations with annual expense budgets between $100,000 and $500,000 may apply for grants of up to $125,000 (or no more than 25 percent of the annual expense budget). Organizations with annual expense budgets greater than $500,000 may apply for grants up to $300,000 (or no more than 25 percent of the annual expense budget). Letters of Interest must be received no later than September 8, 2017. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal by December 1, 2017.
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LEVITT FOUNDATION AMP MUSIC SERIES OCTOBER 2
The Levitt AMP Music Series was created in 2014 by the Levitt Foundation, a pioneer in the creative placemaking movement. Levitt AMP brings the joy of free, live music to people of all ages and backgrounds living in small to mid-sized towns and cities, transforming neglected public spaces into thriving community destinations. To that end, the foundation has issued a Call for Applications for its 2018 Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards program. Grants of up to $25,000 in matching funding will be awarded to a minimum of up to 15 U.S.-based nonprofits serving small to mid-sized towns and cities to present the Levitt AMP Music Series, 10 free concerts that inject new life into public spaces and create vibrant community destinations. Through online public voting, your votes determine the Top 25 finalists. To be eligible, all proposed Levitt AMP [Your City] Music Series must take place within the United States, in small to midsized towns and cities with populations of up to 400,000 people, or within a metro area with a population of no more than one million. In addition, applicants must display a successful track record of presenting professional quality concerts or community events, or apply with a partner organization or individual that has done so. Applicants must also demonstrate dollar-for-dollar matching funds from other sources such as foundations, municipalities, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, businesses, etc. The foundation will host an informational webinar on August 23, 2017, 2pm (EST): register for webinar here. See the Levitt Foundation website for complete grant guidelines, application instructions, and information about current grant recipients. Register to apply here. Application Deadline: October 2, 2017.
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GREENWICH LAND TRUST COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Communications Manager for the Greenwich Land Trust will work collaboratively with staff and organizational leadership to develop and implement communication strategies to broaden the impact of Greenwich Land Trust’s programs and events, promote organizational mission and oversee overall messaging and constituent services. Responsibilities include: Collaborate with GLT staff and organizational leadership to develop and implement a strategic communications plan to support the organization's mission, goals and objectives; maintain organizational style guide across all platforms; ensure accurate and consistent brand messaging on all communication; act as general press contact, and promote GLT programs, events, and accomplishments through press releases; manage all aspects of website; update events, media, land acquisitions, etc.; manage social media in relation to communication and development strategies; draft and disseminate the organization’s communications materials to contacts including newsletters, websites press releases, postcards, social media, surveys and special publications; coordinate with Development Manager to update email distribution lists for new members and volunteers; manage layout and content of publications including monthly e-newsletter and annual hard-copy newsletter and annual report; assist with program and event preparation and execution as needed; take photos as necessary to support communications and events materials; and other duties as assigned. Qualifications include: Bachelor’s Degree preferred in marketing, communications, public relations, science, or a related field; 5+ years of relevant work experience; excellent written, presentation, oral communication and interpersonal skills; experience writing about agriculture, science, conservation, the environment and other related topics. For complete job description click here.
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DAVID SCOTT PARKER ARCHITECTS MARKETING & OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
David Scott Parker Architects seeks a full-time Marketing & Office Administrator to join its small-but-growing firm in Southport. The ideal candidate is self-starting, proactive, resourceful, impeccably organized, and an excellent communicator. A background and/or demonstrable interest in architecture, historic preservation, and/or art history is crucial. Additional, desired skills and experience include: experience working in a fast-paced office environment in an administrative/ executive support role; strong collaborative spirit - must be able to easily navigate between and work with administrators and architects; exceptional research, writing, editing, and proofreading skills, including a basic knowledge of architectural jargon; ability to read architectural drawings and maps; strong command of Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word; proficiency in Adobe PhotoShop; light bookkeeping experience; able to confidentially maintain sensitive staff and client information; overall tech savvy. Rudimentary knowledge of HTML and experience using various social media platforms are huge bonuses. All applicants should review the office's online content here prior to applying. To apply, please submit your cover letter, resume/CV, and a writing sample (preferably research-based) as one PDF document to jwasilewski@dsparker.com. There is no page limit on the writing sample, however, please ensure all that the total size of your file is under 5MB and that you label it as “your last name – Office Admin 2017.pdf”. Do not send files with a .zip extension.
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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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