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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 |
| | | | CULTURAL ALLIANCE WELCOMES BOARD MEMBER HAROLD BAILEY
The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County welcomes Harold Bailey Jr., to its Board of Directors. Mr. Bailey is President of Aisha & Co. LLC, a family gift company, Senior Consultant for IBM Global Sales School, formerly CEO, Americas for Show Business Software, Ltd, and prior to his retirement as IBM's Vice President of Lotus Marketing Integration, he worked at IBM for 30 years in marketing, sales and services. He is a trustee emeritus of Brown University, his alma mater, from which he also received an honorary Ph.D. Mr. Bailey is a board member of the Westport Country Playhouse, and a founding member of the Stamford chapter of 100 Black Men. He received the Anti-Defamation League's Distinguished Community Leadership award in 2005. A leader and visionary in the community, Mr. Bailey was one of the founders and is current chair of TEAM Westport (Together Effectively Achieving Multiculturalism), established as an appointed board of the Town of Westport, to achieve “a more welcoming, multicultural community.” Harold, with his wife Bernicestine McLeod, was awarded the 2020 CAFC ACE Award for Citizenship |
| | ADGER COWANS JOINS CAFC ARTIST ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County is honored to add the prolific artist Adger Cowans to its Artists Advisory Council. Adger, a fine arts photographer and abstract expressionist painter, has experimented with a myriad of mediums over his artistic career. Renowned in the world of photography and fine art, his works have been shown by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, International Museum of Photography, Museum of Modern Art, The Studio Museum of Harlem, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Harvard Fine Art Museum, Detroit Art Institute, James E. Lewis Museum and numerous other art institutions. After attending Ohio University where he received a BFA in photography, Cowans furthered his education at the School of Motion Picture Arts, and School of Visual Arts in New York. While serving in the United States Navy, he worked as a photographer before moving to New York, where he later worked with Life magazine photographer Gordon Parks and fashion photographer Henri Clarke. Cowans was awarded the Lorenzo il Magnifico alla Carriera in recognition of a Distinguished Career at the 2001 Florence Biennale of Contemporary Art. He is the recipient of a John Hay Whitney Fellowship and the Martin Luther King, Jr., Cesar Chavez, Rosa Parks Visiting Scholars Award, Wayne State University. The book Personal Vision. Photographs. Adger Cowans was published in 2017. His work can currently be seen in Working Together: The Photographers of the Kamoinge Workshop, organized by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and currently at The Whitney Museum of Fine Art. |
| | MARCH SPOTLIGHT NOW AVAILABLE: WHAT'S NEW WITH PUBLIC ART IN OUR CITIES AND TOWNS |
| | This month's Spotlight on Arts & Culture radio show on WPKN 89.5 FM focused on "What’s New with Public Art in our Cities and Towns?" celebrating the opening of the Bridgeport Public Art Fund, whose mission is to provide resources, guidance, and hands-on support to create new public art trails in Bridgeport. Accompanying this announcement, you will also hear what's new on the Public Art front in three other towns. Our guests are: Phil Kuchma, Bridgeport, Marc Alan, Norwalk, Kathie Bennewitz, Westport, and Lynne Colatrella, Stamford. The Podcast is available here. Hear all past podcasts...
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| | CULTURAL ALLIANCE OFFERS PAID SPRING INTERNSHIP
The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County is offering an intern position this spring, which pays $15/hour; 5-10 hours per week and offers remote work. Internship Projects include Compiling Listing of Summer Camps Offered by Arts & Culture Members; Developing Initial Inventory of Artist Studio Spaces for Website; and Assisting with Outreach in relation to Connecticut Creative Futures Campaign. CAFC is a nonprofit membership service organization serving more than 550 individual artists, arts and culture nonprofits and creative businesses in the coastal Fairfield County region - from Greenwich to Shelton. For more information click here. Questions and letters of interest to info@culturalalliancefc.org |
| | | | CONNECTICUT SOCIETY FOR PORTRAIT ARTISTS
Founder & President Emerita: Jeanine Jackson
The Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists (CSOPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the classic art of portraiture through education. Portrait artists will find a supportive community of artists who are dedicated to creating fine art portraits in the realist tradition. Monthly membership meetings offer the opportunity for caring critiques by colleagues. Portrait exhibition opportunities, workshops and seminars by renowned master portrait artists are offered. CSOPA furthers the goals of the PORTRAIT SOCIETY OF AMERICA with all who desire to expand their knowledge of the fine art of portraiture. We will provide a forum for individual artist members to improve their craft, promote their work, and address concerns particular to portraitists in the Connecticut area. See CSOPA's Website, Facebook and Instagram pages |
| | NEW NORMAL REP
Artistic Director: Jack Canfora
Executive Producer: Sally Klingenstein Martell
New Normal Rep exists today not in spite of the pandemic that swept the world in 2020, but because of it. Born from a group of theater artists meeting weekly via computer to read plays as a sort of campfire in the dark desert of the 2020 plague, New Normal Rep is dedicated to presenting both new and underproduced plays via the internet, in ways that maintain the essential dramatic spirit and nature of both the works and the theatrical experience itself. Centering on works that explore the historical, cultural, and psychological forces that have helped to shape life in America and beyond in the 21st Century. We will look at these phenomena from a range of cultural, racial, and socio-economic perspectives that reflect our modern cultural tapestry. We will work with writers, actors, directors, and designers drawn from all corners of our modern, fractured world. We commit to anti-racism training, as well as partnership with BIPOC organizations. Diversity is a tenet of both our seasons and our companies. See NNR's website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages and YouTube channel. |
| | RARA - REAL ART REAL ARTISTS
Founder: Lisa Stretton
RaRa connects artists and their artwork to the community, providing an online directory of independent artists and galleries, searchable by location and filterable by type of art, theme, style, medium and price. An artist can create a member profile that allows an artist to have a searchable artist profile, giving them a page that includes all information about the artist; including a bio, a gallery of work, links to their email, social media, website, videos and appointment calendar. Consumers can purchase art directly through the website by doing a search for art for sale. Art events and shows can also be added to the website.
The website has integrated technology that allows a consumer to see a work of art in a photo of their room or in a staged space. See RaRa's Website, Facebook and Instagram pages and YouTube channel |
| | RISEUP FOR ARTS
Executive Director: Matt Conway
RiseUP for Arts is Connecticut’s only state-wide Public Art nonprofit with a mission to help communities imagine what’s possible. An outgrowth of The RiseUP Group, founded in 2012 in Hartford by a group of young professionals who realized that there is a lack of support given to our youth in urban communities, RiseUP launched its CT Murals program in 2015 in response to communities and local artists’ need for support in creating more vibrant and positive towns and cities across Connecticut. To date, RiseUP has supported over 25 mural projects and artists across Connecticut, partnered with over 20 organizations, and hosted 500+ volunteers in making mural projects come to life. RiseUP helps create the vision and manages the entire project, providing a full end-to-end mural and art service for businesses, nonprofits, and cities. RiseUP has recently launched the MLK39: Racial Equity Mural Tour to cover the state with murals highlighting national and local civil rights leaders. See RiseUp for Arts' Website, and Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok pages. |
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| | | | The Board of Trustees of The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum is pleased to announce that Diana Bowes was elected Board Chair at its most recent meeting. She succeeds Eric Diefenbach, Board Chair since 2012, who will remain an active trustee. Bowes, who resides in Westport, has been on The Aldrich’s Board since 2014 and has served as Vice-Chair since 2017. A longstanding member of the Fairfield County community, Bowes has worked on behalf of many educational, arts, and civic organizations in the area. A native of San Francisco, she has been an active collector and champion of contemporary artists for decades. |
| | | The New Canaan Society for the Arts has established a new scholarship award to support the educational costs of a Fairfield County, CT high school student who plans to major in art at an accredited College or University. The 2021 Carriage Barn Arts Center Scholarship has been established in honor of Dan Bergfeld, a past board member, sculptor and lifelong supporter of the arts who passed away in 2020. Qualified students may apply by May 1, 2021 at carriagebarn.org and the committee will announce the recipient on or about June 1, 2021. Contributions to the scholarship award can be made online. |
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The Discovery Museum - now renamed Sacred Heart University Discovery Science Center & Planetarium - will begin a phased-in reopening in June with brand new and updated exhibits, a more immersive planetarium and state-of-the-art facilities. In the meantime, the center continues to offer virtual programs. Renovations have been ongoing since the University assumed operation of the Bridgeport museum in January. The museum, situated at 4450 Park Ave., has a 62-year history of providing educational experiences in science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) to young learners through programs that inspire wonder and ignite creativity. For years, the former Discovery Museum & Planetarium promoted STEAM programs and access to education for all. “The Sacred Heart University Discovery Science Center & Planetarium continues to stand firmly behind that commitment,” said Erika Eng, executive director of the center. She noted that educational opportunities continued to be available even during the pandemic, including virtual programs such as STEAM activities, science demonstrations and tutorials for at-home experiments. See the new website (and details of a March 25 virtual dunfrasierl here. |
| | | Cultural Alliance member ECOoperative, planning the opening of its Eco-Friendly Creators Cooperative in downtown Fairfield, has a new opportunity for arts groups: purchase a shelf in the Co-op for 1 year for a creator of their choice for $1,000. So far, the creators signing up make products such as candles, soaps, pillows, home and lifestyle products, jewelry, jewelry, jewelry, and interesting gifts. ECOoperative is supported by SustainableCT and its fundraising page is here. |
| | To address a major gap in its permanent collections, The Fairfield University Art Museum (FUAM) is creating a fund dedicated solely to the acquisition of contemporary art by Black artists. FUAM Executive Director Carey Weber explained, “As an art museum, we believe that there is no better way to celebrate the excellence of Black history and culture than through art." Nearly all of the 1,700 artworks in FUAM’s permanent collection were originally received as donations over its 10-year history. Now the Museum is actively seeking both financial contributions and donations of museum-quality artwork to achieve greater representation and recognition of diverse artists and artwork. The museum is seeding this fund with $10,000 and will add an additional $10,000 on July 1st. The goal is to raise $40,000 in additional funds. Want to donate? Go here. FUAM is also planning two upcoming solo shows of Black artists: Carrie Mae Weems for fall 2021, and Adger Cowans, spring 2022. Above: Adger Cowans, Egg Nude, 1958, gelatin silver print, image 11 ½ × 17 3/16 inches. Image courtesy of the artist. For larger image, click here.
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| | | Congratulations to The Ferguson Library, Stamford, and The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk for making it to the Finalists List for the very prestigious 2021 National Medal from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the only Connecticut institutions to have made it to the list. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that demonstrate excellence in service to their communities. Since 1996, the award has honored 170 institutions that demonstrated extraordinary and innovative approaches to public service. Throughout March and April, IMLS will showcase the excellent community work of these institutions through its Share Your Story social media campaign. Anyone whose life has been touched by these museums or libraries is encouraged to share their memories and pictures and tag IMLS on Facebook and Twitter by using the hashtag #IMLSMedals. |
| | | The Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestras (GCTYO) has a new partner: MoCA Westport! And it will be holding its Concerto Competition there this Sunday. While the Orchestras have had a good collaborative relationship with WSHU for a few years, enabling the Concerto Competition to be held in WSHU’s new studios, space was limited and COVID brought many constraints. For a moment it seemed the competition could be held at SHU’s newly renovated Community Theatre in downtown Fairfield, but COVID again stepped in slowing down the reopening schedule of the Theatre. Enter MoCA Westport. MOCA has great space, has an established concert series and recently gave a new home to the Westport School of Music. GCTYO ED Beth Ulman had met MoCA Westport executive director Ruth Mannes at a CAFC ED meeting, and Ruth quickly welcomed GCTYO and the Concerto Competition to the space for the competition to be live-streamed this coming Sunday, March 21. |
| | For INTEMPO's students, music has been that activity—the expressive outlet through which they are giving voice to complex feelings and thoughts. “A Different World” is a song composed, performed, and recorded by the middle and high school students in the digital audio production program, INTEMPO Tech. “A Different World” was submitted to Carnegie Hall’s In Response project, which is part of its Voices of Hope online festival featuring new music written by creators across the country. Every special effect, melody, sound sample, and loop you hear is 100% their creation. Listen here...
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| | | Kids Empowered by Your Support (KEYS) has announced two new members of its Board of Directors. Wilton resident Andrew Foote (pictured) has 15 years of experience working with investment firms as a specialist in commodities trading. Andrew learned about Connecticut’s school “performance gap” when a friend invited him to an Achievement First open house fifteen years ago. Since then, he has been interested in education policy reform. Darien resident Max Jellinek has also joined the KEYS Board. He has been working in technology and finance for nearly 25 years. Max is a very passionate musician and continues to play original music with his band across the greater New York City area. |
| | | Following the recent announcement that capacity limits for cultural organizations would be lifed as of March 19, the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk prepares to welcome additional guests with special COVID-19 protocols in place. On March 13, 2020, The Maritime Aquarium became one of the first aquariums in the country to close because of the pandemic. The Aquarium quickly pivoted to offer live, virtual educational programs, which have continued – and expanded – since its reopening June 20. In addition, work continued on simultaneous construction projects to build the new 4D theater, which opened in January, and a new 150,000-gallon seal exhibit, which is expected to open in May. In other news, the Maritime Aquarium has been named one of 30 finalists for the 2021 National Medal from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. |
| | | MoCA Westport has announced the appointment of five new members to its Board of Directors. New members include Paul Efstathiou, Elizabeth Gorayeb, Pamela Hovland, Jennifer Kanfer and Samantha Yanks. Building on the success of last summer’s outdoor concerts, MoCA Westport has also announced a new Music at MoCA Concert Series featuring a diverse line-up of thirteen Jazz, Pop, and Classical performances. Its spring exhibition, Smash, featuring Marilyn Minter, will open to the public on April 2. |
| | The Norwalk International Cultural Exchange (NICE), has announced the return of its Festival, slated for Saturday, July 10, 2021. The NICE Festival is a collaborative program with the City of Norwalk Department of Recreation and Parks, the Norwalk Arts Commission and is run under the auspices of NICE INC., a non-profit 501 c3 organization that seeks to promote and increase awareness of the diversity of peoples from around the world through arts and culture. To learn more and to donate...
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| | Silvermine Arts Center is pleased to announce that Tara von Schmidt has joined Silvermine as Arts Education Manager. Tara will be responsible for the planning, development and delivery of Silvermine’s education programs in the School of Art with the goal of increasing and engaging a diverse audience base while determining opportunities for continued growth.
Tara comes to us from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, where she was Program Manager responsible for the management of all arts programs, classes, and events that occurred on their 52 acres. Tara has an Arts Management degree and many years of professional experience within the arts - performative, visual, and educational, as well as extensive experience with cultural non-profits. |
| | The Stamford Art Association (SAA) and the CT Society of Portrait Artists (CSOPA) are collaborating on a joint virtual exhibition of original art ranging from classic portraiture to abstract expressionism: The Artistic Celebration of Motherhood running May 1-30. SAA director Christine Ranhosky and CSOPA founder Jeanine Jackson met when first organizing the Stamford ArtWalk with Stamford Downtown when Jeanine was involved in a pop up gallery on Bedford Street. The SAA, interested in partnering with other community art groups, came back to CSOPA through painter Barbara Mathis, on the board of SAA and a member of CSOPA. This is proving a natural fit - expanding the number of participating artists and patrons. Each organization will display the exhibition online and a pop up gallery at 96 Bedford Street will show selected work from the exhibit.
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| | | | WOMEN AND GIRLS IN THE ARTS MONTH
A year ago, a committee was formed within the Governor’s Council on Women and Girls that was tasked with shining the spotlight on women and girls in the arts. As a result, an exciting, multi-platform social media effort was launched, coinciding with Women’s History Month. Every day this month, a different female artist will be showcased on social media. The featured artists are diverse in every sense of the word. They represent both current and historic figures. They include performers, authors, visual artists, and designers. Many of these talented women have their roots right here in Connecticut!. Like, Share, Comment on these posts. This far-reaching initiative serves to inspire women and girls throughout the State of Connecticut to embrace their artistic talents. Facebook Page – @WomenandGirlsintheArts; Instagram – WomenandGirlsintheArts; Twitter Handle - @WomenGirlsArts.
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| | CONNECTICUT CREATIVE FUTURES CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED
No matter what kinds of artist you are, you can create your own creative future. A new six-month partnership with the Connecticut Office of The Arts and the Connecticut Department of Education is forming Connecticut Creative Futures, an arts-based initiative designed to highlight Connecticut artists and careers in the arts and offer hands-on arts projects for all students and their families. The goal of Connecticut Creative Futures is to develop creative thinking skills and promote careers in all facets of the arts industry, which continues to have a major impact on the Connecticut economy. Students will have the opportunity to take three online arts learning activities and enter their work in the Connecticut Creative Futures Art Contest, scheduled to begin in April. Learn more... |
| | OBTAINING GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Government funding for museums and the arts has been declining in recent decades, as TrendsWatch 2020 discusses, but it remains a viable way to fund educational programming. As TrendsWatch notes, “there are 26 federal grant-making agencies, with more than 900 programs that can fund museum work.” During the pandemic, PPP loans have joined these longstanding grant programs as sources of federal funding that can support museum education. But though this funding exists, the process of applying for it can be overwhelming and intimidating, especially for small museums. To help demystify that process, this post features insight from a federal grant specialist into the application development and review process for one particular grant program—IMLS Inspire! Grants for Small Museums—and case studies of a few organizations that have successfully navigated it to expand educational programming. What are the keys to success? Read AAM Article...
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| | THE ALCHEMY OF HIGH-PERFORMING ARTS ORGANIZATIONS OF COLORIn 2020, The Wallace Foundation and SMU DataArts released The Alchemy of High-Performing Arts Organizations Part II: A Spotlight on Organizations of Color, a report that examined the question: How do high-performing arts organizations achieve financial health? In Part II, researchers focused on arts organizations of color to examine how 21 arts leaders viewed the reasons for their success, along with the distinct challenges they face. The study was based on interviews with 11 arts organizations of color in dance, music, theater and multi-disciplinary performing arts, and 10 community-based arts organizations. Interviewees in this study also identified a number of challenges that arts organizations of color face, specifically: racism, gentrification, lack of equitable access to funding. Read full report... |
| | MUSEUMS CREATE NEW INCLUSION, EQUITY AND BELONGING POSITIONS
For the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the reckoning followed a field trip gone awry. In the spring of 2019, a group of middle schoolers, all students of color from the Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy in Dorchester, Massachusetts, were treated to a visit to the museum as a reward for good grades and good behavior. There, they were allegedly greeted with racist invective and profiled by museum staff and fellow visitors alike. According to Academy teacher and chaperone Marvelyne Lamy, a museum employee told the children that “no food, no drink, and no watermelon” were allowed in the galleries. In an impassioned Facebook post uploaded after the visit, Lamy also described in detail how the students were harassed by fellow museumgoers and tailed closely through the galleries by museum security, who reprimanded them disproportionately compared to white students visiting from another school. She swore she would never go back to the MFA. Read ARTnews Article...
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| | | | AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT PROVIDES ECONOMIC RELIEF TO HUMANITIES/ARTS ORGANIZATIONS
The National Endowment for the Humanities will receive $135 million from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act to distribute to cultural institutions affected by the pandemic. According to NEH Acting Chairman Adam Wolfson. Approximately 40 percent, or $54 million, will go directly to NEH’s local affiliates, the state and jurisdictional humanities councils, to allow for accelerated distribution of funds to local humanities organizations and programs around the country. In order to apply for a grant from NEH, eligible organizations must pre-register with SAM.gov and Grants.gov. As this registration process can take several weeks, organizations are strongly encouraged to start the registration process immediately to ensure they can apply. Step-by-step instructions on how to register are available on the Grants.gov website.
The State Library Administrative Agencies (SLAAs) will designate $200 million in pandemic response funding which comes from ARP. The forthcoming grant awards will support the vital programs and services these institutions provide to their communities, including those they were able to offer in new capacities throughout the past year. Read more...
The National Endowment for the Arts will also be providing grants through ARP, in the sum of $135 million. Details on eligibility guidelines and how to apply is expected to be available late April. ARP and the Arts and Creative Industries FAQs. |
| | NEA WEBINAR: THE ART OF REOPENING MARCH 23
How arts organizations can reopen their venues in 2021 is the topic of a webinar, March 23, 3-4pm, presented by the National Endowment for the Arts with special guest Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the National Institutes of Health. The event is based in part on the NEA’s report The Art of Reopening: A Guide to Current Practices Among Arts Organizations During COVID-19 that was published in January 2021. Panelists include: Scott Altman, president & CEO, Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati, Ohio; Chloe Cook, executive director, Sidewalk Film Center & Cinema, Birmingham, AL; Rebecca Read Medrano, co-founder and executive director, GALA Hispanic Theatre, Washington, DC. Register here... |
| | CALL FOR COLLABORATION ART manIFESTation
The ART maniFESTation is your invitation to indulge in a creative, experiential weekend that unifies and highlights Connecticut’s creativity. This two-day Norwalk festival will feature mural competitions, interactive art installations, workshops, live music and entertainment, an eclectic vendor market, and more. The ART maniFESTation is a collaborative project curated by MAD Lab, RiseUP for Arts, and Connecticut’s creative community, with the end goals of: unifying Connecticut’s Creative Community; enhancing the Wall Street Historic District with NEW public art murals and experiences; creating paid work opportunities for Connecticut-based creatives; and increasing pedestrian traffic throughout Downtown Norwalk. Learn more...
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| | ELIZABETH L. MAHAFFEY ARTS ADMINISTRATION FELLOWSHIP APRIL 2
The Elizabeth L. Mahaffey Arts Administration Fellowship provides funding to individuals to pursue professional development opportunities in field of arts administration. Arts administration is the field that concerns the business operations of an arts organization, including but not limited to staff management, public relations, marketing, budget/fiscal management, board development, fundraising, program development and evaluation. The Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) is committed to expanding opportunities for individuals to participate in the arts as creators, arts administrator, and audience members. As part of the 2021 Elizabeth L. Mahaffey Arts Administration Fellowship, COA will focus on individuals who are of groups that are traditionally underrepresented in arts administration roles. Individuals must submit an application using the on-line SurveyMonkey Application platform. Deadline: Applications are due Friday, April 2, 2021. |
| | CALLING ALL INNOVATORS: JMK INNOVATION PRIZE APRIL 30
Applications are now open for The J.M. Kaplan Fund’s 2021 J.M.K. Innovation Prize. Now in its fourth cycle, the Prize seeks to identify, support, and elevate innovators who are spearheading transformative early-stage projects in the fields of social justice, the environment, and heritage conservation. Ten applicants will receive a cash award of $150,000 over three years, plus $25,000 in technical assistance funds, for a total award of $175,000. Awardees also receive guidance through the Fund and its resource network, including twice-yearly convenings with their Prize cohort and tools and training that can help turn innovative ideas into life-changing social impacts. Applications are due by April 30, 2021. Learn more ... |
| | | | UMASS ARTS EXTENSION SERVICE OFFERS SUMMER ONLINE CLASSES
In our current landscape, tackling the challenges that arts and cultural organizations are facing takes creative and innovative thinking. Lead the change in the field by building your expertise through the Arts Extension Service’s classes in Arts Management this summer with University of Massachusetts Amherst 100% online courses, including Introduction to Arts Management; Arts Fundraising; and Grantwriting for the Arts. These courses are led by renowned faculty who have extensive backgrounds in the field will bridge the gap of the experiential to the practical for aspiring and practicing arts managers, non-profit leaders, and creative practitioners. Register here... |
| | CLHO WEBINAR: CREATING ONLINE EXHIBITS MARCH 23
You have all the content—objects, costumes, images, documents. Maybe you've digitized some things, or you've taken photos or videos with cell phones, iPads, or cameras. Now what? Three panelists will walk you through how-to steps and share tips from their experiences using different platforms such as Omeka, PowerPoint with audio recordings and YouTube videos. You'll learn how you can create an engaging virtual exhibit experience for your online visitors. There will be time for questions and to share other virtual exhibit tips. This workshop is offered in collaboration with CT Humanities and supports work in the collections, interpretation, audience and management phases of AASLH's StEPs program. Panelists: Beth Rose, Executive Director, Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford; Rebecca Parmer, Head of Archives & Special Collections, UConn Library; Melissa Feliciano Erickson, Manager of Museum Services, Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum. Register here... |
| | YOU CAN'T WIN A NEA GRANT IF YOU DON'T APPLY WEBINAR MARCH 23
Hosted by Southeastern Connecticut Cultural Coalition, National Endowment for the Arts, and Office of Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), this webinar will walk you through the NEA Grant application process. More than an information session, this interactive event features breakout rooms for individual NEA grant programs to help prepare and get you ready to submit an application. First-time federal grant applicants encouraged to attend. Free of charge. Sign up here... |
| | CARING FOR MUSEUM COLLECTIONS: ONLINE COURSE MARCH 22-MAY 16
This eight-week course, sponsored by the American Association for State and Local History, will deal with the physical care and preservation of your museum collections. This practical course will cover how collections age and deteriorate, handling collections, storage requirements, environmental considerations, housekeeping, and risk management. Each week of this course contains a narrative discussion of a topic in the form of Lessons. The lessons and web-based readings, combined with your professional experiences, will provide you with a grounding in the week’s topic. Participants must have access to an archives. Register here... |
| | #AAM2021 VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEETING & MUSEUMEXPO: REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
The AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo brings together museums of all types and sizes—from art and history museums to zoos and botanic gardens—to share ideas and make connections that are transformative. It’s a place where all museum professionals learn from one another, create partnerships, and leave inspired to make an impact on their museums, communities, and the world. The 2021 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo is taking place virtually May 24 and June 7-9. Registration for #AAM2021 is now open. Scholarships are also available. Learn more...
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| | | | ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATOR & VISITOR EXPERIENCE SPECIALIST STAMFORD MUSEUM & NATURE CENTER
Reporting to the Stamford Museum and Nature Center Environmental Education Supervisor, the Environmental Educator & Visitor Experience Specialist position is a full-time, non-exempt position working one weekend day and three weekdays from 8am-6pm (36 hours) from September-mid June and one weekend day and four weekdays from mid-June-August, although some early/evening hours and weekend days per month (outside of regularly scheduled special events) will be required. This position will be responsible for teaching a variety of natural history and farm-themed school and after school programs for groups, primarily aged preK-5th grade and will also aid in the teaching and development of our scout offerings, public programs, and nature birthday parties. This position will also be responsible for creating robust on-site and web-based educational materials focusing on the various aspects of the SM&NC that will enhance individual and self-guided group experiences during visits. See all SMNC job descriptions... |
| | MUSEUM ATTENDANTS ALDRICH ART MUSEUM
The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum seeks part-time employees to serve as Museum Attendants, the Museum’s highly trained, knowledgeable, and approachable gallery staff. Currently we are specifically looking to fill weekend shifts on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Museum Attendants are required to be regularly available for and proficient in a range of services and duties, including, but not limited to: Visitor Experience, engage with the public to ensure a positive experience for visitors of all ages and at all levels of familiarity with contemporary art. Full job description... |
| | ANNUAL MEETING & MUSEUM EXPO SOCIAL MEDIA JOURNALIST
Are you an innovative or engaging social media content creator? Applications are now open to be #AAM2021 Social Media Journalists (SMJs), who help attendees and non-attendees alike connect with Annual Meeting conversations. SMJs receive complimentary registration to #AAM2021 and a $150 stipend. Apply by March 24, 2021. See job description... |
| | MEMBERSHIP MANAGER BRUCE MUSEUM
The Bruce Museum is searching for a Membership Manager who will be responsible for leading the Membership program through a wide range of acquisition/retention programs, including managing operations/correspondence; creating copy for all membership collateral material; and implementing strategic membership acquisition opportunities. Upon joining the Development team, the Membership Manager will have an exciting opportunity to shape the future of the Bruce Museum’s Membership program at an inflection point in the Museum’s history, as the New Bruce expansion and renovation project is currently under way. Scheduled to open in Fall 2022, the New Bruce will be double the size of the existing Museum, with new state-of-the-art exhibition, education and community spaces, including dramatically expanded galleries for art and science exhibitions and enhanced spaces for hosting schoolchildren, families, and community groups. Full job description... |
| | BROOKFIELD CRAFT CENTER EXHIBITION CURATOR
The Brookfield Craft Center (BCC) was founded in 1952 and is recognized as one of the core fine craft schools in America. The center, incorporated in 1954 is a 501(c)(3) organization, offering classes and workshops in glass arts, woodturning, ceramics, jewelry, blacksmithing, fiber arts, drawing and painting, digital arts and other creative endeavors for children and adults taught by professional faculty. As part of these continuing efforts, Brookfield Craft Center is planning to host an exhibition to provide artists in the BIPOC community the opportunity to display and sell their works. To facilitate this Open Call, BCC is eager to work with an individual from the black or indigenous community to curate this exhibition, scheduled to open June 2021 and slated to be installed in our Brookfield, CT gallery and be presented virtually as well. The curator will receive a stipend for their work. Interested individuals should send a cover letter and CV by March 20th to Howard Lasser at: director@brookfieldcraft.org |
| | FAIRFIELD MUSEUM VISITOR ENGAGEMENT & DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER
The Visitor Engagement and Digital Media Manager for the Fairfield Museum and History Center is responsible for managing both the on-site and on-line visitor experience at the Fairfield Museum. The position oversees the Museum’s social media channels, content management systems and website to increase brand awareness, expand organizational visibility, encourage community engagement, and inform our audiences about the Museum’s activities. The Visitor Engagement and Digital Media Manager also greets and assists visitors on-site, answers phone inquiries, and ensures a safe, enjoyable visitor experience. Please email a cover letter and resume by April 9, 2021 to: search@fairfieldhs.org. |
| | RIDGEFIELD LIBRARY ADULT PROGRAM COORDINATOR
The Ridgefield Library seeks a creative, energetic, focused self-starter with strong communication and technology skills to join our staff as the full-time Adult Program Coordinator. This position supports the successful operation of the Library by planning, organizing, promoting, and executing a wide variety of high quality, diverse and relevant programs and classes -- generally more than 600 each year -- for adults that reflect the Library’s mission to be “an essential partner and the place where people go to discover, question, learn and connect.” The Adult Program Coordinator operates under the direct supervision of the Adult Services Department Head and supervises the work of the Adult Program Assistant. Physical requirements include ability to lift up to 40 pounds and ability to push and pull objects weighing up to 80 pounds on wheels. Bachelor’s degree and three year’s relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience required. Starting salary is $50,000/year with an attractive benefits package. This is a full-time position scheduled for 35 hours per week. Must be available to work a flexible schedule that regularly includes evenings and weekends. Deadline March 31. More information available here. |
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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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