| News and Opportunities for the Cultural Nonprofits and Creative Businesses of Fairfield County, CT March 30, 2019 |
| | The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County is a nonprofit membership service organization that supports its members through unified marketing, capacity building, professional development, and advocacy services. This newsletter is sent to all who request it, but we ask that, if you are not a member, you explore membership benefits and consider joining. Find out more and sign up here. |
| | | | MEMBERS: PLEASE REGISTER ON OUR WEBSITE |
| | 385 of our 600 members have now created profiles on the new integrated Cultural Alliance website - please join them! In order to post an event on FCBuzz Events, you need to register on the website as if you are a new member, using the same email address you used for the old FCBuzz site as your contact email (call us if you are unsure what address that is). Call 203-212-6894 or email with any questions.
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| | | Next Spotlight: Mon. April 8 - WPKN Connecting Our Towns To Support Bridgeport's Young People Laurence Caso, Frank Derico, Pam Lewis, Rob Silvan |
| | As we know, Fairfield County ranks first in income disparity among the 100 largest U.S. metro areas: the top 5 percent of earners make 18 times that of the poorest (bottom 20 percent). DataHaven's landmark "Community Wellbeing Index 2016" graphically showed how disproportionately bad Bridgeport's community index and personal wellbeing index were (p.8 of the report; download image here). In a state with no county government to ameliorate wide disparities, how do the wealthier towns help out the more troubled? There are many arts organizations based in Bridgeport that have residents of other towns on their Boards. How are other towns banding together to support Bridgeport - and in particular the young people of Bridgeport. In our next monthly live interview show, Spotlight on Arts & Culture, hear from three of many organizations who do this (Neighborhood Studios, Connect-Us, and K.E.Y.S.) and one place where many of them gather (The Klein). Tune in Mon. April 1, at noon to WPKN 89.5 to hear what they do and what more we could all do to help Bridgeport's youth thrive and prosper.
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APRIL 8 RESERVE YOUR SEAT FOR CHRIS WIGREN: CONNECTICUT ARCHITECTURE: STORIES OF 100 PLACES |
| | Sign up for the next meeting of the Fairfield County Preservation Network, which is open to the public and which will celebrate the architecture of Connecticut with Christopher Wigren, author, architectural historian, and deputy director of the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, who will discuss his well-received new book Connecticut Architecture: Stories of 100 Places. The meeting will be hosted by the Norwalk Historical Society at its Mill Hill Museum site and will take place Monday April 8, 6-8pm. Connecticut boasts some of the oldest and most distinctive architecture in New England, from Colonial churches and Modernist houses to refurbished 19th century factories. In his guide to this rich and diverse architectural heritage, Wigren introduces readers to 100 places across the state. Written for travelers and residents alike, the book features buildings visible from the road. Sign up for this free event here. |
| | ❦ – Latest List by Town of Organization and Creative Business Members: here
❦ – Latest List by Town of Artist Members: here
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| | | | BLENDS GALLERY BRIDGEPORT
Owner: Colorblends Curators: Jahmane, Michael J. Clocks and Aishah Nailah
BLENDS is a new gallery, specializing in "urban contemporary art," that opened in November 2017, in the building at the corner of Main Street and Golden Hill Street in downtown Bridgeport, owned by Colorblends. It got started when Tim Schipper, co-owner of Colorblends, the century-old importer of tulip bulbs to a warehouse on Barnum Avenue, came across artists Jahmane and Michael J. Clocks painting outdoor murals for the owners on buildings across the street that were undergoing major redevelopment. Impressed by their work, Schipper asked them to paint a mural for his building. Schipper also operates the Colorblends House and Spring Garden on Clinton Avenue, where Michael J. Clocks became resident artist, overseeing spring-time pop-up exhibits. Stored in the basement are artifacts that tell the story of the tulip, from its origin in the Tian Shan mountains to the fields of the Netherlands. Jahmane said they didn't have to call the downtown building "Blends," but it just so happens that blends is a graffiti term - and Jahmane started his career as a graffiti or street artist himself. The idea for the gallery is to bring street art indoors and to show "evolved urban art or evolved street art." The future of the gallery is unclear, but Schipper enjoys having a gallery and the number of shows is ramping up. Every last Saturday of the month the Bridgeport Flea Market takes place at Blends, starting March 30, 12-5pm. The Aim Higher Together Bridgeport campaign launched at Blends March 28, and coming up is a two-person show of Meighan Morrison with Clyde Theophilus McLaughlin: Shades of Black and Blue. See Blends Gallery Facebook page and Instagram feed. With gratitude to Joel Lang and his piece Urban Vibe, in the CT Post Nov. 9, 2017. |
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| WAKEMAN TOWN FARM WESTPORT
Farm Director: Corey Thomas
The Wakeman Town Farm has a rich agricultural history as one of the oldest family farm properties in Westport. A third-generation farm, owned by the Wakeman Family, it was the site of a thriving agricultural operation and popular farm stand. Today, it has been brought back to life as a community farm and educational demonstration center for sustainable living, owned by the Town of Westport for the benefit of all its citizens. The Town Farm won a 2017 Historic Preservation Award from the Westport Historic District for the restoration of the c. 1900 farmhouse, Peter Wormser, architect. Work included reconstruction of the original front porch, replicating its turned posts, a gabled roof replacing a shed dormer on the second floor addition, and the addition of a 1,500 square foot glass-enclosed educational kitchen and classroom ("Tim's Kitchen"). It provides a place to experience hands-on homesteading practices, including both traditional and cutting-edge techniques, such as composting, succession planting, solar and wind power technologies. The Farm offers a wide array of educational programs in agriculture, land stewardship and animal husbandry inspiring the community to unite for the mutual benefit of a healthy environment and a more sustainable future. Activities include educational workshops, student internships, after-school environ-mental clubs, children’s summer camp programs, growing fruits and vegetables, animal husbandry, providing a farm stand and CSA pickup location. Upcoming events include an April 8 talk by Bill Kenny, landscape architect, on "Going Native – The How & Why of Native Plants in the Landscape" and Wakeman's 2nd Annual EGGStravangaza for the whole family on Easter weekend, April 20. See timeline and history of Wakeman; its website, Facebook and Instagram pages. |
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| | | | | ROUND-UP OF MEMBERS' NEWS |
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Carol Leahy, Westport, who won the Janet Jainschigg Award for Preservation Professionals for her work as the staff person responsible for the Town of Westport’s Cameron Henry, Greenwich, who won the Mimi Findlay Award for Young Professionals for his work successfully nominating multiple Greenwich projects for statewide preservation awards, helping create preservation plans for an 18th-century grist mill and one of Greenwich’s oldest houses, and joining the board of the Greenwich Preservation Trust. Greenfield Hill Cemetery, Fairfield, that won an Award of Merit for its cemetery restoration - Since 2016 volunteers led by Jeffrey Taylor have been restoring the Greenfield Hill cemetery, the resting place of early settlers, Revolutionary War soldiers, and community leaders. They have cleaned, restored, and re-set 300 of the cemetery’s 900 gravestones, which can weigh between 160 and 1,000 pounds. Greenwich Historical Society, that won an Award of Merit for its restoration of “Toby’s Tavern”—immortalized by artist Childe Hassam—for use as a visitor center and by constructing a new archives and gallery complex, its design inspired by former outbuildings on the site. These structures further the society’s mission and revitalize a place that inspired Impressionist artists. Tickets for the Awards Ceremony can be purchased here. |
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Franklin Street Works has named Carole Southall as its next Executive Director. Carole, who lives in Wilton, comes to the position from Westport Country Playhouse, where she was Director of Development, responsible for 55% of the Playhouse's $5million dollar budget, and cultivated a $3 million donation, the largest in Playhouse history, that launched its endowment fund. Known for her creativity and strategic vision, Carole has worked at several prestigious non-profits, including the National Parks Conservation Association, UNICEF, and Lincoln Center Theater. Prior to her work in development Southall attended University of Washington in Seattle where, as an undergraduate, she studied printmaking with Jacob Lawrence and, later entered its Museum Studies Masters program. Franklin Street Works has a growing national reputation, receiving critical acclaim for its exhibitions, and two major grants from The Andy Warhol Foundation, among other kudos. Carole Southall succeeds Bonnie Wattles, who helped Franklin Street Works achieve double digit audience growth, cultivate a strong and diverse base of funding, and significantly expand the role of the board during her tenure as Executive Director. More... |
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Stamford Symphony welcomes Dr. Janey Choi has been appointed as its first Director of Community Engagement and Education. Her initial challenge is to re-imagine the strategy for all the community and education work that the Stamford Symphony produces. Janey commented, "Music can be a powerful tool to build and strengthen connections within communities and I’m looking forward to exploring ways to deepen our engagement with Stamford and Fairfield County.” She is currently a teaching artist for the New York Philharmonic and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center as well as a part-time Music Teacher/ Violin Faculty at the Town School in New York City. She has hosted Young People’s Concerts, worked with public school systems, designed and performed interactive school and family concerts, coached high school orchestra and band programs, and more. Janey holds a Bachelors of Music and a Masters of Music from the Juilliard School and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. |
| | The Town of Fairfield has announced that artist member Adair W. Heitmann, formerly the Director of Communications for Pequot Library is its new Community and Economic Development Specialist. Adair says, "I’m thrilled to be working for such an interesting and vital town and to continue the partnerships I’ve developed with many local arts, cultural, community, history, literary, and professional organizations." We wish her luck in her new position. |
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The Westport Library has announced the opening date for its transformed space: Sun., June 23. Central to the new design is the Forum, a community space for up to 600 people with a high performance video wall for showing films and enhancing presentations. Theater-quality sound, staging & lighting, and state-of-the-art broadcast studios will enable live streaming, broad-casting, and filming of the Library’s signature events. The Forum has 6,000 sq. ft. of flexible space for co-working and collaboration when not in use for events. Three large program rooms for 40 to 120 people will allow for simultaneous programs and patrons will have access to seven meeting rooms, eight conference rooms and a video recording studio. The Library’s Café will be six times larger, with an outdoor deck overlooking the Saugatuck River. Floor to ceiling windows throughout the Library connect the building to its natural surroundings. The Riverwalk Level will be home to the main book collection and quiet reading spaces. The Library’s main entrance will be accessible from downtown Westport and Jesup Green by a sweeping grand staircase and there will also be access from the upper parking lot. |
| | | | MAKE MUSIC DAY FAIRFIELD COUNTY UPDATES
Seven member organizations in the towns in our region have now fully signed up to participate in Make Music Day 2019 - the free celebration of music by professional and amateur musicians alike. Our towns will be 7 of more than 800 cities in 120 countries. In 2018, 78 North American cities organized 4,728 free concerts at 1,561 locations… all on a single day. Make Music is open to anyone who wants to take part. Every kind of musician — young and old, amateur and professional, of every musical persuasion — pours onto streets, parks, plazas, and porches to share their music with friends, neighbors, and strangers. You can see the pages of each of our towns on the U.S. Make Music site and venues and musicians can sign up there. The towns act as matchmakers putting willing venues and eager musicians together. Click on each town below to see their page on the Make Music site: Bridgeport, Greenwich, Milford, Norwalk, Ridgefield, Stamford, and Stratford. Details and contact information are on each of their sites. Deadline for venues and performers to register with the town sites is May 21. |
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| SCHOOL DISTRICTS HONORED FOR MUSIC EXCELLENCE
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| | | THE GREAT UNAPPRECIATED ENGINE OF THE U.S. ECONOMY
In an opinion piece in the March 19 Forbes.com, Benjamin Wolff contrasts the Trump administration's fourth attempt, in its 2020 budget, to zero-out all funding for all arts and culture programs from the government (and to eliminate the NEA, the NEH, IMLS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting) against the most recent report from the Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account (ACPSA) compiled by the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). This shows that economic activity from arts and culture increased 2.9% in 2016, representing 4.3% of gross domestic product or more than $800 billion of economic activity. Wolff points out that our sector has expanded faster than the total economy every year since 2012, and its contribution to GDP is greater than agriculture or transportation. Employing five million people, arts and culture continues to grow across the nation and consistently runs a trade surplus for the U.S., delivering more cultural goods and services abroad than the nation imports. These figures underline the fact that rather than a diversion, arts and culture are essential drivers of economic growth. Many Republicans recognize this, which is why Trump's attempts in the past have failed. Not only do they cite the statistics but often they point to the Creative Forces: NEA Military Healing Arts Network - a partnership of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, and state and local arts agencies. Its mission is to use art therapy and direct engagement with the arts to help patients and their families heal from the effects of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Since beginning in 2012, the program has expanded across the country, focusing on supporting injured veterans make the transition back to civilian life. Wolff concludes that the arts don't need to justify their modest government support (the equivalent to one F-22 fighter jet) because of course the arts are an integral part of being human, no matter one's financial status or political party: "But as we move into the third decade of the 21st century, America would do well to consider the arts as a vital partner in keeping our nation competitive and thriving on the world stage. As we face the challenges of increasing automation, robotics and artificial intelligence, creativity and creative services—what the arts have and can teach—show us a path towards sustainable value." |
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| CT DIGITAL ARCHIVE NOW PART OF DIGITAL PUBLIC LIBRARY OF AMERICA
The Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) is a federated body of cultural institutions across the U.S. that represent the richness and diversity of America itself, from the smallest local history museum to the nation’s largest cultural institutions. All the materials found through DPLA—photographs, books, maps, news footage, oral histories, personal letters, museum objects, artwork, government documents, and more—are free and immediately available in digital format. Now, the Connecticut Digital Archive (CDA) has joined the DPLA and more than 75,000 items from its collections are discoverable in DPLA. A program of the University of Connecticut Library, the CDA includes a diverse array of materials from over forty cultural heritage institutions across the state, from the P.T. Barnum collection of artifacts and ephemera from Bridgeport Public Library and the Barnum Museum to Connecticut State Library’s nineteenth century newspapers and Hartford Public Library’s Butch Lewis Video Collection documenting Hartford’s Black Panther Party chapter in the late 1960s. As DPLA puts it in a news release, "Connecticut may be a small state, but its newly-added collections represent the nation’s shared heritage and are global in scope." It cites The Cheney Brothers Silk Manufacturing Company collection from University of Connecticut and Connecticut Historical Society documents one of the most successful textile companies of the Progressive Era, known for providing its largely-immigrant workforce with such amenities as housing, schools, recreation facilities, and medical care. The Hartford Medical Society Historical Library’s collections features correspondence, diplomas, account books, and meeting minutes documenting the lives, work, and medical practices of Connecticut physicians between the eighteenth and early-twentieth centuries. For researchers and students of twentieth century world history, Nuremberg Tribunal attorney Thomas J. Dodd’s papers capture in chilling detail Nazi strategies leading up to and during the Holocaust, as well as the Allied Powers’ prosecution of Nazi criminals for crimes against humanity after World War II. For those interested in the DPLA, explore their collections here, and read about their upcoming conference: DPLAFest held in Chicago this April 17-18. |
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| | | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: Exhibits, Speakers, and Remarks from Legislators
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Tourism Caucus Meeting
Legislative Office Building, 300 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106 REGISTER HERE. Arts organizations, please share this invitation with your board, staff, and volunteers! Let's show our legislators how the arts can turn out to advocate! |
| | | | | | | STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE FELLOWSHIPS
APRIL 19
The Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office is pleased to announce its annual Professional Development Fellowships. Connecticut residents who are currently engaged in historic preservation or a related field, either through employment or education, are encouraged to apply. Priority will be given to emerging and mid-career professionals. The fellowships are intended to be used for a professional activity that will advance the successful recipient’s career. The activity should be a learning opportunity that is not currently available or reimbursable from the recipient’s employer and should provide the recipient with experiences or skills that will enhance their historic preservation work in Connecticut. Attendance at conferences or workshops, tuition, field schools, and consulting/coaching fees for training activities, are examples of eligible activities. The amount of the fellowship awards are dependent on the cost of the professional development activity. At least two fellowships will be awarded for amounts up to $2,500. To apply, please complete the application and email it to Jenny Scofield by Friday, April 19, 2019. The fellowships will be announced at SHPO’s third annual statewide conference on May 17, 2019 at the Omni Hotel in New Haven. Successful recipients will be notified in advance. The State of Connecticut is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants affiliated with Minority/Women’s/Small Business Enterprises are encouraged to apply. |
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| | CT OFFICE OF THE ARTS REGIONAL INITIATIVE GRANTS JUNE 1
The Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) announces that applications are now being accepted for The Regional Initiative (REGI) Grants 2020. The REGI program encourages and supports small arts projects that are relevant to a community’s current society, culture and trends. REGI is a good fit for applicants that have a small arts-based project that targets a specific community matter, reflects on personal experience(s), and/or brings neighborhoods together. REGI grant requests must range between $1,000 to $4,000. Eligible applications go through a panel review process and decisions are based on available funding. Eligible applicants: ● individual Connecticut artists ● arts organizations ● creative entrepreneurs ● school districts or individual schools; ● curators/event planners; ● 501(c)(3) non-arts organizations ● colleges, universities and departments ● libraries. A fiscal sponsor can serve as the legal entity that manages a project’s contract, budget, expenses and payments. You cannot apply: if you received a REGI grant for the past 3 consecutive years (you have to wait until 2021); if you have an incomplete or late submission; if you have any outstanding final reports from other COA grants; if you have applied to either the FY20 Supporting Arts or Arts Project Grant programs; or if your organization receives a line item. Grant Requets must range between $1,000 and $4,000. Up to 10% of the request may be used for administrative costs. Grants require at least a 25% match (cash and/or in-kind contributions. Applications are made through Survey Monkey and should be completed first in a word-processing document and then uploaded (you have to begin and finish in one sitting. See Guidelines, and the budget form you have to separately download. Review the application questions here. |
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| | | | | HOT APPROACH INSTITUTE APRIL 26-27 The CT Office of the Arts (COA) is running a Higher Order Thinking (HOT) Approach Mini-Institute on Multiple Intelligences and Arts Integration with an emphasis on STEAM models that work on Friday, April 26 & Saturday April 27, 8:30am - 4:30pm at the Red Lion Hotel, Cromwell, CT. COA’s Higher Order Thinking (HOT) approach to teaching and learning provides educators with vital professional development, resources, tools and strategies to develop, deepen and expand effective practices in standards based arts education, arts integration, student voice and leadership development. Based on COA’s long-standing and nationally renowned HOT Schools Program, the HOT Approach weaves best practices in arts in education with present-day needs and experiences of urban, suburban, and rural school communities and is open to K-12 (arts and non-arts) educators statewide. While individuals are welcome to attend, COA encourages teams to register and participate together. Participating Teams in COA’s HOT Approach Mini-Institute may be eligible to apply for a COA Arts Learning HOT Approach Implementation Grant: ● Grade Level Teams: 3-5 Teachers in a grade level - may request up to $3,000
● School Teams: Principal and Teacher Teams (3-5 teachers - including at least one arts discipline teacher) - may request up to $5,000 ● District Leadership Teams: Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent and/or Director of Curriculum with a leadership team representing one or more schools in the district including an arts team (minimum 5) - may request up to $10,000 ● Community Teams: A Grade Level, School, or District Leadership Team that includes an Arts or Cultural Facility/Organization Educator may request an additional $1,000, $2,000, or $3,000 (respectively). |
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| STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE ANNUAL CONFERENCE MAY 17-18
The Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has announced the details of its 2019 annual conference. It will be held May 17-18, 2019 in two locations. On Friday, May 17, a full-day conference will be held at the Omni Hotel, 155 Temple Street, New Haven. On Sat. May 18 there will be a half-day event of hands-on demonstrations at the Henry Whitfield State Museum, 248 Old Whitfield Street, Guilford. This year's theme is Back to Basics and the keynote speaker will be Thompson Mayes, author of Why Old Places Matter, and Vice President/ Senior Counsel at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Initial plans for sessions on the Friday include: ● Crafting a Statement of Significance for State and National Register Nominations ● Interpreting the Secretary of the Interior Standards ● Messaging for Advocacy ● How to Prepare of Scope of Work
Saturday's half-day demonstrations will include masonry repointing, window repair, monument conservation, and more. See agenda here. Follow SHPO on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using #backtobasicspreservation, #CTSHPO2019, or #CTsharedstewardship for updates on the program.
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| | | Professional Development Events Coming Up… May 2: CT Office of the Arts: CT Arts Day. New Haven |
| | | | SORELLE GALLERY NEW CANAAN SENIOR ART ADVISOR
Sorelle Gallery Fine Art, located in New Canaan, has an immediate need for a Senior Art Advisor, an exceptional person, to join our growing gallery. This is a full time position responsible to promote and sell works of art in the gallery and online. You will meet with prospective clients, be responsible for displaying artwork that's for sale, transport art to local buyers, and gallery administration. Position Requirements • Successful sales experience; • Knowledge of contemporary art market; • Excellent negotiating skills; • Excellent communication skills (written and verbal); • Excellent people skills; • Excellent customer service skills; • Well-organized and attentive to detail; • A demonstrated ability to work as part of a team, as well as independently; • Techno-logically Savvy, experience with Photoshop, Salesforce and Shopify a bonus; • Clean driver’s license; • Experience and able to install and hang artwork. Compensation based on experience. At Sorelle we strive to create in-gallery and online experiences that inspire, inform, delight and empower our customers to find artwork that lifts their spirit and will make their homes more beautiful than they ever thought possible. We are passionate about problem solving and we thrive on meaningful interactions. We believe that offering great artwork makes for happy, satisfied, and loyal customers. We have fun taking work seriously. Please email cover letter; Email resume with a minimum of 3 professional references here. References will only be contacted after speaking with applicant. Absolutely no phone calls or walk-ins, please. References will only be contacted after speaking with applicant. |
| | YALE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY JOHN WALSH FELLOWSHIP IN MUSEUM EDUCATION
The Yale University Art Gallery's John Walsh Fellowship in Museum Education is a two-year fellowship for an emerging professional in the arts considering a career in museum education. Reporting to the Jan and Frederick Mayer Senior Associate Curator of Public Education and working closely with colleagues from the Education Department, other Gallery departments, and additional collaborators at and beyond the Yale University Art Gallery, the Fellow will be fully integrated into all aspects of the Education Department’s work, from planning to execution. S/he will gain broad-based experience in academic museum education over the course of the fellowship, including: K–12 public education; interdisciplinary and interactive teaching with objects; university-level outreach and teaching programs; execution and evaluation of educational offerings for various audiences; school, youth, adult, and community groups; and teachers, families, and adult visitors.
The focus of this two-year fellowship is to explore teaching in the university museum and to help develop materials that can be used in K–12 and university-level teaching. The Fellow will participate in the rigorous Wurtele Gallery Teacher training program and learn from museum educators about art-based pedagogies and the collection. An advanced degree and one year of museum teaching is required. Additional duties as assigned by supervisor. Occasional evening and weekend work will be required. Residence in the greater New Haven area for the term of the fellowship is required.
Applicants must submit a CV with the names of three references and a cover letter that addresses the candidate’s interest in the fellowship.
Submit applications (in PDF format) to:
Jessica Sack, The Jan and Frederick Mayer Senior Associate Curator of Public Education,
jessica.sack@yale.edu
Application review begins April 15, 2019. |
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| CONNECTICUT LEAGUE OF HISTORY ORGANIZATIONS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Connecticut League of History Organizations (CLHO), with a membership base of organizations and individuals, was formed in 1948 to build connections among those who preserve and share the stories and objects of Connecticut’s past. Partnering with Connecticut Humanities (CTH) on a number of issues and programs, we are committed to building statewide capacity to preserve our state’s heritage, promote learning and engage the public. The CLHO Executive Director serves as the chief executive of the organization, providing leadership, vision and direction in managing daily operations consistent with the mission, strategic plan and governance policies established by the Board of Directors, including priorities jointly shared by CLHO and CTH. The Executive Director is a champion, convener and catalyst for advancing CLHO’s mission to unite, support and promote historical interests and activities statewide and to strengthen and empower the network of those who promote and safeguard Connecticut’s cultural heritage. Position Responsibilities: ● Manage strategic and operational planning, including budgets, fiscal reports, membership admin-istration, program logistics, event regist-rations and other components of daily operations. ● Develop and implement a robust outreach strategy to strengthen and leverage current and new relationships with members and with regional and statewide partners, including CTH and Central Connecticut State University as well as other allied state and regional organizations. ● Provide overall program management for existing programs (Annual Conference, Awards of Merit, Connecticut Collections, StEPS-CT, workshops) and identify new program opportunities based on the CLHO-CTH partnership and on state and national trends in public history. ● Strengthen revenue streams by growing the membership base, increasing participation in programs, managing fundraising activities and identifying new grant/funder sources to achieve sustainability. ● Coordinate communications with all constituents to enhance the CLHO brand. ● Collaborate and communicate with the Board to fulfill CLHO’s mission by executing near-term strategic actions and helping formulate longer-term strategies to achieve and maintain sustainability. Profile of the Ideal Candidate: ● Passionate advocate for the mission with the ability to translate that passion into an articulate and compelling story for a variety of audiences. ● Visionary leader able to set strategic direction for the future while using critical and creative thinking to address near-term issues and opportunities. ● Accomplished networker, collaborator and communicator able to build and maintain strong relationships with CLHO constituents and allies and to articulate the benefits of collaboration among various individual and institutional players. ●A confident risk-taker adept at reading people and situations to help individual and institutional partners achieve beneficial outcomes. ● Time management, analytical and technological expertise to accomplish daily tasks (with QuickBooks, social media) efficiently and complement interpersonal and leadership skills. ● Sound knowledge of public history best practices; ability to organize and deliver effective professional development programs for history organi-zations’ staff and volunteers. Minimum Credentials: ● Bachelor’s degree in a humanities or related field. Master’s degree a plus. ● Five years experience in a leadership or management position in a public history organization. ● Valid driver’s license with ability to drive throughout the state to meet constituents. To apply: email a cover letter and resume by April 6, to interim@clho.org with “ED search” in the subject line. |
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| | | BRIDGEPORT DSSD WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT RFP APRIL 9
The Bridgeport Downtown Special Services District (DSSD) seeks to retain a Website Development Consultant to design and develop a web platform to align with new branding and communications goals connected with the Colorful Bridgeport campaign. Colorful Bridgeport is a new, integrated marketing and streetscape beautification campaign that aims to represent the woven tapestry of Bridgeport, while highlighting the beautiful and vibrant overlapping of forms, shapes, and colors that intersect in the Downtown. The Project Goal: To build a web platform that communicates a sense of place for Downtown Bridgeport using the principles of the Colorful Bridgeport campaign. In particular, the web platform should communicate that sense of place by highlighting Downtown Bridgeport businesses, cultural institutions, public spaces, residential offerings, events, and programming produced by the DSSD and partner organizations. Project responsibilities: The Consultant will manage the Bridgeport DSSD’s website development process under the creative direction of our marketing agency, The Bananaland. The purpose of the collaboration is to ensure that resulting work product achieves the Colorful Bridgeport campaign goals and expresses our views creatively. Below are high-level responsibilities, as well as examples of specific tasks the DSSD is expecting the selected Consultant to undertake. ● Design and implement a mobile ready storytelling platform that attracts high levels of web traffic, and allows for constituent engagement. The platform must use media queries to allow the website to scale correctly to all mobile devices and be compatible with the last three versions of primary web browsers, such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Internet Explorer. ● Integrate a content management system, preferably WordPress, that is user friendly for DSSD members to generate, edit, publish, and share engaging content daily (e.g. original text, photos, videos, and news), including embedded curated feeds from the DSSD’s social media channels. ● Create space to house content currently in production. Please refer to the attached production timeline for examples of content. ● Migrate selected content from InfoBridgeport.com, including calendar, individual business information, and DSSD-specific reporting requirements. ● Clearly connect the web platform’s sense of place for Downtown Bridgeport and the role of theDSSD in that place. ● Set specific metrics and monitoring/ reporting processes compatible with the goal of the website, particularly focusing on success factors pointing to search engine optimization, web traffic, and audience engagement. The website development process is expected to begin the week of April 15, 2019, with expected delivery of the final web platform by June 15, 2019. This scope of work is contract-based (IRS Form 1099). Proposals are not to exceed $15,000 for this scope of activity. The DSSD reserves the right to adjust the billable hours, and staffing levels, of any contractor on a regular basis. See complete RFP. |
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| NORWALK ARTS COMMISSION SOCIAL MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS RFP APRIL 5
The Norwalk Arts Commission is seeking social media and communications services for the Norwalk Arts Commission. Services provided are aimed to help grow and engage our community with the Norwalk arts.While the Commission has successfully leveraged volunteer social media and communications services, the organization realizes that the ongoing growth, visibility, and viability of the Commission and its services depend on engaging professional services. The fee is $2,000 for the period of April-Dec 2019. Expectations are that 2 hours a week of social media/ communication services will be provided. Roles and Responsibilities: ● Assist in the development and implementation of a social media strategy for Instagram and Facebook ● Create engaging social media posts across platforms showcasing NAC, local: artists, art, and art venues ● Create and promote NAC Facebook events ● Search and/or share art related FB events on NAC social media platforms ● Manage social media inquiries, comments, and requests ● Work with the Communications Manager for the city to help promote important events and/or information ● Provide metrics as requested on NAC social media presence ● Assist in communicating web changes and updates as needed ● Update NAC mailing lists as needed ● Assistance with misc. social media and communications related projects as neede ● Assist in the design and distribution of occasional e-blasts and a bi-annual e-newsletter Skills and experience required: ● 3-5 years of experience in social media ● Proficient in social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram ● Strong and effective communicator, with excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills ● Excellent understanding of branding ● Ability to take high quality photos with your phone for social media ● Photo editing skills ● Interest and enthusiasm for the arts ● Proficiency in Canva (or similar program) or willingness to learn ● Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Outlook Educational requirements: ● Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Marketing or Communications preferred, but solid experience and a proactive personality are most important. Proposal: The commission invites those interested in providing these social media and communications services to submit a proposal to livelovenorwalk@gmail.com. Please put “Social Media and Communications” in subject line. Deadline: Friday, April 5, 2019 Required elements: 1. Cover letter 2. Resume |
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| | | | | APRIL
April 22: Stage Directors & Choreographers Workshop Foundation: Observerships Application Deadline MAY
May c1: CT OECD: Good to Great Grant Program - Letter of Intent Deadline JUNE
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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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