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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 |
| | | | COVID-19 RESOURCES & UPDATES |
| | The CAFC is here to support our member organizations through this difficult time. Please refer to our website COVID-19 Resources page as we continue to add information that will help you manage your organizations and plan for the future. Our Community Calls continue, for all organizational members, every Wednesday at noon (notes on previous calls are available here). NEW: daily refreshed list of relevant webinars and Reopening Guidelines on our home page, |
| | ACE AWARDS 2020 POSTPONED TO SEPTEMBER 10 NOMINATIONS RE-OPEN! |
| The Cultural Alliance has postponed the date of its fifth annual Arts & Culture Empowerment (ACE) Awards breakfast to Thursday, September 10. It will feature Tony Award winner, Broadway singer, actress and music educator Joanna Gleason and Tony Award winner James Naughton as Master of Ceremonies. Nominations for awardees have now been re-opened. You can nominate your choice for any and all categories: Artist, Citizen, Corporate, Educator, and Nonprofit. Who, in your opinion, has made the most significant artistic and cultural contributions to our community, or who has supported the arts and culture through their contributions of time, expertise and money? Nominate here. |
| | FOLLOW OUR #CAFCArtistoftheDay
Tuesday - Sunday, enjoy the work of our member artists that was triggered by thoughts and feelings arising from our current global crisis. Check out #CAFCArtistoftheDay each day on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages. Please LIKE, COMMENT and SHARE. Thank you! |
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❦ – Latest List by Town of Organization and Creative Business Members: here
❦ – Latest List by Town of Artist Members: here |
| | | | The Bruce Museum announced that despite the challenges of the current pandemic, the NEW Bruce is still moving forward. Turner Construction Company has been working in the building since early April—with careful social distancing—to renovate the former permanent science galleries, and to prepare for the creation of an entirely new permanent exhibit, Cycles, over the next 14 months. Renovation plans also call for a dramatically expanded new permanent installation of the mineral collection. Right, an artist’s rendering of the Big Back Yard Gallery, which will combine real insect specimens with giant models to reveal the ways tiny creatures can play a big role in our environment. Learn more about the New Bruce...
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| | | The Carriage Barn Arts Center has reopened to the public by appointment Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. On view currently is a new exhibit, She Is Rising, benefiting LiveGirl. Friday, May 29 at noon, join exhibiting artists, Carriage Barn Director Hilary Wittmann and LiveGirl founder Sheri West for a virtual gallery talk via zoom. Sign up here... Additionally, The Carriage Barn and New Canaan Chamber of Commerce are presenting the annual Art in the Windows exhibit in downtown New Canaan store windows, June 5 - July 4.
The Carriage Barn has also partnered with New Canaan Land Trust to create the New Canaan Sculpture Trail, featuring eight juried sculptural installations at six Land Trust preserves, the front lawn of the New Canaan Town Hall, and the courtyard of the Carriage Barn Arts Center. All installations will be complete by June 19, in time for a Virtual Sculpture Soiree on June 19. |
| | The Coastal Arts Guild of CT has successfully transitioned its in-person figure drawing sessions into online Zoom classes, reaching a much wider audience. Artists from New Jersey, New York, Nebraska, Puerto Rico and throughout Connecticut have joined the courses and two live models from Los Angles and Seattle will be posing in June. Drawing sessions begin with the model taking short, athletic poses, and then progressing to longer poses. Learn more...
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| | | The Fairfield University Art Museum (FUAM) has begun distributing art kits to Bridgeport-area students in response to increased challenges for students who have transitioned to online learning due to social isolation mandates and school closures. Children benefiting from the donations include students of the Turnaround Art Schools, children of Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants (CIRI) clients, and children of students at the Mercy Learning Center, which provides basic literacy and life skills training to low-income women, and serves more than 1,100 families. The museum has distributed 300 art kits, with 200 more being created and distributed in the coming months. The Kids’ Guide was made possible by a grant from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation. Learn more. |
| | | Norwalk Symphony, Stepping Stones Museum for Children and Norwalk Public Schools have partnered to provide a five-week online learning program (Not) Just for Kids centered around classical music. This virtual learning platform is geared toward children grades K-3 and kicked off with Maestro Jonathan Yates introducing the orchestra, instrument families, and a conducting lesson. Students received learning-packets mailed to their homes, which is being supplemented by daily virtual content, including a presentation on music and the instruments of the orchestra. Learn more... |
| | | Pantochino Productions, a professional not for profit theatre for family audiences in Milford has announced a new program, Pantochino Curbside. Milford-area families may book fifteen-minute live performance to take place on their front lawns for birthdays, special occasions or just for fun while keeping a safe distance from the performers. “Since our audiences are not able to come to the theatre, we are bringing the theatre to them,” said co-producer Bert Bernardi. Pantochino’s new programming also includes Pantochino Podcasts for family audiences and it’s live streaming show, “Let’s Learn Stuff” on Facebook. Learn more... |
| | | The United States Mint (Mint) will release collectible rolls and bags containing the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program coin honoring Weir Farm National Historic Site (NHS) for sale for the first time. These products are available for purchase via the Mint's online catalog or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). The Mint began the America the Beautiful series in 2010. The 12-year initiative includes 56 quarters featuring national sites in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories. "Weir Farm NHS is thrilled to represent Connecticut on this stunning new quarter," stated Superintendent Linda Cook. "The design perfectly captures the feel of the cultural landscape of the state, and how Weir Farm is connected to it though art, creativity and nature." |
| | | The Weston Historical Society discovers, collects, and preserves our heritage and makes it come alive in the context of local, regional, and world events for residents and future generations. The Historical Society has undertaken a new project, preserving items, photographs and stories that illustrate COVID-19's impact on the community. Residents and those interested in sharing their experiences and images can complete the Society's submission form. For more information or questions, please contact executive director, Samantha Kulish-Fargione, at archive@westonhistoricalsociety.org. Learn more... |
| | | ROADMAP TO REOPEN CONNECTICUT RELEASED
Governor Lamont today released his Reopen Connecticut report, which contains recommendations from the Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group – the panel of local health, business, workforce, and education experts who provided his administration and legislative leadership with recommendations on the reopening of Connecticut’s economy and education system as the nation emerges from the unprecedented public health emergency caused by COVID-19. With the release of the governor’s report, the Advisory Group has adjourned its activities and will no longer meet, however the governor said he will remain in contact with its members over the coming months as the situation continues to develop. As noted before, opening dates for our community are limited to currently open: retail; museums (outdoor); slated for approximately June 20 opening are "all museums, zoos, aquariums," and "outdoor arts, entertainment and events (up to 50 people)". Phase 3 (starting at least 4 weeks later) includes "indoor event spaces and venues" and "outdoor events (up to 100 people)." |
| | STUDY: 13% OF MUSEUMS WORLDWIDE MAY NEVER REOPEN
Nearly 13% of museums worldwide may never reopen after the COVID-19 shutdown, according to new research by UNESCO and the International Council of Museums (ICOM). The two studies were released jointly on the occasion of the International Museum Day on Monday, May 18, which was celebrated online due to the pandemic. The two studies examined the impact of COVID-19 on museums in UNESCO member states (193 members and 11 associate members) and the ways in which these institutions have adapted to the crisis. According to the studies, the pandemic forced nearly 90% of all museums worldwide, more than 85,000 in number, to close their doors for varying lengths of time since the outbreak of the pandemic. The financial impact resulting from this mass shutdown is devastating. The American Alliance of Museums estimated that shuttered museums in the United States lose at least $33 million a day during the lockdown. Read full report... |
| | IF CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS REOPEN, WILL VISITORS COME?
To what extent will guests return when cultural organizations reopen? Intentions to visit cultural organizations within three months have recovered when compared to this same time last year, and intentions to visit within one month are close to observed historic levels, according to Colleen Dilenschneider's Know Your Own Bone, who shares data and analysis about how cultural audiences think and behave (subscribe). These four factors will help inform your own organization’s near-term volume of visitation: Organization type/experience; Local perceptions and tolerances; Top of mind awareness; Core audiences/constituencies. Read full report... |
| | Q&A WITH KAYWIN FELDMAN: LEADING THE NATION'S MUSEUM IN UNCERTAIN TIMES
The Mellon Foundation celebrated the appointment of Kaywin Feldman as the first woman director of the National Gallery of Art, by recently interviewing her in its blog. Feldman, director and president of the Minneapolis Institute of Art for more than a decade, had resisted invitations for two years. An experienced leader who had seen arts institutions through significant periods of change, she was concerned that her expertise in change-management might not be the right fit for a place so steeped in tradition as the National Gallery. But the institution, founded in 1937 by Andrew W. Mellon, kept calling, and in March 2019, Feldman took the job. Feldman was interviewed by The Mellon and spoke about her first year on the job, serving the national community, and how in times of crisis, art allows us to “feel the power of our shared humanity.” Read full blog... |
| | LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AWARDED NEFA NEST GRANTS
The New England Foundation for the Arts has awarded $389,542 to 63 New England cultural organizations and the 66 artists they are engaging, through the 2020 NEST (New England State Touring) grants. The primary goal of the program is to expand direct access to high quality artists and aesthetic diversity for all New England communities by artists from New England, the nation, and across the globe. Congratulations to the Ferguson Library, New Haven International Festival of Arts & Ideas, Quick Center for the Arts, and the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum. Full list of grant recipients... |
| | LIVE PERFORMANCE PRODUCERS ARE GIVING UP ON 2020
Uncertainty about the coronavirus and the challenge of protecting audiences and artists is prompting many prominent presenters to wait until next year, according to an article in the New York Times. In the classical music and opera worlds, there is similar skepticism about reopening any time soon. “Everyone is looking to the fall with huge question marks and doubt,” said Marc A. Scorca, the president of Opera America, a trade organization. And Jesse Rosen, who leads the League of American Orchestras, said, “I sense that many are assuming the fall is not going to be the start time.” Full article... |
| | | | CARES ACT RELIEF ALLOCATED TO CT ARTS & HUMANITIES AGENCIES
As part of the $2 trillion federal CARES Act, $75 million was allocated to each of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to assist their constituent organizations. 40% of that amount has been allocated to the state arts and humanities councils for distribution. Currently, the Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) and Connecticut Humanities (CTH) are in the process of setting up systems for organizations to apply for these funds. COA has some $466,000 to grant, and CTH has slightly more. Applications are expected to be ready in about 2 weeks.
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| | CT HUMANITIES QUICK GRANTS NOW COVID-19 RELATED
For the upcoming round of Quick Grant funding, with application deadline June 5, 2020, organizations are asked to submit grants for projects that address ways that they can best serve their community’s needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Grant requests for non-COVID-19-response-related projects will not be accepted. Project possibilities include, but are not limited to, moving an organization’s existing programs or exhibitions to an online/digital format; creating distance learning materials to support teachers and students; creating mobile tours for inclusion on CT Humanities’ ConnTours mobile app; displaying content in places where community members can access it despite social distancing; oral history or collecting projects to document the pandemic; etc. Contact CTH Manager of Grants and Programs Scott Wands with questions or to discuss project ideas. |
| | EMERGENCY GRANT BENEFITS VISUAL ARTS WORKERS JUNE 2
An emergency relief grant program will provide $1.25 million in aid to Tri-State non-salaried workers in the visual arts who have experienced financial hardship from lack of income or opportunity as a direct result of the COVID-19 crisis. The Willem de Kooning Foundation, the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, the Teiger Foundation, and the Cy Twombly Foundation are providing funds for those who can demonstrate a significant loss of income between March 1 and August 1. The funds will be administered by the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA). Eligible applicants include freelance, contract, or non-salaried archivists, art handlers, artist/photographer’s assistants, cataloguers, database specialists, digital assets specialists, image scanners/digitizers, and registrars over the age of 21, who have lived in the tri-state area for at least the past two years, and worked in these non-salaried positions since at least 2015. The final application cycle is June 2-3. Applicants will be notified by June 15 More information...
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| | | | PPP LOAN FORGIVENESS WEBINAR MAY 29
The long-awaited Treasury guidelines and application form on loan forgiveness of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) have finally been released. With thousands of arts groups and self-employed artists having successfully received billions of dollars in PPP loans, the goal now is to get these loans forgiven. Join Americans for the Arts for a Webinar, Fri. May 29 at 3pm. Registration for this live webinar is free and will be limited to 1000 participants. Sign up... Recording will be available.
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| | WEBINAR: THE CONTACTLESS FUTURE, REIMAGINING THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE
Before the vast majority of the world’s museums and attractions were forced to temporarily close due the COVID-19 pandemic, visiting a museum was often an interactive, tactile, and social experience, involving many person-to-person interactions. From exchanges at the admissions and membership desks, interactions with fellow patrons, and special experiences involving touch screens or hands-on activities, the visitor experience has historically been filled with physical touchpoints. Now, as museums prepare to reopen in an era of social distancing, many are imagining a “contactless” future. Tune in to a recent webinar hosted by Brendan Ciecko (CEO and Founder @ Cuseum. Access webinar... |
| | COVID-19 CONTRACT CONSIDERATIONS: WHAT YOUR NONPROFIT NEEDS TO KNOW JUNE 4
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the ability of nonprofits to maintain operations and fulfill existing contractual obligations. The fast-paced evolution of the pandemic gives rise to new events every day that affect a party’s ability to excuse contractual nonperformance. From event cancellations to the inability to pay rent, the pandemic has brought to light contract issues affecting nonprofits throughout the tristate-area. Join Pro Bono Partnership for this complimentary webinar as we discuss recent developments and considerations to take regarding your nonprofit’s commercial contracts and lease terms. Register here... |
| | | | MARITIME AQUARIUM DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Inc. seeks a Director of Finance to lead the strategic direction, management and execution of its financial operations during a uniquely important time in its 32 year history. In addition to addressing the immediate financial challenges due to COVID-19, the Aquarium is currently undertaking major capital projects, and further is envisioning significant expansion of its education programs and conservation initiatives on behalf of the region and Long Island Sound, a nationally recognized ecosystem. The Director of Finance plays a central role in the overall success of the Aquarium, with the responsibility of managing business and financial strategies and practices to successfully fulfill the Aquarium’s ambitious mission, conduct the activities and programs hosted by the Aquarium, and achieve plans for future growth and expansion. Full job description... |
| | MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM PRESIDENT & CEO
The Mystic Seaport Museum seeks a forward-thinking, energetic, and entrepreneurial leader to serve as its next President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The Museum comprises more than 60 historic buildings, exhibition spaces, a unique collection of floating vessels, a shipyard, a collections research center, a planetarium, and storage facilities, on 19 acres of land that are open to the public (as well as an additional 30 acres). Each year, the Museum welcomes over 250,000 visitors. The successful individual will possess the experience and knowledge to oversee a complex and resource-intensive organization; a superb operational skill set; a record of success in marketing, audience growth, and fundraising; a demonstrated commitment to strengthening diversity and workplace culture; and a natural inclination toward collaboration and community engagement. Apply here... |
| | CHILDREN'S LIBRARIAN AT GREENWICH LIBRARY
Greenwich Library is seeking a part-time Children's Librarian. Primary responsibilities include planning and conducting programs for pre-school and school aged children; providing quality patron service to children, their caregivers and other adults working with children, and promoting reading through displays, booklists, book talks, and programs. Master's Degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited college or university (preferred) or Master's Degree in Library Science in progress, with a focus on children's librarianship. Full job description... |
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| | The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County is a 501(c)(3) cultural nonprofit membership organization. We are grateful to our members and our donors whose support enables us to do our work. Donations are always very welcome and may be made here. In particular, we are grateful for support from: |
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