| | 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. |
| | | | | | HELP SUPPORT OUR CULTURE CONNECTORS NETWORK |
| | The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County is launching a Culture Connectors Network: aimed at significantly diversifying the people, perspectives and traditions that inform our region's cultural infrastructure. Our goal is to broaden and deepen the reach of the Cultural Alliance by collapsing barriers that isolate people and cultures. This is one of the creative ways we can confront the systemic racism and inequities in our region that challenge our ability to connect people, places and cultures. Imagine a network of Culture Connectors – "equity stewards" who collectively represent multiple perspectives and experiences, listen intently, and help us connect people and cultures. This network will inform our planning and program designs and help us get to know, respect, and cherish the people, cultures and traditions that make up our region's rich cultural landscape.
|
| | We envision a network of eventually some 70 Culture Connectors, who will be paid modest honoraria, where required. To launch the network we have started a campaign, backed by the Community Match Fund of Sustainable CT, to raise $15,000 to pay our first cohort over the next year. Please help us to raise $7,500, which will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Sustainable CT. Find out more, and consider contributing towards our goal any amount from $10 up. Go to patronicity.com/CultureConnectors to find out more and make your contribution. And thank you!
|
| | CAFC BOARD RETREAT
The Board of the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County met for a 4-hour Board Retreat Saturday October 23 in the Classroom of The Norwalk Art Space. On the agenda was the first steps in creating a set of core values that would guide the organization forward into its future and a review of plans for the Culture Connectors Network, as outlined above. As part of determining a strategy for evolving a more equitable future, members of the Board considered our history, and our key qualities. A 6-minute video prepared by staff for the meeting will be available shortly. The work in developing a set of core values is ongoing and the Culture Connectors campaign has been launched.
|
| | | At left: from left to right, board members Kim Healey, Cindy Vaccaro and Patricia Rattray; Executive Director David Green; board members Cheryl Williams, Kim Morque, and Harold Bailey. Board members not in the picture: Oliver Abel, Holly Hotchner and Bill Purcell. At right, map of Faifield County applied to the floor of The Norwalk Art Space |
| | | | BLAU HOUSE & GARDENS
Blau House & Gardens are significant mid-century modern Westport treasures, embodying Westport’s artistic legacy. The Blau vision is to create a community asset for current residents and future generations. Through educational programming and research opportunities, the public will have access to the mid‐century modern house developed by theatrical set designer Ralph Alswang and one of the most elaborate yet intimate gardens in Connecticut, developed and nurtured for over 50 years by Westport resident and business leader, Barry Irwin Blau. |
| | THE CAMP GALLERY
Westport's Contemporary Art Modern Project Gallery (The CAMP Gallery) specializes in art advisory and contemporary art with a focus on emerging and mid-career artists working in: installation, painting, photography, sculpture, textiles, and video art with a specific direction of both self and worldly reflection. Looking at art, as a whole, through a reactionary and interdisciplinary approach, the gallery covers the ever populating notion of society and life in general through art and curation, offering a creative space both in the gallery and out—where creativity and reality co-exist. |
| | DIANNE NIKLAUS CREATIVE WELLNESS
Dianne Niklaus offers holistic pathways to achieve optimal health and well-being in Mind, Body and Home. These include: Creative Depth Coaching using expressive arts and narrative process to promote creative mindfulness and personal discovery; reducing stress, increasing joy and facilitating transformative change; Integrative Health Coaching empowering individuals to make lasting behavior changes by recognizing the multiple interconnected dimensions and lifestyle choices that impact overall health and well-being; and Healthy Home Design recognizing that live and work spaces are integral factors of holistic wellness. Applying principles and practices including Feng Shui, De-Cluttering and Space Clearing to balance physical and environmental energies. |
|
| | | The Bruce Museum has announced the appointment of Margarita Karasoulas as Curator of Art. Coming from the Brooklyn Museum, where she has served as Assistant Curator of American Art since 2017, Karasoulas will assume her duties with the Bruce on November 29, 2021. In this new role, Karasoulas will be responsible for organizing exhibitions of major historic and contemporary artists, building the permanent collection, and collaborating with curators, designers, program staff, and Museum and Board leaders to create new paradigms supporting the Bruce’s mission to present exhibitions in thoughtful, imaginative, and surprising ways. |
| | Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo's Cora, a white-naped crane chick, arrived from the Bronx Zoo in January 2020, and was filmed as part of a segment for the fifth season of Animal Planet’s The Zoo. Selected as a companion for Beardsley Zoo’s male crane McDuffy, Cora's arrival as a seven-month-old, with juvenile plumage, went smoothly, but due to her age, her full introduction to the Zoo’s male crane was delayed until summer, 2021. Today guests can see both white-naped cranes in the large grassy habitat next to the red pandas. And, the white-naped crane episode of The Zoo, featuring Cora, will air Sat. Oct. 30 at 9pm. Fans can also follow the conversation on social media #TheZoo. |
| | Lisa Cooper of Elisa Contemporary Art was thrilled and honored to be featured in the October 2021 issue of Fairfield Coastal Neighbors. The article talks about the local art community and being a member of the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County, as well as a juror for the Pequot Library and Rowayton Arts Center shows. A special thanks to Tracy Holleran and photos by Sugar + Spice! Learn more...
|
| | The Klein is "raising the roof" for the talented musicians of Terrapin and the Symphony - but have also started renovations with an actual roof replacement! The City of Bridgeport has undertaken an 8-month long project to replace the Klein roof and to repair masonry and the front steps. Renovations started this week. |
| | The New Canaan Society for the Arts recently held the organization’s 2020/21 Annual Meeting of members at the Carriage Barn Arts Center. The member-supported, non-profit arts organization has operated the Carriage Barn Arts Center and gallery since 1977. Membership is open to all interested in participating in and supporting the arts in New Canaan. Pictured (L-R) are the Board of Directors: Norman Toy, Phil Williams, Michael Carusi, Martie Mackay, BJ Flagg, Lisa Ferrante, Svava Bragason, Angela Piscitello, Jeanne McDonagh (Advisory Board), Allison Donaldson, Rich Companik, Tom Berntsen, Suzy Lavieri and Executive Director Hilary Wittmann. Not pictured: Sveinn Bragason and Kathy Megrue-Smith |
| | Stamford Symphony announced a new partnership with Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestras (GCTYO) to launch a chamber music training program for beginner and intermediate level students. Starting in October, students will audition to form string quartets and receive weekly private instruction from a Stamford Symphony musician. The program will conclude with a live concert on December 18, 2021 at the Pequot Library, showcasing the students’ progress. More details to come. |
| | Congratulations to Stepping Stones Museum for Children for receiving a $45,000 American Rescue Plan Grant from IMLS. The Museum will hire a multimedia director and continue to retain an audiovisual consultant who is refining the museum’s video production process, the centerpiece of a new e-community platform, launching in early 2022. This will allow the museum to deepen its expertise in creating, curating, and presenting digital media in English and Spanish. This initiative will address the community need for multimedia and hybrid learning resources caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| | | WPKN (89.5 FM and WPKN.org, dubbed “The Greatest Radio Station in the World” by The New Yorker) is moving from the University of Bridgeport (UB) to a new location at 277 Fairfield Avenue, above the celebrated Bijou Theatre. Moving Day is November 16. A ribbon-cutting ceremony takes place at 10:30am on stage at the Bijou with local and state dignitaries. From 1 to 4pm, former Station Manager (1978-2008) Harry Minot will host the final show before an official “handoff” from the UB facility. Current station manager Steve diCostanzo will make a “last drive” to the new studios (filmed by Cob Carlson, who is making a WPKN documentary) and will host the first show from 277 at 4 p.m. Tours of the new state-of-the-art studios will take place after the morning’s ribbon-cutting. Celebrations continue Nov. 19 & 20. |
| | | | WILLINGNESS TO DONATE TO CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS IS UP
Colleen Dilenschneider reports that critical sentiment surrounding both exhibit and performance-based organizations has shifted. After an uncertain first pandemic holiday season in 2020, it seems that more folks are looking toward kindness and recovery. This year, a higher percentage of Americans would consider making a gift to a cultural entity than in any holiday season during the last eight years. People would also consider making higher-value gifts to a cultural organization. Read more... |
| | CT HUMANITIES WELCOMES EMMA WILEY
CT Humanities welcomes Emma Wiley as their Digital Humanities Assistant. Emma’s work as Digital Humanities Assistant will be integral to expanding our digital humanities projects to encompass a greater diversity of stories and voices. Emma is a public history professional with a special interest in connecting and strengthening communities through their historical and cultural resources. She received a B.A. in History, with a double minor in Anthropology and Education, from Vassar College. Learn more... |
| | MUSEUMS, LIBRARIES PLAY A ROLE TO CREATE HEALTHIER, MORE EQUITABLE AMERICA The Institute of Museum and Library Services, in partnership with Reinvestment Fund, has released a new study, Understanding the Social Wellbeing Impacts of the Nation’s Libraries and Museums, which examines the role of museums and libraries in promoting social wellbeing in communities across the United States. The multi-year, multi-market study found the presence and usage of public libraries and museums to be positively associated with multiple dimensions of social wellbeing—in particular, community health, school effectiveness, institutional connection, and cultural opportunity. Read more... |
| | NEW BRIEF SHOWS HOW ARTS ORGANIZATIONS SEE THEIR VALUE Sustainability for nonprofit arts organizations should not be an end itself but rather a means for pursuing mission-related goals, according to a Wallace Foundation Brief, from arts researcher Francie Ostrower and her team at the University of Texas in Austin. The report delves into these meaty questions by capturin thoughts from leaders of the 25 participant organizations in Wallace’s Building Audiences for Sustainability initiative, which ran from 2016 through 2019. The organizations in this particular group were all large, well-established and predominantly white-led. Interestingly, however, even before the pandemic and movement for a deeper reckoning with racial justice struck across the country, leaders from a majority of the organizations expressed how essential it was for them to develop and/or maintain strong bonds to their community. Since then, the need for such change has only increased. Read the Brief... |
| | | | CT HUMANITIES
SHARP CAPACITY PROJECT GRANTS
NOVEMBER 15
|
| | CT CULTURAL FUND NOVEMBER 15
CT Humanities has $16M in general operating support grants to help the state’s museums, arts, cultural, and humanities organizations maintain and grow their ability to serve their community and the public, connect K-12 teachers and students to strong humanities and arts content, and improve their information technology and digital infrastructure. A minimum grant of $5,000 is guaranteed to all eligible organizations if you just apply. Even if you apply for other CTH grants you can still apply for the Cultural Fund grants. Application details and FAQs here. |
| | GENERAL OPERATING GRANTS
FOR CT THEATERS &
PERFORMING ARTS GROUPS
DECEMBER 1
The Connecticut Office of the Arts will provide up to $3M in general operating support grants to support Connecticut's theaters and performing groups as they pursue their mission. Grants are for 501(c)(3) non-profit, Connecticut arts organizations that provide arts activities, programs and performances for the public. Eligible applicants must fall into one of the following categories: Arts Center; Cinema Facility; Performing Group; Performing Community Group; Performing Group for Youth; Performance Facility. Even if operations were suspended during COVID, organizations are eligible to apply. For more information, click here. |
| | NEH: SUSTAINING CULTURAL HERITAGE COLLECTIONS JANUARY 13
The Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections program at the NEH helps cultural institutions meet the complex challenge of preserving large and diverse holdings of humanities materials for future generations by supporting sustainable conservation measures that mitigate deterioration, prolong the useful life of collections, and support institutional resilience: the ability to anticipate and respond to disasters resulting from natural or human activity. For a recorded Application Webinar click here: https://youtu.be/Y2Ba8hy3Wrk. More information here. |
| | MUSEUM ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (MAP) FEBRUARY 1
The Museum Assessment Program (MAP) is supported through a cooperative agreement between IMLS and the American Alliance of Museums. MAP offers museums an opportunity to strengthen operations and plan for the future through a low-cost, year-long process of self-assessment and consultative peer review. A MAP assessment engages a team of museum staff and stakeholders in a series of institutional activities and information gathering using a MAP Workbook. During this process a site visit is conducted by a Peer Reviewer who visits the museum and consults with staff, governing officials, volunteers, and other stakeholders. The Peer Reviewer works with the museum and MAP staff to produce an assessment report evaluating the museum's operations, making recommendations, and suggesting resources and strategies for implementation. Five MAP assessment types are available: Organizational, Collections Stewardship, Education & Interpretation, Community & Audience Engagement, and Board Leadership. Find out which assessment type is right for your museum and how to apply when the next application period is open. Apply here... |
| | | | CAFC FUNDING BOOSTER PROGRAM NOVEMBER 3 Any member can still join the CAFC free Funding Booster Program, designed to guide you in navigating grant applications and strengthening proposals. The program offers free monthly drop-in grant clinics on the 1st Wednesday each month from 10am to Noon, workshops, panel discussions, and one-on-one consulting with professional grant writer Jessica Morozowich. To register as a Funding Booster Participant click HERE and take the first step to strengthening your skills as a grant writer. This month: Artists Respond; CT Cultural Fund; SHARP Grants; and Theaters & Performing Group Grants. Register... |
| | CT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT Hartford's The Bushnell will host the 2021 Connecticut Economic Development Summit, a half-day conference that will feature interactive discussions on the policies and decisions driving economic recovery, how and why Connecticut is navigating the pandemic effectively, and how we leverage this moment in history into a sustainable future that includes everyone. This will be the first large DECD in-person conference since the pandemic. More than 500 participants are expected, including corporate partners, thought leaders, social media influencers, entrepreneurs, Connecticut stakeholders, new residents, top-ranking government officials, C-level executives, and Governor Lamont. Speakers and a full agenda will be announced in the coming weeks. Space is limited and requires registration. Learn more and register... |
| | NATIONAL ARTS MARKETING PROJECT CONFERENCE DECEMBER 7-8
Many arts and culture organizations have been shifting and changing how they deliver content, engage communities, and invite audiences to participate. The virtual National Arts Marketing Project Conference addresses these changes by bundling fresh concepts to inspire and set the groundwork for arts and culture organizations to adapt, survive, and thrive in 2021 and beyond. As the conference continues to be virtual, we remain sustainable, relevant, and responsive. Expanded registration support made available will also keep pricing affordable and accessible. Together, we look forward to navigating the changing landscape and exploring the road ahead for arts marketing. Register today and join us December 7-8! Learn More & Register... |
| | GRANTMAKERS IN THE ARTS DISABILITY JUSTICE IN THE ARTS AND CULTURE FUNDING Grantmakers in the Arts present Disability Justice in Arts & Culture Funding, a webinar asking how funders can be more thoughtful about how their day-to-day best practices impact the disability community? The discussion includes disability justice leaders in the field: Patricia Berne, co-founder, executive and artistic director, Sins Invalid; Alejandra Duque Cifuentes, executive director, Dance/NYC; Lane Harwell, program officer, Creativity and Free Expression, The Ford Foundation; Jerron Herman, dancer and writer; and Eddie Torres, president and CEO, Grantmakers in the Arts. . Register... |
| | CREATING SUSTAINABLE EQUITY FOR BIPOC-LED ORGANIZATIONSA 4-hour mastermind workshop focused on helping BIPOC-led organizations take the next steps towards equity by rooting out white supremacy in their culture and systems. Participants will explore shared values, social location and intersectionality, and how white supremacy lives in policies and practices, then work together to craft remedies and changes, including decolonized equity commitments. Learn more & Register ... |
| | ARTS ORGANIZATIONS AT A CROSSROADS: MANAGING TRANSITIONS AND PRESERVING ASSETS WEBINAR SERIES STARTING NOVEMBER 16
Arts Organizations at a Crossroads Toolkit: Managing Transitions and Preserving Assets was created to guide arts leaders through the significant transitions an organization is likely to face. Each of these ‘crossroads’ is addressed in the Toolkit: 1. Structural Shifts; 2. Departure of key staff/leadership; and 3. Creation of artistic and physical assets that deserve preserving. The hands-on guide includes practical tools, and stories and wisdom from organizations who’ve navigated transitions themselves. Now a three-part webinar series helps walk you through the toolkit, starting Nov. 16. Learn more & Register... |
| | | | QUICK CENTER FOR ARTS ASSISTANT TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
An ambitious, energetic, and quality driven professional. The successful candidate will support the Technical Director (TD) in managing the daily operation of the Theatre and it’s respective programming. The Assistant Technical Director provides technical assistance for University and Quick Center for the Arts functions; ensures the safe and effective operation of all events in the presence and absence of the Technical Director; and assists in the supervision of student and professional personnel. The preferred applicant will maintain, operate and or manage the operation of all technical equipment within the Quick Center for the Arts. Apply here... |
| | FAIRFIELD MUSEUM & HISTORY CENTER CURATORIAL ASSISTANT
The Fairfield Museum and History Center in Fairfield, CT seeks a creative and dynamic Curatorial Assistant to help develop the Museum’s art and humanities exhibits and collections in order to create a vibrant, visitor-centered, and welcoming regional cultural center. The Curatorial Assistant will help advance the Museum’s humanities scholarship with the goal of inspiring civic engagement, fostering community dialogue, and celebrating the diverse history of southwestern Connecticut. Learn more... |
| | FAIRFIELD MUSEUM & HISTORY CENTER EDUCATION ASSISTANT
The Education and Community Programs Assistant helps to create and deliver innovative, audience-focused programs that inspire civic engagement, foster community dialogue, and celebrate the diverse history of southwestern Connecticut. The Assistant will help to deliver a broad range of creative programs and events for K-12 grade students and teachers, families, community members, and adults that advance the Museum’s mission, expand community partnerships, and encourage deeper engagement with diverse audiences. Learn more... |
| | AMS PLANNING & RESEARCH ANALYST AMS Planning & Research Corp., a leading international consulting practice serving the arts, culture, and entertainment industries, has an immediate opening in our Southport, Connecticut office for an Analyst. The successful candidate will join a team of recognized thought leaders, professional management consultants, and researchers serving arts and culture organizations, service agencies, funders, and government entities across North America and, occasionally, around the world. Learn more... |
| | CULTURAL ALLIANCE OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY VOLUNTEER TRANSLATORS
The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County is looking for Spanish-flent translators for its weekly electronic events newsletter ("E-Buzz”) so we may better serve Spanish-speaking readers. The one-page copy will be provided by mid-day Tuesday for a 48 hour turnaround to CAFC each week. Volunteers will be credited and offered free membership to the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County. If interested please contact Lorie Lewis at marketing@culturalalliancefc.org Learn more... |
| | AMY SIMON FINE ART GALLERY SITTER
Westport-based Amy Simon Fine Art seeks an occasional gallery sitter. Flexible hours a must. Learn how a gallery works from top to bottom. If interested: Email info@amysimonfineart.co Learn more... |
| |
|
|
| JOBS, FOR SALE, KIDS & TEENS, VOLUNTEERS, & CALLS FOR ARTISTS - CONSULT AND POST IN OUR OPPORTUNITIES |
| | | | | SPREAD THE WORD!
Please help us expand the reach of our weekly E-Buzz newsletter with its selection of events taking place that week in our region. See the most recent issue. Share with a friend. Subscribe here. |
| | 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: |
| | |
|
