|
|
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 |
| | | | ARTS & CULTURE EMPOWERMENT VIRTUAL AWARDS OCTOBER 22 - REGISTER TODAY! |
| | Don't miss the Cultural Alliance's biggest fundraiser of the year. Join us Thursday, October 22 for the 2020 ACE Awards, a virtual, cocktail hour celebration with James Naughton as our live host and MC, who will also introduce short filmed interviews he conducted with our awardees. Learn more about awardees... We are thrilled that Tony Award winner Joanna Gleason will give a live address on the essential role of music and arts education in her life and that of the wider community. Our vice president Cheryl Williams will speak about this tumultuous year for art and culture and Elizabeth Shapiro, Director of Arts, Museums and Preservation at the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development will also deliver a message about the resilience of the arts and culture in this continuingly difficult times. Get your tickets now!
|
| | OCTOBER SPOTLIGHT NOW AVAILABLE AS PODCAST: THE NEW NEST ARTS FACTORY |
| | The October edition of our monthly Spotlight on Arts & Culture on WPKN 89.5 FM, focuses on the new NEST Arts Factory. One of the oldest artists spaces in Bridgeport - founded in 1996 and nearing its 25th Anniversary - the NEST is moving into new, bigger space with 41 artist studios. Hear artist and Managing Director Jane Davila, artist Rick Shaefer and musician John Torres talk about the creation and impact of this new space. Hear the podcast here.
|
|
| CANDIDATE FORUM AVAILABLE ON YOU TUBE |
| | | If you missed the Cultural Alliance's presentation of an electoral candidates' Arts and Culture Forum this week, you can watch it now on YouTube. Organized as part of an ongoing series under the umbrella of the CT Arts Alliance's CreateTheVoteCT campaign, 18 of the local 76 candidates who were sent questionnaires about their position on supporting arts and culture in Connecticut returned their responses. Of those 18, we selected 6 to talk about the important of the arts and culture industry in CT. Hear Will Haskell, Tony Hwang, Alex Kasser, Melissa Lapine McCabe, David Rutigliano and Patrizia Zucaro at https://youtu.be/_ElLrUbc3jc |
| | SUPPORT CAFC AT THE GREAT PUMPKIN EXPERIENCE THIS WEEKEND AT SONO COLLECTION |
| Join celebrated artist Marco Santini in the Bloomingdale’s Court of The SoNo Collection in Norwalk this weekend: Sat & Sun, 12-5pm, as he creates custom painted artisanal pumpkins – and support The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County. Capture memorable photo ops with larger than life, hand-painted pumpkins, and take home a DIY pumpkin painting kit with a qualifying purchase of $75, while supplies last. Marco Santini is an award-winning NYC-based artist, fashion designer, photographer, and inventor who draws inspiration from inclusion, positivity, and language. |
| | | | HOLLIS TAGGART
Hollis Taggart, a New York City based blue-chip gallery, has opened a temporary satellite location in Southport. Founded in 1979, Hollis Taggart presents significant works of American art, showcasing the trajectory of American art movements from the Hudson River School to American Modernism and the Post-War and Contemporary eras. In the summer of 2019, the gallery announced the expansion of its primary market business to focus on the presentation of contemporary work and continues to expand its roster of contemporary artists, focusing on emerging and mid-career talents. Website | Facebook | Instagram |
| | PEOPLE'S UNITED BANK
A Business Partner Member Valerie Senew, Senior Vice President, Senior Growth Manager
Founded in 1842 as the Bridgeport Savings Bank, People's United Bank is today the second-largest full-service bank in New England with 403 branches, one of the largest in the northeast, and the 46th-largest in the United States. People's Bank Headquarters was built in 1989, designed by renowned architect Richard Meier. At 16 stories, the People's Bank building (known officially as Bridgeport Center) is the tallest building in downtown Bridgeport. In 2007, People’s United Bank established a $60 million charitable foundation, the People’s United Community Foundation, to help improve the quality of life for residents in the neighborhoods served by the Bank. Website | Facebook | Instagram
|
| |  |
URSA GALLERY
Cris Dam, Gallery Director
Ursa, is a brand new gallery, in Bridgeport's historic Arcade, built in 1840 and renovated many times and currently reinvigorated by artists studios and stores. Artist and gallery director, Cris Dam, raised in Alaska and Spain, moved to New York City in his teens where he grew into a painter, curator, and community organizer. He cofounded Dam Stuhltrager in 1998, one of the early galleries to transform Williamsburg into an international art mecca, was an original member of WGA (Williamsburg Gallery Association) and a founder of Williamsburg Art Central that organized the first neighborhood Open Studio event. Dam also spearheaded contemporary Williamsburg’s earliest international city exchange with Madrid. In 2009, Dam Stuhltrager expanded to Berlin, opening a gallery and six-month project space that transformed into The WYE. Cris has had a studio in The Arcade since 2017 and recently opening Ursa in time for the Bridgeport Art Trail. Facebook | Instagram |
| | | | The Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestras welcomed world-renowned violinist, Midori on October 10 to conduct a virtual masterclass for string musicians, with three top GCTYO Principal Orchestra violinists demonstrating their skills and receiving feedback from Midori. Music Director Christopher Hisey commented on Midori’s appearance with GCTYO: “Midori is one of the most accomplished violinists of our time. This is a rare opportunity for our students to get to learn from one of the true greats in the world.” Midori comes to GCTYO through her Orchestra Residencies Covid-19 Support Program, which is coordinating virtual workshops with Midori for youth orchestra members, families, and staff this year.
|
| | Greenwich Library and Abilis are joining forces to bring The Café at Greenwich Library to fruition. The Café will offer a variety of coffee and food choices, coordinating with local favorite restaurants. This venture is integral to the Library’s goal to provide a welcoming community gathering space while being able to help support the important work of Abilis. The Café at Greenwich Library will open later this year with online ordering and no-contact pick-up. The hours will be the same as no-contact pick up at the Library. The space is located in the newly remodeled lower level by the new Baxter Courtyard entrance. The Café at Greenwich Library was made possible through a gift from The Asness Family Foundation.
|
| | INTEMPO has been chosen to perform on The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ Digital Stage, Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 4:00pm. The ensemble of students and faculty will be performing an exciting and diverse program that highlights composers such as Chabuca Granda from Peru and Miguel Aceves Mejía from Mexico. This will be a virtual adaptation of INTEMPO's annual Cultural Crossover Concert -- a soundscape across the Caribbean, Central, South, and North America, featuring native and familiar instruments.Tune in to the facebook livestream here.
|
| | KEYS (Kids Empowered by Your Support) announces that Adrienne Reedy, recording gospel artist/worship leader and speaker, has joined the KEYS Board of Directors. Traveling around the country, as well as Africa and Central America, Adrienne shares the gospel message through singing. She is currently a music worship leader for North Stamford Community Church and a guest soloist for many churches throughout the country. Adrienne has recorded two cd’s, He Carries Me and The River is Here, and is currently in collaboration with a few other artists to embark on her third recording. Although she is new to the KEYS Board of Directors, she is not new to the organization. Adrienne has provided vocal coaching to KEYS students and looks forward to more engagement with the KEYS community.
|
| | MoCA Westport announces that Liz Leggett has been named the Director of Exhibitions. Liz has been with the Museum for over three years and has contributed greatly to the caliber of the exhibitions, including the co-curation of World Peace. MoCA Westport has also welcomes several talented and accomplished new teachers to their POD Learning program, including Amy Chaple, Erika Mcghee, Lisa Stretton, Colleen Thomas, and Nell Waters. The POD Learning Program provides support for individual academic needs while fostering an appreciation and understanding of the arts. MoCa Wesport has also received a FY21 Supporting Arts grants program through the Connecticut Office of the Arts.
|
| | | Neighborhood Studios of Fairfield County has been awarded a $35,000 grant from The New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) through the New England Arts Resilience Fund, part of the United States Regional Art Resilience Fund, an initiative of the U.S. Regional Arts Organizations and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, with major funding from the federal CARES Act from the National Endowment for the Arts. The fund provided grants to 71 arts organizations throughout New England. Neighborhood Studios is one of eight organizations in Connecticut to receive this grant and the only one in Fairfield County. The Connecticut Office of the Arts also awarded Neighborhood Studios a grant for $8,624 through the Supporting Arts grant program. |
| | | Norwalk Public Library bid farewell to long-time Library Director Christine Bradley on Oct. 9. Chris has been Director of the NPL since January 2020. began her career in libraries 50 years ago at Boston Public Library after studying at Emmanuel and Simmons College. She came to Norwalk from the Timberland Regional Library System in Seattle, first working in school libraries, then for the state library system and for the Connecticut Library Consortium. She has loved working for the NPL: "It’s been wonderful. People are so welcoming and anxious to collaborate and cooperate. I felt they have a respect for the library.” Over the last 10 years, Bradley has seen the library become more of a community space with bookings of meeting rooms going up from 2,000 to 3,000 over the last year. Assistant Director Sherelle Harris has been named as interim executive director, while a national search is under way for Chris' replacement. |
| | Westport Museum for History & Culture (formerly Westport Historical Society) has been nominated for the prestigious national medal from the Institute for Museum & Library Services honoring museums and libraries that have made extraordinary contributions their communities. The nomination was made by Congressional Representative Jim Himes (D), Connecticut. Over the course of 2020, Westport Museum has launched projects and outreach that has
supported the community through the COVID-19 pandemic as well as local, regional and national civil rights initiatives--including a virtual relaunch of its award winning exhibit Remembered: The History of African Americans in Westport with an accompanying walking tour of the town’s Black History.
|
| | | | SIMPLIFIED PPP FORGIVENESS FORMS FOR LOANS UNDER $50,000
The Small Business Administration issued a new PPP Forgiveness Application Form 3508S and 3508S Instructions for those small businesses that secured a PPP loan of $50,000 or less. The most significant benefit of the new form is that employee reductions and salary reductions are no longer penalized. Additionally, the new form does not require submitting mathematical calculations on how the funds were spent, but it still requires the borrower to submit to the lender evidence (bank statements, invoices, etc) that the funds were properly spent. SBA also reduced the lender’s responsibility to “verify” the evidence submitted. Because the maximum PPP loan amount is $50,000, this new loan forgiveness application will be most beneficial to self-employed gig workers and businesses with just a few employees. There are approximately 3.57 million outstanding PPP loans of $50,000 or less, totaling approximately $62 billion of the $525 billion in PPP loans. SBA just recently began approving PPP forgiveness applications and remitting forgiveness amounts to lenders last week on October 2, 2020.
|
| | AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS JOINS PROTEST AGINST DIVERSITY TRAINING EXECUTIVE ORDER
Americans for the Arts joined 150 other national associations and businesses in signing a letter protesting President Trump'sExecutive Order 3950, Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping that puts a limit on some diversity training. The letter ask for the EO to be withdrawn as it is creating confusion, leading to unnecessary investigations and hindering employers from combating workplace discrimination. The group said the order “is already having a broadly chilling effect on legitimate” diversity training and its ambiguity could lead to unwarranted complaints and investigations. The executive order, issued on Sept. 22, prohibits federal agencies, companies with federal contracts and recipients of federal grants from participating in training that “promotes race or sex-stereotyping or scapegoating.” See Wall Street Journal report. |
| | SHOULD MUSEUMS ENGAGE IN ELECTION ADVOCACY?
Many museums and cultural nonprofits in the U.S. have certain responsibilities when it comes to their political presence. In broad strokes, these organizations shouldn’t participate in any activities deemed “partisan.” This doesn’t mean museums can’t engage in election advocacy at all, however. Some of these protocols may be self-explanatory — museums shouldn’t tell their staff who to vote for — but others are less obvious. In advance of the upcoming election, the American Alliance of Museums has released a helpful guide outlining what institutions can and can’t do. The main building of The New York Public Library in New York City, for example, has been decked out to encourage voting, and the library is offering an extensive trove of election resources. Guide to election year activities...
|
| | NAVIGATING A JOB SEARCH IN THE COVID-19 MARKET
The museum field, and cultural institutions in general, have undoubtedly been hit hard by COVID-19 and many museum professionals are finding themselves job searching and considering career transitions at a time with seemingly more questions than answers, and fewer straightforward career paths to follow. Here are some tangible steps to take right now, if you’ve recently been laid off or furloughed and find yourself navigating a job search. See Full Article... |
| | MUSEUM CREDIBILITY CONTINUES TO INCREASE AS PANDEMIC ROLLS ON
It’s about time for more good news for museums, zoos, and aquariums. Cultural executives may now be growing accustomed to not-so-great news surrounding their institutions. Despite conserving funds and working to re-engage audiences during the pandemic, cultural organizations are not predicted to fully achieve 2019 attendance until 2023. But in June, we shared that museums, zoos, and aquariums increased in their perceived credibility as sources of information during the second quarter of 2020. This good news was the result of the hard work of the educators, curators, social media managers, animal caretakers, aquarists, horticulturists, communications pros, and everyone else at museums, zoos, and aquariums who have been sharing their knowledge on behalf of their institutions during the pandemic, according to Colleen Dilenschneider of Know Your Own Bone. Credibility perceptions for museums remained stable or slightly increased in the third quarter. Read full report... |
| | | | CULTURAL RELIEF GRANTS NOW AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 16
CT Humanities and the CT Office of the Arts are partnering to provide relief funding to nonprofit arts, humanities, and cultural organizations that are: continuing to provide arts and humanities programs and services but are facing financial hardships resulting from COVID-19; committed to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work in their mission and operations; and committed to the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community. These grants are funded through the generosity of the CT Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA). $5,000 awards will be re-granted (to a total of $85,000). Letters of Intent will be reviewed on a rolling basis. More information here... |
| | SIX IMLS MUSEUM GRANT OPPORTUNITIES NOW OPEN
NOVEMBER 16
Museums across the United States have six opportunities to apply for grants from the nation’s primary source of federal museum funding.
Applications for all six programs are due on November 16, 2020. The Institute of Museum and Library Services is now accepting applications for six grant programs:Applicants should review the notices of funding opportunity carefully to understand the program goals, which align with the 2018-2022 IMLS Strategic Plan. |
| | CT ARTS ENDOWMENT FUND NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS DECEMBER 15
The Connecticut Arts Endowment Fund (CAEF) was established by the Connecticut General Assembly to stimulate the development of private sector funding and to ensure the long-term stability of CT's arts industry by providing funding to organizations. Interest earned on the Fund's principal is distributed annually to arts organizations that qualify by raising more than $15,000 in donor contributions for two (2) consecutive fiscal years. Applicants do not specify a grant request amount. Grant awards are calculated solely on the following formula:
Year 1 "Prior Fiscal Year": For the portion of donor contributions which is equal to $15,000 or more but does not exceed the total donor contributions for the prior fiscal year, there shall be a match of 25% of such amount, capped at $250,000.
Year 2 "Most Recent Fiscal Year": For the portion of the total donor contributions that exceeds the total donor contributions for the prior fiscal year, there shall be a match of 100%, capped at $1 million. Applications due December 15, 2020. Questions? Contact Rhonda Olisky Eligibility and Application information...
|
| | 1772 FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES MATCHING NONPROFIT GRANTS DECEMBER 31
The 1772 Foundation in cooperation with Preservation Connecticut has announced that funding in the form of 1:1 matching grants of up to $10,000 will be made available for 2021. To be eligible to apply, organizations must have a 501 (c) (3) IRS designation and have closed any previously awarded matching grant. Funding will not be provided for schools or churches. All organizations who wish to be considered should submit an inquiry form which will be accepted until December 31, 2020 at 5:00pm. All applicants will be notified by email on January 15, 2021. Please email Mike Forino with questions. Application information... |
| | | | SUCCEEDING IN THE POST-COVID ERA WITH THOUGHTFUL DIGITAL TOOLS
In March 2020, museums and cultural organizations across the world closed their doors due to Coronavirus. Now, almost half a year later, many institutions are in the early phases of reopening. In order to initiate a successful reopening, digital tools and solutions will be a critical component to addressing new challenges around admissions, the visitor journey, and recovering visitors and revenue. Cuseum's playbook is the culmination of hundreds of hours of research, real-world experience, and conversations with museum professionals around the world. Download here...
|
| | SCENARIO PLANNING FOR THE 2020 ELECTION AND ITS AFTERMATH
Join the American Alliance of Museums on Oct. 21, 3-5pm, for an online scenario planning workshop, navigating possible challenges and roles for the museum sector during the 2020 election and its aftermath. In partnership with the National Conference on Citizenship, museum leaders and thinkers are convening this free session to support museum staff and imagine the roles we – as trusted civic institutions – can play in whatever 2020 has left in store. Scenario planning is a technique that helps teams have well-designed conversations about the future, especially when they face major uncertainty and change. It has been used as a strategy tool in organizations for over 50 years, yet is more relevant and necessary than ever. Register here...
|
| | SCIENCE-BASED SAFETY REOPENING WEBINAR OCTOBER 23
The next Science-Based Safety Reopening CT Arts Venues Webinar, offered by Shoreline Arts Alliance with the Yale School of Public Health, will be held Fri. Oct 23 at 10am. Topics will include:
- What does “Phase 3” mean for you?
- Winter is coming - next steps!
- Inform Your Constituents to Maximize Confidence
Speakers include: Dr. Sten Vermund, Dean, Yale School of Public Health; Dr. Krystal Pollitt, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology (Environmental Health Sciences), Yale School of Public Health; Marie Brault, PhD, medical anthropologist and public health researcher in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health. Register here... |
| | NEW SOLUTIONS FOR HOUSE MUSEUMS - LESSONS LEARNED OCTOBER 28
Join author Donna Ann Harris for this webinar, hosted by New England Museum Association, about the second edition of her best-selling book New Solutions for House Museums: Ensuring the Long-Term Preservation of America’s Historic Homes. Donna will share stories from a handful of her 18 case studies to highlight if the new uses or users of these historic sites made them more sustainable--even through the Recession--and the lessons they learned about stewardship for the long haul. The second edition will be published on December 15, and Rowman and Littlefield Publishers/AASLH is offering a 30% pre-publication discount if you are interested in purchasing the book. Donna will share this information at the end of her talk. Sign up... |
| | WALLACE FOUNDATION OFFERS FINANCIAL TOOLKIT/WEBINAR NOVEMBER 10
The Wallace Foundation has announced the release of the newly upgraded StrongNonprofits.org toolkit. A partnership between Wallace and nonprofit financial experts Fiscal Management Associates (FMA), this resource includes more than 60 free tools, articles, reports and other resources to help nonprofit organizations improve their financial health. Nonprofit accounting can be complex and overwhelming -- especially for leaders who may be experts in the mission, but are less expert with finance. FMA has come to the rescue for hundreds of nonprofits and created dozens of tools that help nonprofit leaders turn their numbers into compelling stories and effective strategies. FMA holds periodic webinars that offer a hands-on tour of the Strong Nonprofits site. Sign up for the next one on November 10. Sign up... |
| | | | STEPPING STONES HISTORIC HOME ARCHIVES & COLLECTIONS MANAGER
The private, nonprofit and tax-exempt National Historic Landmark, Stepping Stones, is seeking an Archives & Collections Manager who will utilize professional preservation standards and experience to: (1) oversee the care, storage, and preservation of a manuscript archive (approximately 100,000 documents) and historic object collection (approximately 10,000 items), including serving as a liaison to consulting conservators, (2) manage building and grounds projects related to the care and protection of collections, (3) manage an online archive and its volunteers, (4) lead the research, writing and creation of reports, presentations and articles, (5) be primary contact for researchers and related agreements, (6) be a cross-trained team member of the historic landmark. Full job description... |
| | ALDRICH CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum is seeking an energetic fundraising professional to join the team as Director of Development. A platform for artists, the Museum was founded in 1964 and today is one of the leading contemporary art museums in the country. The Director of Development is responsible for building and maintaining a growing community of donors, with a specific focus on increasing upper level patrons and identifying new prospects, and overseeing the operations of the small, busy Development Department. S/he will take a lead role in cultivating, soliciting and stewarding individual patrons at all levels; overseeing the annual fund; working closely with the Museum’s board of trustees; overseeing the Museum’s benefit events; and managing institutional grants. Full job description... |
| | FAIRFIELD MUSEUM & HISTORY CENTER CURATORIAL CONSULTANTS
The Fairfield Museum and History Center is seeking two contract positions. The Curatorial consultant and the Native American/Tribal consultant will work with Fairfield Museum staff, fellow contractors, and regional community members to head the development of exhibits and programs related to the 1637 Battle of Pequot Swamp. Under a grant from the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program, the Fairfield Museum will be developing a series of physical and online exhibitions, programs and other interpretive content related to the Battle of Pequot (or Munnacommock) Swamp. Application deadline is October 30, 2020. Full job descriptions... |
| | EASTERN CONNECTICUT BALLET GRANT WRITER
Eastern Connecticut Ballet in East Lyme is looking for an experienced freelance Grant Writer to create grant proposals for our non-profit organization beginning January 15, 2021. The Grant Writer will write compelling organized proposals and collaborate with the Executive Director to develop relationships with key stakeholders. Candidates must have proficient knowledge of fundraising methods and be committed to the mission they are representing. Preferred applicants are deadline-driven team players with outstanding multitasking abilities. Two years grant writing experience preferred. Full job descriptions... |
| | SHUBERT THEATRE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
CAPA-CT, the operator of the New Haven Connecticut landmark – The Shubert Theatre – is seeking an Executive Director to lead the enterprise as a key contributor to the cultural vibrancy of the city and as an effective partner both to New Haven’s arts and culture sector and with its parent organization the Columbus (Ohio) Association of Performing Arts (CAPA). CAPA-CT is seeking an experienced leader who will have the following credentials, skills, and abilities. A forward-thinking, energetic, and inclusive professional and someone who has demonstrated leadership and related professional experience; executive experience leading a performing arts organization or similar non-profit organization preferred; familiarity with touring programming is a plus. Application deadline: October 31, 2020. Full job descriptions... |
| | SILVERMINE ART CENTER MODEL
The Silvermine Art Center is looking for experienced models, applicants with no experience modeling will not be considered. Models will be required to pose unclothed or clothed for a variety of art classes including drawing, painting, and sculpture; Take and hold a variety of well-designed and visually interesting poses; Take a series of short poses varying in time from one to ten minutes to enable students to practice capturing quickly the essentials of an action or gesture; Take and hold a pose without moving for twenty to twenty-five minutes; take a five-minute rest and resume the pose; continue for an entire class session or as directed; Remember a pose exactly after rest periods; resume the same physical position, angle, and facial expression. Apply by emailing your resume and two work references to the School Administrator. Full job descriptions... |
| |
|
|
| FOR JOBS, FOR SALE, FOR RENT, VOLUNTEERS, AND CALLS FOR ARTISTS - CONSULT AND POST IN OUR CLASSIFIEDS |
| | | OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER Dec. 15: CT Arts Endowment Fund Applications Deadline
ROLLING
|
| | 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. |
| | | Support us through Amazon Smile. Click here to have 0.5% of your Amazon purchase donated to The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County. Thank you! |
| | 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: |
| | |
|
