| | ORGANIZATIONS' NEWSLETTER News and Opportunities for the Cultural Nonprofits and Creative Businesses of Fairfield County, CT
October 20, 2017 |
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| | The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County is a nonprofit 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 this community of more than 550 individuals and organizations. Sign up here |
| | Quote of the Week
"I hope that we can find that place again in our world where we have a space to imagine a different world."
John Richard, filmmaker, Moving Images in Rural Iowa
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| | | | | Over the successful 2-day Citizen Jane Film Festival, co-organized by CAFC with Bridgeport DSSD and CT Main St Center at Bridgeport's Bijou Theatre, more than 100 people saw Matt Tyrnauer’s provocative film about Jane Jacobs, the visionary activist and writer who fought to preserve urban communities in the face of destructive development projects. Anthony Flint, author of Wrestling With Moses, and David Kooris, Director of Rebuild By Design, discussed the legacy of Jacobs’ neighborhood-based planning and citizen involvement. Jacobs’ strategies of high-density neighborhoods and working with nature were lauded as solid approaches to resilience planning. The role of planners emerged as a difficult one that accepts the complexity of environmental givens and understands the need to be responsive to the community: facilitators who link the local with the investors. Kooris saw the biggest challenge to be public financial support for lower-cost, high-density housing that developed organically: and here zoning reform is key. The short films shown on Sunday raised several issues in a discussion period - many of which will be presented in a follow-up meeting to the film festival: stay-tuned. |
| | COME OUT FOR A DESIGNERS' PARTY TO BENEFIT CAFC
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| | Please join us Thurs. Oct. 26, 6-8 pm, for our Designers Celebrate the Arts benefit - an evening to honor creativity and collaboration, and to support the Cultural Alliance. Enjoy cocktails, appetizers, and music, mix and mingle, and be inspired! Co-chaired by Lynn Morgan and Patrick Mele, the event is hosted by The Antique and Artisan Gallery, Stamford. Ceramicist Frances Palmer will introduce DJ Carey, Editorial Director of CT Cottages & Gardens magazine, in recognition of her work in support of the design community. $40. Tickets here. |
| | | Check it out, rent a space, or add your own: it's free! |
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YOUR TIME TO SHINE
Founders: Matt Oestreicher and Joe Gray
Your Time To Shine (YTTS) is an organization of inspired artists who are committed to healing cultural and economic divides through the joy and celebration of music. Its focus is teaching music and life skills to youth from in-need communities. YTTS was recently founded by Matt Oestreicher and Joe Gray, two performers who had worked side by side for years at Harlem’s famed Apollo Theatre and partnered to create a nonprofit that gives back to the community. Your Time To Shine is about bringing world-class artists and inspired educational experiences to the communities that need them. With a mission of providing children with the opportunity to experience their potential through an experiential education in the arts, YTTS’s curriculum challenges each student to bring out the best in themselves through collaboration, improvisation, performance and disciplined practice. Co-founder Matt Oestreicher is a producer, arranger, performer, writer, band leader, and educator. He is the arranger, keyboardist, and guitarist for the Apollo Amateur Night Band. As a performer, he has toured the world, appeared frequently on TV shows and performed and/or worked with artists like Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick, Cee-Lo Green, Will i Am, Ray Chew, Jon Bon Jovi, The Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and many others. Joe Gray has worked at the Apollo for almost 30 years, where he began as a truck loader and now holds the position of Head Of Stage. With a BA in music education, Joe has toured and performed with the nation’s top artists such as Lenny Kravitz, Kashif, Patti Labelle, the rock Funk group Cameo, and has recently received a Grammy certificate for his participation on the Grammy award-winning album by Stephan Marley. Watch out for Your Time To Shine's American Idol-style showcase, Nov. 3 at the Bijou. See YTTS' website, Facebook and Instagram pages, YouTube channel and Twitter feed. |
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PICTURE THAT ART CONSULTANTS
A Creative Business Member
Principal: Valerie Cooper
Picture That Art Consultants launched in 2002 in Stamford, and this year opened a branch office in Boston, Massachusetts. Over the years, this award-winning company has garnered a national reputation for providing a full range of innovative fine art services and products. These include art advisory, collection management, appraisal, curatorial and digital services, plus a wide range of art-related products, such as original art, limited editions, fine art prints, photography, branded art, murals and sculpture. Clients include Fortune 500 companies as well as a variety of businesses and organizations in the healthcare, financial, hospitality, academic and nonprofit sectors. Picture That provides customized art solutions for small projects, mid-sized renovations and new construction projects. Its extensive team includes art consultants, designers, appraisers, registrars, art handlers, conservators, restoration specialists and fine art-trained technologists. Picture That’s global network consists of established and emerging artists, representative of international cultures around the world. As a Certified Woman Supplier and Certified Minority Supplier, Picture That promotes the importance of a diverse workforce and employs and collaborates with numerous women- and minority-owned vendors and firms. Picture That is also certified as a Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB); a minority and woman business enterprise with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office; a non-gaming vendor with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and a registered vendor with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. For an overview of recently executed projects, visit Picture That’s website, Facebook page and Twitter Feed. Call 203-977-8203 or fineart@picture-that.com to qualify for a complimentary art design proposal. |
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| | ❦ – See a List by Town of all Organization and Creative Business Members: here
❦ – See a List by Town of Artist Members: here
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| | | ROUND-UP OF MEMBERS' NEWS |
| | Four Fairfield County Galleries Voted in CT Top 10 |
| Congratulations to The Aldrich Museum, The Thomas J. Walsh Art Gallery, Fairfield University, the Center for Contemporary Printmaking and Housatonic Museum of Art for being four out of Connecticut’s Top 10 Contemporary Art Galleries, 2017, published each year by the international online magazine, The Culture Trip.com. "Connecticut‘s community of universities, colleges and independent art galleries have helped shape the state’s growing art reputation. Tucked into large and small towns across the state are galleries showing contemporary artists, emerging talent and the best in American art. Culture Trip selects the top 10 art venues to visit during your stay in Connecticut."
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| | The Aldrich Museum has important news: its executive director, Alyson Baker will step down at the end of 2017. According to a Museum statement, during her tenure of six years, Baker oversaw the Museum’s exhibition, education, and public programs; strengthened its reputation as an artist–centric and audience responsive institution; and increased its base of support. Under her leadership, the Museum was accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, undertook an institutional assessment and rebranding campaign, and celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. Beginning January 2018, Tracy Moore, the Museum’s Deputy Director, and Richard Klein, Exhibitions Director, will act as interim co-directors during the transition period while the Board of Trustees conducts the search for Baker’s successor.
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| | | In its Annual Appeal, the Barnum Museum succinctly describes its resilience in literally battling the storms of 2010, 2011, and 2012 that ravaged its physical presence but stimulated its determination to become a "champion of instructive entertainment with cutting-edge exhibits." Working with world-renowned museum designers, BRC Imagination Arts, (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Kennedy Space Center), the Barnum is "poised to become one of New England's premier destinations." In the new museum, the recently closed Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth, will live on in exhibitions and displays. The show that brought joy to generations of families will continue to entertain in the new Barnum. |
| | The Bruce Museum held its popular ICON Awards in the Arts ceremony this Thursday at Belle Haven Club in Greenwich. Co-chaired by Pam and Bob Goergen, the event honored Doug and Mike Starn (Artists Award), Cricket and Jim Lockhart (Patrons of the Arts), Museum of Modern Art curator Ann Temkin (Museum Professional), Lynne and Richard Pasculano (Art Collectors), John A. Hays of Christie’s America (Leader of the Art Trade) and Paul Hayes Tucker, an authority on Claude Monet (Art Historian). Click image for complete, larger photograph of awardees.
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| | | The Greenwich Historical Society celebrated a milestone in its Reimagine the Campus Campaign, having raised over $6 million from some 100 donors, with a topping out ceremony. A centuries-old building tradition, local officials, Capital Campaign donors, guests and supporters gathered to sign a beam before it was hoisted into place. The new campus is expected to be completed in fall 2018 and will include twice the parking, a welcoming lobby with an elevator to the second floor, improved exhibition and archives space, a new museum shop and a self-service cafe. |
| | Westport Arts Center welcomes three new board members: Oliver Pursche, who brings over 20 years of investment management, capital markets and corporate leadership experience and who is a regular contributor on CNBC, Bloomberg Radio and Television, and other financial networks; Shari Lebowitz, who is the owner of Bespoke Designs, a couture invitation, stationery and celebrations studio in downtown Westport; and Leonard Everett Fisher, a renowned and beloved member of the Westport artist community, who served as the Dean of the Whitney School of Art, was named Academic Dean Emeritus of the Paier College of Art and whose artwork from his 70-year career was the subject of a 2015 retrospective at the Westport Arts Center. His is now focused on bringing the Westport Artists Museum to fruition.
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| | Westport Historical Societyis losing its executive director ten years. Sue Gold is retiring and moving to a home she has in Naples, FL. Gold started at the WHS as education director in 2004 and became executive director in 2007. Her legacy is an organization that has become a vibrant cultural center -- and is filled with her friends and admirers. Sue considered herself a "producer" at WHS. She feels the success of WHS is because of the talented people who live in the community. Bob Mitchell, current President of the Board says, "Susan has given her all for WHS. She’ll be missed by us and the community. We will do our best to live up to her legacy." More
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| | CT BUDGET STATE SENATE CAUCUSING MONDAY Courtesy of The Alliance (CT Community Nonprofit Alliance) Following caucus meetings in the House of Representatives on Thursday, State Senate Democratic and Republican leadership are planning to hold similar meetings with their members on Monday. You are invited to join The Alliance for a "visibility shift" on the third floor of the Capitol Monday, October 23rd, at 12pm to urge Senators to pass a budget that fully funds nonprofit services. Earlier this week, Democratic and Republican leaders announced that they reached a budget agreement after days of negotiations that have not included Governor Malloy. Both parties said they have made significant compromises in order to reach an agreement. While some aspects of the framework have leaked out following the House caucus, no firm details about the deal are available at this time. Leaders have announced that more information will not be made available until after they meet with their respective caucuses. Join The Alliance Monday, as the Senate Democrats and Republicans meet to discuss the budget. Click here to RSVP. |
| | Please also set aside some time ask staff, board members, those you serve and their families to phone, write a letter or send an email legislators to urge them to pass a budget that fully funds arts and culture. 1. Use the Find Your Legislator tool, 2. Use the CT Arts Alliance Advocacy How-To tips, and 3. Tell your story about why sustaining funding for the arts and humanities is crucial to the well-being and economic viability of your community and that of the state's.
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| TRUMP BUDGET & CHARITABLE DEDUCTIONS
Republican Congressional leaders released their long-awaited tax reform framework, which could have a negative impact on charitable giving. We all care deeply about fully preserving the charitable tax deduction incentive since nonprofit arts organizations rely on donations made by individual taxpayers for approximately 25 percent of their budgets. Americans for the Arts has produced a statement of concern, from which the following highlights were taken:
1. We commend the GOP proposal for preserving the charitable tax deduction for those taxpayers who itemize such qualifying expenses as mortgage interest and charitable gifts.
2. However, the GOP plan also proposes to double the standard deduction. This would have the impact of moving taxpayers away from itemizing their deductions. While this change would simplify the average tax return, it would also have a negative impact on the future of charitable giving as whole. It is anticipated that this plan could cause charities to lose up to $13 billion in donations each year.
3. Congress can avoid unintentionally harming charities by including a new “universal charitable tax deduction” provision that could be made available to ALL taxpayers, both itemizers and non-itemizers. With the incentive of a charitable tax deduction given to all taxpayers, it is anticipated that charities could see a $4.8 billion increase in donations per year.
Please use this simple form to urge Congress to expand charitable giving incentives to all American taxpayers. GOP leaders plan to move a tax package quickly through Congress by the end of this year, using this framework as the starting-point. |
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NEA REPORTS FINDINGS ON ARTS PARTICIPATION & HEALTH OUTCOMES IN OLDER ADULTS
Older adults who create art and attend arts events have better health outcomes than adults who do neither, is one of the conclusions in a new report published by the NEA. Staying Engaged: Health Patterns of Older Americans Who Engage in the Arts presents the first detailed look at arts participation habits, attitudes toward the arts, and related health characteristics of adults aged 55 and older. Four outcomes in health outcomes of arts participation fall into three categories: Cognitive, Physical, and Cardiovascular Health. 1. In 2014, older adults who participated in both Creating Art and Attending Art had higher levels of cognitive functioning and lower rates of limitations to daily physical functioning, as well as lower rates of hypertension, relative to older adults who did neither type of activity. 2. In 2014, older adults who participated in only Attending Art still had higher cognitive functioning, lower rates of hypertension, and lower rates of limitations to daily physical functioning than did older adults who neither Created Art nor Attended Art. 3. Among older adults who participated in both Creating and Attending Art in 2014, levels of cognitive functioning had decreased at a slower rate from 2002 to 2014, compared with levels for older adults who did only Creating Art activities or who did neither Creating Art nor Attending Art activities. The same advantage was noted for older adults who only attended art. 4. Among older adults who participated in both Creating Art and Attending Art in 2014, rates of hypertension and limitations to daily physical functioning had grown more slowly from 2002 to 2014, compared with the pattern for respondents who did neither Creating Art nor Attending Art activities. The same dual advantage was noted for older adults who only attended art. |
| | More information is in the Staying Engaged fact sheet and this Arts Data Profile with inter-active graphics. To left: % of Older Adults Who Participated in the Arts during the Past 12 Months, by Category of Activity (2014). Click for enlargement. |
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ARTPLACE AMERICA HOW ARTS CAN SUPPORT TRANSPORTATION GOALS
A study, commissioned by ArtPlace America, by Transportation for America explores seven of the most pressing challenges facing the transportation sector today, identifying how arts and culture contribute to solutions. The document is one of several field scans commissioned by ArtPlace to explore how arts and culture can partner with other sectors in community planning and development. Arts, Culture and Transportation: A Creative Placemaking Field Scan identifies ways that transportation professionals can integrate artists to deliver transportation projects more smoothly, improve safety, and build community support. Briefly the seven challenges and solutions are:1. Generating creative solutions for entrenched transportation problems.
Arts and culture can help develop better projects that attract greater community support by imagining bold transportation solutions that are unconstrained by traditional processes.
2. Making streets safer for all users.
Arts and culture can make streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists by using creative methods to help transportation professionals empathize with all users.
3. Organizing transportation advocates.
Arts and culture can help equip communities to organize and advocate for more equitably distributed transportation investments.
4. Engaging multiple stakeholders
Arts and culture can help shepherd transportation projects through the community input process more quickly and smoothly by facilitating meaningful participation in the planning process.
5. Fostering local ownership.
Arts and culture can help accomplish local goals, like encouraging walking and biking, or increasing transit ridership by including community-sourced artistic and design elements into transportation projects to foster local stewardship and use.
6. Alleviating the disruptive effects of construction. Arts and culture can help overcome the disruption of construction and mitigate the impact on businesses, residents, and visitors by using artistic interventions to create a more accessible and inviting environment.
7. Healing wounds and divisions.
Arts and culture can help remedy the divisions created by urban highways and other detrimental transportation infrastructure by physically and culturally reconnecting communities.
See the whole report here. |
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| THE ALLIANCE ANNUAL NONPROFIT CONFERENCE NOVEMBER 30
The CT Community Nonprofit Alliance (The Alliance) represents hundreds of nonprofit organizations across all categories, from Health and Human Service programs to Arts and Culture. It lends a powerful, collective voice to nonprofits throughout Connecticut, enhancing their capacity to build economically stable, healthy, and culturally rich communities. The 2017 Annual Nonprofit Conference From Collaboration to Collective Impact, Nov. 30, is a packed one-day event that enables all nonprofit staff to meet peers to gain insightful solutions and expertise from some of the top minds in the nonprofit world today. This year, The Alliance brings a diverse line up of leaders and experts presenting on a wide range of topics from inclusive leadership and performance management to the fundamentals of fundraising, and more. The keynote speaker is Jacob Harold, President & CEO of GuideStar. Previously leading the Philanthropy Program at Hewlett Foundation, he is considered a visionary and gifted leader in the philanthropic and nonprofit worlds. In 2014, 2015, and 2016, NonProfit Times (NPT) named him to the Power and Influence Top 50 lists. At the conference, he will share his vision for the future of philanthropy and new and creative ways for nonprofits to partner together to maximize opportunities. See more details here. Registration $145 ($175 not-yet members!). Register here. |
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| CT PRESERVATION ACTION PRESERVATION SUMMIT DECEMBER 1
Connecticut Preservation Action is holding its Preservation Summit, December 1, 8:30-Noon at The Lyceum, Hartford. This half-day conference is for developers, municipal planners and leaders, local historic preservation groups and others. On the program is discussion and information about historic preservation programs, tools and ideas that enhance and further community and economic development including tax-credit programs and Community Investment Act (CIA) funds. There will be two sets of “Five by Fives” - brief and engaging 5-minute talks by preservation experts on topics including: Section 106, CIA Financing, certified local governments, Land Banks, Blight Remediation, Tac Increment Financing, A Legislative Update, Making Places' CT Mills Survey, CT Main Street Center, and State of the State. Presenters include: the SHPO, Patric McMahon, Renee Tribert, Mike Dugan, Erin Marchitto, Mandy Ranslow, Laura Settlemyer, Frank Hagaman. Also on the program will be a panel discussion with John Simone and others on Successful Preservation Projects in our State. Register here. $40 CPAmembers; $60 non-members; $20 students and new professionals |
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| | Coming Up...Thurs. Nov. 2: New England Foundation for the Arts, Idea Swap, Worcester. Nov. 29-Dec. 1: Randy Cohen Visits CT (details TBA) |
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| NEA - MUSICAL THEATRE SONGWRITING CHALLENGE JANUARY 5
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced the expansion of the Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, a national competition for high school students who have a passion for writing songs that could be part of a musical theater production. Launched in 2016 as a pilot program in three cities (Dallas, TX; Minneapolis, MN, Seattle, WA), the Songwriting Challenge offers six semi-finalists mentorship opportunities with professional songwriters and musicians and the opportunity to have an original song performed by those musicians. Also, the finalists will be awarded a school scholarship and more. Applications are due by January 5, 2018. Regional semifinals will be held in February and the national competition among the six semifinalists will be in April. The Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts partnering with the American Theatre Wing and in collaboration with Playbill, Inc. and Disney Theatrical Productions. If your organization works with high school students, please help us to spread the word about this exciting opportunity! |
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NEFA NATIONAL DANCE PROJECT PRESENTATION GRANTS NOVEMBER 17
Want to bring more contemporary dance to Fairfield County? National Dance Project (NDP) Presentation grants are made directly to U.S. nonprofit organizations (a.k.a. presenters) presenting NDP projects on tour to support up to 50% of the artist’s fee, including housing, per diem, and travel. These grants support the dance field by making it possible for presenters to bring artists and companies into their communities, enabling audiences across the nation to experience work by some of today’s most creative and compelling dance artists. Each year, 25 to 30 NDP projects are featured in engagements in an average of 250 communities across the country. These touring engagements create new connections between the public and artists, offer unique opportunities for artistic growth, and increase access to the arts and the creative process. See the 40 productions eligible for hiring here. Contact the tour coordinator indicated for information on any given project’s tour dates, and to discuss joining a project’s NDP tour and receiving a Presentation Grant. There is no limit to the number of Presentation Grants a presenter may receive, but a separate application must be submitted for each NDP project. Please apply - and bring more contemporary dance to Fairfield County! Apply by contacting the tour coordinator listed in the directory. |
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WESTPORT HISTORICAL SOCIETY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Westport Historical Society (WHS), an equal opportunity employer, is seeking an experienced, self-motivated, and detail-oriented person to become its next full-time Executive Director. The new Executive Director will be charged with developing and leading a new organizational strategy. The organization seeks a leader who will respond to a growing number of diverse community interests, focus on the discovery of significant Westport stories and the individuals who created them, and deliver the next level of educational excellence. The new Executive Director will work closely with the Board of Directors to implement the recently created 2018-2021 strategic plan and lead WHS through an exciting period of organizational growth. He/she will be responsible for managing all WHS daily operations including: facilitating communi-cations and marketing, supervising staff, leading development, fundraising, and membership solicitation, overseeing budget and financial controls, ensuring implement-ation of history-based programs, exhibits, and learning experiences to enhance community engagement, preserving the town’s heritage. The successful candidate will have more than five years of demonstrated managerial experience, preferably in the museum field, with strong interpersonal, administrative, developmental, writing, and organizational skills. Qualified candidates should be strategic thinkers, energetic, creative, and resourceful. There will be a requirement to be the face of the organization through effective interaction with local media, schools, community groups, and the public. A passion for history and knowledge of the Westport, CT community is a plus. Prospective Candidates should click here.
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STUDIO BALLET SCHOOL
ARTS ADMINISTRATOR The Studio Ballet School, Norwalk, the training facility for the Ballet Etudes Company, seeks a full-time Administrator with the following responsibilities: Marketing & Advertising: Manage and maintain school/company website/calendar using SquareSpace platform; create all marketing and advertising materials for school and company performances; knowledge of InDesign, Photoshop, video & photo editing preferred; explore and propose new marketing strategies and tactics for school and company growth. Administrative Assistance: School registrations and family/student troubleshooting; system organization - formatting forms and reevaluating systems as they best serve the school and company; general email and phone correspondence. Communications: Create and maintain Constant Contact database and use as main marketing tool for in-house communications and announce-ments; liase with vendors, parents, faculty, crew/independent contractors; manage and coordinate calendar of availability, contract and payments with current and prospective renters; responsible for all press materials created and distributed for performances to print and digital outlets. Operations & Producing: Keep calendar and production schedule; maintain communications with stage crew, theater staff and ensure all contractual obligations are upheld; general support and front of house coordination for all performances; facility support where needed in the school space/ trouble shoot technological difficulties; assist and support Director on administrative, communication and technological matters. This position works alongside another full time employee and the Director. Email cover letter to Kathryn@balletetudescompany.com with resume and subject heading: "Arts Administration Position." Interviews will take place on a rolling basis. The deadline for applications is Friday, December 1. |
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| | | | | MEMBERS: Please post your Job Opportunities in FCBuzz Classifieds: http://fcbuzz.org/classified/jobs/ |
| | | | | OCTOBER
Nov. c6: People with Disabilities Foundation: Pilot Programs LOI Deadline |
| | 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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