CONNECTICUT OFFICE OF THE ARTS WELCOMES NEW STAFF MEMBER

It is with much excitement that we announce that Adriane Jefferson has joined the DECD/COA team as our new Program Associate.

Adriane has extensive experience working in the arts and cultural sector as an arts administrator, an arts education specialist and a performing artist. Most recently, she served as the Executive Director at the Writers Block Ink in New London where she oversaw all day to day programs, grants and community partnerships. We are thrilled to have Adriane on board and know that she will flourish in this new role.

Adriane can be reached by email at Adriane.jefferson@ct.gov or 860.256.2786.

Please join us in welcoming Adriane to COA team!

FY2018 GRANT  OPPORTUNITIES - Coming soon!

Information on our FY2018 grant offerings will be posted on our website in mid-January.

REMINDER

The deadline to submit an application to the Connecticut Arts Endowment Fund is Thursday, December 15, 2016 at 11:59 p.m.

Eligible arts organization may submit a FY17 Connecticut Arts Endowment applications via our on-line granting portal at https://coa.fluidreview.com.

Guidelines
Application instructions
Access on-line portal

ARE YOU AN EXCEPTIONAL ARTS ADMINISTRATOR?

We are thrilled to share that the Elizabeth L. Mahaffey Arts Administration Fellowship has been re-designed and the application will be available in early January 2017.

The Eizabeth L Mahaffey Arts Administrator Fellowship, which previously recognizes one Connecticut arts administrator with a $2,500 award to be used for professional development activities, has been updated to support one emerging (3-5 year) and one mid-career level (5-10 year) Connecticut arts administrator at $2,500 each.

We look forward to receiving some exceptional applications! 

HOT SCHOOLS WEBSITE WINS AWARD

The HOT Schools website has been selected by Graphic Design USA to receive the 2016 Best in Web Design Award.  HOT Schools worked with WORX Digital Marketing Services to design the site.  View this dynamic website at www.higherorderthinkingschools.org .

NEW BOOK:  HOW TO DO CREATIVE PLACEMAKING

In its ongoing commitment to producing resources for community engagement with the arts, the National Endowment for the Arts  has published How to Do Creative Placemaking: An Action-Oriented Guide to Arts in Community Development. The book features 28 essays from thought leaders active in arts-based community development as well as 13 case studies of projects funded through the NEA’s creative placemaking program, Our Town. 

How to Do Creative Placemaking is intended as a primer for those interested in bringing the arts to the community development table as a tool—along with housing, transportation, public health and other sectors—to advance revitalization efforts in an authentic way.

The book is free and joins other NEA-developed resources that assist practitioners and advance the creative placemaking field such as:

Exploring Our Town, an online collection of more than 70 case studies and lessons learned

Beyond the Building: Performing Arts and Transforming Place, a white paper resulting from a national convening of the same name

Validating Arts and Livability Indicators Study report describes the methodology and findings of a study to validate the NEA's proposed Arts & Livability Indicators that is launched today as an infographic. 

Since 2011, the NEA has awarded more than $30 million to support 389 Our Town projects in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

CONGRATULATIONS TO SECT!

Congratulation to COA’s Regional Partner – Southeastern Connecticut Cultural Coalition (SECT) for a highly successful Rising Tide series Inaugural Conference THRIVE!  conducted at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center on December 6th.  The conference drew cross-sector partners from all across the region meeting SECT’s commitment to ‘Connect, Collaborate, and Communicate.’  Kudos to SECT’s Board of Directors and a special high-five to Executive Director Wendy Bury and Assistant Director Deb Mathiasen for producing a terrific event! 

IN OUR GALLERY - AN EXHIBITION OF ARTIST FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS

2017 NATIONAL ARTS AND HUMANITIES YOUTH PROGRAM AWARDS APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!

The President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, is accepting applications for the 2017 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards.
 
The twelve award-winning programs this year will each receive $10,000 and an invitation to accept their award at a ceremony at the White House.
 
After-school and out-of-school-time arts and humanities programs, also known as Creative Youth Development programs, are encouraged to apply. Please click the following link to access the online National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards Application:  www.nahyp.org/how-to-apply/ 
 
Completed applications will only be accepted via the online process.  
 
Wednesday, February 8, 2017, 5:00 PM PST is the application deadline.

DID YOU KNOW.....

Over 50% of Connecticut adults personally perform or create artworks!