Celebrate the Arts at State Capitol on March 2nd
NORWALK/HARTFORD (February 23, 2016): Hundreds of artists and arts leaders, supporters and innovators are expected at the state capitol in Hartford on March 2 to join in Connecticut Arts Day, a free, day-long event that celebrates the multi-faceted reach of Connecticut’s cultural community.
The theme of this year’s annual event is the many ways the arts connect with our everyday lives, whether at home, at work, or in school, and how the arts impact the elderly, veterans, social justice, our health, as well as the economy.
“Connecticut has a wealth of cultural gems, large and small, that shine brightly across the state and the nation, but what’s not so well-known is how the arts reach more quietly, deeply, and personally into nearly every aspect of community life,” said Kristina Newman-Scott, director of culture in the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD). “We plan to put a spotlight on that very human side to the arts.”
“Moving the Arts from Nice, to Necessary” is the slogan of this year’s event, which is co-sponsored by DECD’s Connecticut Office of the Arts in partnership with the state’s nine designated regional service organizations*, Connecticut Arts Alliance, Connecticut Arts Council, and the Culture & Tourism Advisory Committee.
CT Arts Day will feature state and nationally acclaimed artists, advocates and innovators.Among them:
• Titus Kaphar, a New Haven artist who Time Magazine commissioned to create the visual image for its cover depicting the Ferguson protests.
• Jay Dick, senior director of state and government affairs from the national advocacy group Americans for the Arts who will present the latest impressive data about how the arts impact the economy. • Theo Edmonds, co-founder of IDEAS xLab in Louisville, KY, a catalytic organization run by artists and art professionals connecting the arts with corporations and communities in the areas of healthcare, workforce development and vocational education.
Catherine Smith, commissioner of DECD, State Senators Bob Duff and Tony Hwang and State Rep. Matt Ritter will speak about the value of the arts to the state. Also participating are leaders from the business community, including Robert Santy, president and CEO of the Connecticut Economic Resource Center and Joe Brennan, president and CEO of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association.
