| Erika K. Wesley Named New Executive Director
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Erika K. Wesley has been named as their new executive director, effective September 18, 2023. As announced June 5, David Green is retiring for health reasons as Executive Director of the Cultural Alliance, effective September 30. Wesley will work with the network to continue its mission to elevate the arts and culture community of Fairfield County through marketing, capacity building, professional development, and advocacy services. As a nonprofit leader with over 10 years of experience, she will provide strategic, financial, and operational leadership.
Wesley brings her experience in constituency management, program development, and strategic planning to her role. Most recently, she served as the Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for the Westport Country Playhouse. She has also worked with Fairfield County's Community Foundation and The Carver Foundation of Norwalk.
A longtime Fairfield County resident, Wesley holds a B.A. from University of Connecticut, an M.F.A. from Manhattanville College, and is completing an Ed.D. in organizational leadership from Abilene Christian University. Former Editor of the Manhattanville Review and INKWELL literary journal, she was named the 2014 Manhattanville Writing Alumni Contest winner. She is the author of the book "For the People to Drink" and the creator and host of the "Show of Hands" podcast.
Wesley states, "I am incredibly honored to lead the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County, a prestigious organization that plays a critical role in our community as a convener and networker for countless artists and art institutions. I look forward to helping the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County move forward in a way that widens arts access and opportunity in our region, and I am excited to continue strengthening our community's artists and the artistic and cultural hubs that make Fairfield County a thriving and creative place to live and work." | | | MARKETING ROUNDTABLE DEMOGRAPHIC INFO AVAILABLE
See On August 23, the Marketing Network convened for a presentation by Patrick J. Flaherty, Director of Research and Information for the Connecticut Department of Labor. See the video and the accompanying slides on the Changing Demographics of Fairfield County now on our Marketing Network webpage. The Office of Research gathers, analyzes, and disseminates information on the economy, workforce, and careers. In our Marketing Roundtable session, Flaherty outlined the demographic trends affecting Connecticut as a whole and Fairfield County in particular, focusing especially on developments since the pandemic. | | | | NEXT FUNDING BOOSTER SESSION: SEP 6th FREE and open to all members! On Zoom at 10AM
Join a Monthly Drop-In session with Development consultant Penny Cook. She will answer your questions and tackle any grant writing issues you currently have. Come with your questions about certain grants and any grant applications you have started.
PLEASE NOTE: If you haven’t registered for the program as a whole (you only need to do it once) register here. Once you have registered for the program you then need to register for each event. | | | | | CAFC TO HOST CT HUMANITIES WEBINAR Wednesday, Sept 13 at noon on Zoom
Are you looking for support for your public humanities projects? Wondering about the grants CTH offers and what might be a good fit for your organization? The Cultural Alliance will be hosting an information webinar presented by staff of CT Humanities (CTH), giving some basic information about CTH grants. Join us for an overview that covers eligibility, the application process, the various grant lines, and more. Register now to reserve your spot. | | | | BIG PROMO OPPORTUNITY FOR CAFC MEMBERS!
Join us under the Cultural Alliance Tent at the Waveny Park Arts Fest in New Canaan on Sunday, October 1, 10AM - 4PM. Creatively showcase your organization in any of the following ways:
Sign up for a 15 minute time slot with a performance or demonstration (first come, first served) Give away tickets or raffle items Share collateral material for the table (1 item type per organization) Volunteer to greet tent visitors
Please register with your proposed participation today! | | | | SPOTLIGHT ON ARTS & CULTURE PODCAST NOW AVAILABLE
Our August "Spotlight on Arts & Culture" focused on RiseUP for Arts, a member organization that is active in organizing mural projects around Connecticut, including in our region of Fairfield County. We spoke with executive director Matt Conway about how this organization trains artists, negotiates with municipalities and building owners, raises funds and coordinates the completion of amazing murals, often working with young people. We also spoke with three artists involved in RiseUP projects: Alissa Siegal, Lauren Clayton and John Paul O'Grodnick, as well as with Mitchell Kidd, with The Wellbuilt Company, that has sponsored murals in Stamford, and Marc Alan, with the Norwalk Arts & Culture Commission. | | | NOTE: Some content may get clipped. Click "View Entire Message Online" for full version. |
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