| News and Opportunities for the Cultural Nonprofits and Creative Businesses of Fairfield County, CT March 2, 2019 |
| | 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. |
| | | | MEMBERS: PLEASE REGISTER ON OUR WEBSITE |
| | 366 of our 600 members have now created profiles on the new integrated Cultural Alliance website - please join them! In order to post an event on FCBuzz Events, you need to register on the website as if you are a new member, using the same email address you used for the old FCBuzz site as your contact email (call us if you are unsure what address that is) - or else you will be charged. Call 203-212-6894 or email with any questions.
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| | | NEXT SPOTLIGHT MARCH 11 Aim Higher Together Bridgeport Amy Dominguez, Darcy Hicks, Jahmane |
| | | Our next Spotlight on Arts & Culture interview program on WPKN 89.5 FM presents a campaign to use the arts to help end gun violence in Bridgeport and Fairfield County: AIM HIGHER TOGETHER BRIDGEPORT. This collaborative initiative (inspired by a national campaign led by TOMS), uses art and murals to share a message of hope, education and activism, led by youth, to save lives and promote gun safety. Partner organizations include: BLENDS gallery, Bridgeport DSSD, Bpt Generation Now, City Lights Gallery, Neighborhood Studios, SOURCE coffee, The Gale Heilmann Family, and UnLoad Foundation Coming up is a celebration and fundraiser at Bridgeport's Blends Gallery Thurs March 28, 5:30-9pm. Save the Date and tune in to our WPKN broadcast on 89.5FM Monday March 11, noon-1pm |
| | CULTURAL ALLIANCE ORGANIZATION MEMBERS: YOU ARE INVITED to a Cultural Alliance Organization Members Networking Party Tuesday, March 12, 5:30-7:30pm Westport Arts Center 51 Riverside Ave, Westport $20 all drinks and food included |
| | NOMINATIONS FOR ACE AWARDS OPEN |
| | Nominations are now open for our 2019 Arts & Culture Empowerment (ACE) Awards, designed to celebrate the passion for arts and culture in Fairfield County, and to raise awareness of the quality and diversity of our arts and cultural offerings. Awards will be presented in five categories in late spring at our 4th annual ACE Awards Breakfast: Artist, Citizen, Corporate, Educator and Nonprofit. Details and nomination form (where you can use upto 150 words to describe why you are nominating your choice) are here (bit.ly/ACE2019Nominate)
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| | | PANTOCHINO PRODUCTIONS
Co-Producers: Bert Bernardi & Jimmy Johansmeyer
Pantochino Productions, based in Milford, is Connecticut's award-winning, 'ridiculously entertaining,' nonprofit theatre company for family audiences. It is the only company dedicated to presenting 100% new musicals statewide, with a mission to entertain, engage and enrich family audiences with an affordable array of entertainment experiences, while providing nurturing training to young actors. It was created in 2010 by Bert Bernardi and Jimmy Johansmeyer, both of whom have been awarded the Cultural Contribution Award of Distinction by the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce. Bernardi is an actor, director and playwright - recipient of the Connecticut Critics Circle Tom Killen Award for Outstanding Contribution to Theatre. Johansmeyer is an award-winning actor, costume designer and educator, inducted to the Marist College Hall of Fame for his contribution to theatre, and recipient of three Syracuse Area Live Theatre "Outstanding Costume Design" Awards. In addition to musicals, Pantochino presents a wildly popular Summer Theatre Camp series, an acclaimed Teen Theatre program, an After School Drama Club and partners with The MAC for the Nite Spot Nights series. See Pantochino's website and Facebook page |
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| WESTPORT CONTINUING EDUCATION
Director: Christine Jewell
Westport Continuing Education (WCE) is a division of the Westport Public Schools, whose mission is to empower and inspire students to reach their full potential as lifelong learners and socially responsible contributors to our global community. WCE provides a rich array of learning and enrichment opportunities to residents of Westport and all area towns within Fairfield County. Classes, workshops, and camps are offered throughout the year after school, in the evenings, and on weekends for adults and children. Adult Classes include arts and crafts, business and money matters, cards and games, cooking, fitness/sports/dance, health and wellness, home and garden, languages, pet training, and technology/ computers. Kids classes include after-school fitness and fun clubs, tennis, arts and music, cooking, games, sports, STEM, theatre arts, ACT/SAT Test Prep and Driver’s Education. See WCE's website and Facebook page. |
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| | ❦ – Latest List by Town of Organization and Creative Business Members: here
❦ – Latest List by Town of Artist Members: here
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| | | | | ROUND-UP OF MEMBERS' NEWS |
| | | The Barnum Museum received a $50,000 Grant from Avangrid Foundation primarily for an innovative illumination design of the exterior of this national historic building. The Museum will work with an historic architectural lighting design firm to create a comprehensive lighting program that will showcase the extraordinary architectural details of the historic Barnum building. These include the elaborate terra cotta friezes by sculptor Henry Plasschaert that depict animals, foliage and historical scenes around the band of the massive dome. Carefully balancing the historic significance of the structure while acknowledging the modern, urban context of Bridgeport’s Main Street, the result will be a visual beacon in the heart of the city’s active downtown. |
| | | The Bruce Museum welcomed the New Year by accessioning 24 separate gifts totaling 202 objects from the fields of art, history, and natural history to complement its exhibitions. Among works by noted artists Alfred Thompson Bricher, Emil Carlsen, Elmer MacRae, and Emilio Sánchez-Perrier were two landscapes by American painter Frank Vincent DuMond, donated by Jill Warren. DuMond was an important American Impressionist and popular instructor at the Art Students League in New York. At right, his Margaree Forks (oil on canvas, 39.5 x 33, framed). More... |
| | Curtain Call, for the sixth year running, won the Grand Prize ($15,000) for most funds raised during the 24-hour Feb. 28 Fairfield County Giving Day 2019, organized by Fairfield County's Community Foundation. Curtain Call also won the Top of the Morning Prize ($2500) for raising the most dollars by 9am, and the Lunch Time Power Hour Prize ($2,500) for raising the most dollars between 12pm and 1pm. Overall, Curtain Call raised $115,515 from 1,045 individual donors. Congratulations!
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| | | Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum announces the appointment of Trudy Dujardin to its Board of Trustees. Trudy is a distinguished interior designer, a passionate environmental educator and a LEED Accredited Professional. She serves as an adjunct professor at Fairfield University, is the author of Comfort Zone: Creating the Eco-Elegant Interior, is a member of the American Society of Interior Design’s College of Fellows, and a Senior Fellow with The Design Futures Council (DFC). More... |
| | Wildlife in Crisis (WIC) won Grand Prize - Second Place ($10,000) for raising the second-largest amount of funds ($69,611 from 150 donors) during last week's Fairfield County Giving Day 2019, organized by Fairfield County's Community Foundation. WIC also won one of the two $2500 prizes awarded to environment-focused nonprofits that raised the most dollars between 10am-11am, the Environment Power Hour (the other winning nonprofit was Norwalk Land Trust). Congratulations to Wildlife in Crisis. For complete list of results see fcgives.org/leaderboards
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| | | | ARTS, CULTURE, & TOURISM BILLS MAY HELP BOOST FUNDING
While Gov. Ned Lamont presented his first two-year budget proposal last week (see pp. C-21-22 for arts and culture line items), keeping current levels of arts and tourism funding, there are still opportunities to benefit arts, culture and tourism through several legislative bills, as well as continued negotiations with the budget. Here are six: 1. House Bill No. 6842: An Act Increasing Occupancy Tax Deposits Into The Tourism Fund (Rep. Devin Carney, R-Old Lyme). This would reallocate the percentage of the occupancy tax that goes into the state’s tourism fund from 10 to 20%, following a proposal from the Lamont-Bysiewicz Arts, Culture and Tourism (ACT) Transition Committee to allocate 25% of the lodging tax to the state’s tourism fund as a path to job creation and statewide economic development. Referred to the Joint Committee on Commerce. 2. H.B. No. 6806: An Act Establishing A Connecticut Cultural Facilities Fund Proposed by: (Rep. Christine Palm, D-Chester, Deep River, Essex, Haddam). Create a public-private Cultural Facilities Fund as a pipeline to job growth and arts accessibility. A parallel Massachusetts Fund has awarded over $100 million in grants to almost 900 cultural projects, in its 10-years. Referred to the Joint Committee on Commerce. 3. HB-5444: An Act Requiring Licensure Of Art Therapists (Rep. Mitch Bolinsky, R- Newtown). Recognize art therapy as part of the mental health profession, requiring practitioners to be properly licensed through an accredited graduate program and the Connecticut Department of Public Health. The bill received bipartisan support at a January hearing. 4. H.B. No. 6939: An Act Concerning The Establishment Of Municipal Cultural Districts (Rep. Sen John Frey R-Ridgefield). Districts would “create awareness and promote economic development around the creative, cultural and historic significance of neighborhoods." In a public hearing, advocates presented it as a driver of tourism and cross-sector economic development, citing a $7 to $1 return on investment on funding for arts and cultural programs. 5. H.B. No. 5805: An Act Concerning The Taxation of For-Profit Secondary Market Ticket Sellers (Rep. Patricia Dillon, D-West New Haven). For-profit secondary ticket sellers offering events in Connecticut would be taxed. Referred to Joint Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding. 6. S.B. No. 259 An Act Concerning The Imposition of Sales and Use Taxes On Peer-To-Peer Hospitality Services (Sen. Norm Needleman, D-Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland and Westbrook). Expanding the occupancy tax to services like AirBnB, HomeAway, and VBRO would increase occupancy tax revenue that goes into the tourism fund, of which the arts get 40 percent. Connecticut Tourism Coalition President Stephen Tagliatela has said AirBnB has been willing to pay without extra legislation making the company do so. Read public hearing testimony here. With thanks to Arts New Haven ArtsPaper, article by Lucy Gellman. |
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| AMERICANS FOR ARTS DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION IN THE FIELD
2. Initiate an Arts & Cultural Equity Fellows program in 6 cities in the Great Lakes region. 3. Launch an Arts & Culture Leaders of Color Network including a Leaders of Color Forum immersive, 3-day retreat |
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| | | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: Exhibits, Speakers, and Remarks from Legislators
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Tourism Caucus Meeting
Legislative Office Building, 300 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106 REGISTER HERE. Arts organizations, please share this invitation with your board, staff, and volunteers! Let's show our legislators how the arts can turn out to advocate! |
| | | | | 2019 BIG-E EXHIBIT IN THE CONNECTICUT BUILDING DEADLINE: MARCH 8
The Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) is accepting applications for exhibition space in the Connecticut Building at the 2019 Eastern States Exposition (The Big E), Fri. Sept. 13 - Sun. Sept. 29, 2019 in West Springfield, Massachusetts. The Big E is the largest agricultural event on the Eastern seaboard. Among the most popular attractions are the state exhibition houses along the Avenue of States. Within the Connecticut Building, which showcases items produced, grown, crafted or manufactured in Connecticut, local businesses and non-profit organizations are invited to exhibit to help promote: tourism and cultural attractions; the state's agriculture and natural resources; Connecticut-based industries; and the talent, skill and innovation of Connecticut residents, organizations and businesses. This is a great opportunity for arts and culture organizations as well as individual artists and crafters to promote themselves and their products to the over 1 million people who visit the Connecticut Building. There are three (3) types of exhibition opportunities: Full-time exhibitor (17 days); Part-time exhibitor (2 or more consecutive days); or Connecticut Showcase Vendor (1-2 days only). Exhibition space is available at a rate of $25/sq. ft. The cost includes admission tickets, parking, electricity and water (if applicable).
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| CONNECTICUT OPEN HOUSE DAY 2019 JUNE 8 DEADLINE: APRIL 11
Connecticut Open House Day is an annual event scheduled for the second Saturday of June, when cultural organizations and tourism attractions throughout the state open their doors to Connecticut residents and invite them to discover — and rediscover — Connecticut’s fascinating world of art, history, film and tourism with a variety of special in-state visitor incentives. Coordinated by the Connecticut Office of Tourism, this unique one-day event is a great way for residents to enjoy the wealth of treasures offered right here in Connecticut. For businesses, it’s an easy way to showcase your attraction and inspire future visits. Join the hundreds of statewide tourism businesses from historical sites to museums, art galleries to attractions, as they roll out their welcome mats inviting Connecticut residents to enjoy great deals such as: ● Free admission at 90+ attractions; ● Free tours at 45+ properties; ● Special offers and giveaways at 115+ businesses. To participate and enjoy the free marketing opportunities provided by the CT Office of Tourism you need to register by April 11. To download a form to mail in, click here. To complete a form online, click here.
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| | NOMINATE A CT ARTS HERO - MARCH 28 |
| The Connecticut Office of the Arts invites you to nominate a Connecticut Arts Hero - someone you know and admire for the extraordinary work they are doing in the arts, for the arts or through the arts in Connecticut. The Office of the Arts introduced the Arts Hero Awards to honor and celebrate Connecticut residents who are doing outstanding work in the arts and we hope you will take a moment to submit a nomination! The deadline to submit a nomination is Thursday, March 28, 2019. The 2019 Connecticut Arts Heroes will be honored in a special evening event on Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at 6 pm at Infinity Music Hall in Hartford, Connecticut. |
| | | | COMMON FIELD CONVENING PHILADELPHIA APRIL 25-28
Common Field, a national network of experimental, independent, visual arts organizations and organizers, hosts the Annual Common Field Convening from April 25 - 28, 2019 in Philadelphia, PA at the Friends Center: The Quaker Hub for Peace & Justice and a constellation of sites across the city. The Common Field Convening is an itinerant gathering that brings together 500+ local and national arts organizers to explore the state of the field of artists organizations and to share resources, knowledge and methods for artist-led, artist-run, and artist-centered projects, spaces and practices. Over the past year, Common Field and an expansive network of Philadelphians have worked to connect the local contexts and conditions with the interests of the national Common Field Network. There is an urgency to gather around issues of social justice and equity as well as practical needs and tools for many organizations in our network. It is a critically relevant moment to unite around common and uncommon causes, and the future. Registration fees start at $65 for a Day Pass, to $125 for a Convening Pass and more. Register here. Selected from a national open call from the Network, Common Field presents 24 break-out sessions presented by 100+ leading arts organizers. Hear from critical voices of our field on topics and themes as varied, integral and far-ranging as organizational growth and transitions, visual arts podcasting, archiving, race & curation, education, and strategies of creative resistance + resilience. Check out the program, presenters, and full schedule on the website! |
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| ASSOCIATION OF ART MUSEUM CURATORS NEW YORK MAY 4-7 DEADLINE: MARCH 15
The Association of Art Museum Curators (AAMC) & AAMC Foundation 2017 Annual Conference & Meeting, May 6-9, 2017, New York City, is a robust program addressing topics of inclusion and access throughout the schedule. To review the full schedule in detail please click here. Early bird registration rates are available through Friday, March 10. More than 400 curators will come together to explore ways of creating inclusiveness and community through engagement with each other, the roster of speakers, and the sites that we will visit. In a new, more conversational format, activities are embracing shared learning through concurrent sessions and dialogues. To encourage an interchange between the speakers and the attendees, we will hold community colloquiums, rather than sessions driven by a lecture format. This interactive process will produce innovative concept building among those present. Restored and new buildings, such as the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, and the International Center of Photography at the ICP Museum will host special events to encourage curators to think innovatively. The main sessions needing large auditoriums will occur at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Brooklyn Museum with special emphasis on how such major institutions are encouraging community engagement and access. The conference is for members only. Registration closes March 15. |
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| | | Professional Development Events Coming Up… May 2: CT Office of the Arts: CT Arts Day. New Haven |
| | | | NORWALK HISTORICAL SOCIETY CURATORIAL ASSISTANT/ COLLECTIONS MANAGER
The Norwalk Historical Society seeks a part-time Curatorial Assistant/ Collections Manager. The Society was incorporated in 1899, with focus on the research, preservation, and promotion of interest in the history of Norwalk. The collection is comprised of artifacts, paintings, photographs, archives and ephemera. The successful candidate will perform a variety of curatorial museum services, including collection, preservation, exhibition, interpretation and research. Qualifications will include: strong computer skills - expert facility in Microsoft Office or equivalent, Word, Excel and PowerPoint and Adobe Photoshop; knowledge of registrar database software, preferably PastPerfect Museum Software; ability to prepare loan forms, incoming/outgoing receipts, and accessioning objects; a knowledge of museum registration processes and standards including applicable laws and ethical codes as set forth by AAM; a knowledge of current best practices and standards in the field; a familiarity and experience with rights and reproductions and digitization; experience with handling, storing, and conservation with a medium collection and/or multiple sites,
including artifacts and archival materials; excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills (both written and verbal); ability to supervise the work of volunteers and interns; comfortable and confident interacting with the public; an ability to be equally effective working independently or part of a team; some physical activity such as climbing ladders, stairs, lifting boxes up to 40 pounds, and
kneeling is required. Bachelor’s degree required; Masters Degree preferred in history, art history, museum studies or related field with a minimum of five years experience. Part-time up to 40 hours per month. Compensation is commensurate with experience and qualifications. To apply: email a letter outlining your interest and qualifications for the position, resume or CV, writing sample and a list of three professional references, here. No phone calls please. |
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| PEQUOT LIBRARY PUBLIC PROGRAMS MANAGER
Pequot Library seeks a dynamic and enthusiastic nonprofit arts professional as a Public Programs Manager to develop a wide variety of interpretive programs for all ages that are inspired by the rotating schedule of visual art and Special Collections exhibitions, Children’s Library initiatives, and innovative public library multidisciplinary learning opportunities.
Responsibilities:
Adult programs:
• Manage an ambitious schedule of programs involving artists, authors, musicians, performers and other vendors in the form of gallery talks, panel discussions, symposia, music concerts, theatrical performances, dance, book discussions/signings, and other related programming.
• Collaborate with the Library’s longstanding Meet the Author committee and community partner, Music for Youth as well as other similar community groups.
• Work closely with colleagues to develop a robust line-up of innovative interdisciplinary learning experiences for a diverse audience, including film series, day art /history trips, scholarly presentations, hands-on art-making and writing workshops, inter-generational learning opportunities, life-long learning opportunities for older adults, and other experiential opportunities inspired by the Library’s collections and exhibitions.
Children/family programs:
• Working closely with the Children’s Librarian, support the Library’s annual family and community events.
• Collaborate with colleagues to develop one-time and ongoing youth programs in conjunction with the circulating collection of library holdings.
PreK-12 schools/ educators:
• Working closely with the Children’s Librarian and Education Coordinator, this position develops and implements a robust schedule of preK-12 schools after-school, summer, and break programs throughout the year, including the annual Fairfield Public Schools student art exhibitions and the Books for Teachers program.
• Manage the Library’s community outreach • Develop and manage all speaker/ performer contracts, and more. • Minimum Qualifications
• Master’s degree in Education, a Humanities subject, with at least five years of professional experience working in a library, nonprofit arts and/or culture organization, or a museum/historical society.
• Proven track record of developing innovative public programs related to a wide variety of humanities fields and current events.
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills for a variety of audiences and ages.
• Prior supervision of professional staff & volunteer management. Candidates should send a confidential letter of interest, c.v./résumé, and three references (in one document) with the subject heading Public Programs Manager to jobs@pequotlibrary.org. |
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| | | | FOR JOBS, FOR SALE, FOR RENT, VOLUNTEERS, AND CALLS FOR ARTISTS - CONSULT AND POST IN OUR CLASSIFIEDS |
| | | | | SPREAD THE WORD!
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| | | | | MARCH March c8: Westport Woman's Club: Ruegg Grant Application Deadline March 11: Americans for the Arts Convention Scholarships: Application Deadline
APRIL
MAY
May c1: CT OECD: Good to Great Grant Program - Letter of Intent Deadline ROLLING
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| | 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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