TORRINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) — Monday, the Northwest Connecticut Arts Council announced over $35,000 in grants to be allocated to nine Connecticut public art projects and programs.
The Northwest Connecticut Arts Council (NCAC) is just one of nine different regional partners that comprise the Regional Initiative Grant Program (REGI), organized by the Department of Economic and Community Development’s Connecticut Office of the Arts.
Kristina Newman-Scott, the Director of Culture for the Connecticut Office of the Arts describes the need for projects like these, and for programs like REGI.
“It is essential that we work with our outstanding regional partners to experiment with and learn new ways to more equitably deliver funding throughout the many municipalities and myriad villages that frame our state’s landscape. While these REGI projects represent a relatively small investment, drawn from a combination of our state funds and a National Endowment for the Arts federal grant, they can have a very positive impact on the state’s wealth of small, grassroots cultural organizations and impressive artists and creative workers. We think these neighborhood projects will add immensely to the rich, cultural life of our communities.”
Amy Wynn, the Executive Director of the NCAC, echoes this sentiment, explaining why the REGI program is crucial not only to makers of art, but also to their communities.
“Through its grant programs, the Office of the Arts invests in Connecticut artists and arts organizations, encourages the public’s participation as creators, learners, supporters, and audience members, and connects people to the arts to build vital communities across the state.”
This year’s grant awardees are:
Goshen’s Danielle Mailer for her Fish Tales mural project in Torrington
Falls Village’s Joshua Stone for his Song Book World project
Burlington’s Regional School District No. 10 for their work with the Nutmeg Symphony
Wendy Carlson for her photography exhibit featuring breast cancer survivors, to be displayed at New Milford Hospital
Winstead’s American Mural Project for their tile project with students from The Gilbert School
Torrington’s Five Points Gallery for their yarn-bombing public art project
Torrington’s Karen Rossi for her partnership with the Torrington Police Activities League for a children’s public arts project involving portraits
Goshen’s Thomas Hanford for his interactive performance as part of Torrington Historical Society’s 275th anniversary celebration
Torrington’s Prime Time House for a member art exhibit resulting from workshops with Sharon Coleman