Greater Hartford Arts Council receives 2-year, $1.2 million grant from Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

Continuing its strong support for arts and heritage in Connecticut’s Capitol Region, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has awarded the Greater Hartford Arts Council a grant of $1.2 million, to be paid over the next two years. The grant will strengthen the Arts Council’s support of more than 150 area arts and heritage organizations, and bolster the Arts Council’s infrastructure.

This latest grant continues a dynamic eight-year partnership between the Hartford Foundation and the Arts Council to enhance the region’s cultural assets, which are a significant economic driver in Greater Hartford.  A major portion of the Hartford Foundation’s investment is dedicated to key grant programs that otherwise would not be possible.  Since 2000, with Foundation support, the Arts Council has created four new grant programs: Community Events Grants, which fund celebrations of all types within the City of Hartford; Heritage Advancement Grants, which build capacity at the region’s historic sites; and Jazz and Dance Grants, which help area jazz and dance organizations to attract new audiences.  Each of those programs will be continued for the next two years, thanks to this latest Hartford Foundation award.  In addition, the funding will allow the Arts Council to expand significantly its long-standing Neighborhood Arts & Heritage Grants programs, which funds cultural projects at dozens of organizations throughout its 34-town region.

The Hartford Foundation grant also will help the Arts Council build its annual United Arts Campaign by funding two new Workplace Giving Manager positions.  Workplace giving is the fastest growing segment of the United Arts Campaign, now accounting for a full one-third of the $4 million+ effort.  With this enhanced capacity, the Arts Council plans to more than double the number of companies which connect their employees to the arts through the campaign.  Monies raised through United Arts directly support grants and services to more than 150 arts and heritage organizations in Greater Hartford.

“This generous grant from the Hartford Foundation ensures our ability to increase our services to the broader community — not just cultural organizations but area residents and businesses as well,” says Ken Kahn, Greater Hartford Arts Council executive director.  “The Foundation truly understands the enormous positive impact the arts have in Greater Hartford.  Their long-term investment in this partnership is extraordinary.”

Kahn noted that the region’s arts and heritage organizations have a combined economic impact of a quarter of a billion dollars each year, support 7,400 jobs, and draw an audience of 5 million people.  The area’s unique character, quality of life and national rankings for cultural offerings are important assets to employers looking to attract top talent to the region.

“This grant, and our continued partnership with the Arts Council, demonstrates the Hartford Foundation’s commitment to investing in the community-based arts and heritage organizations in this region,” said Linda J. Kelly, president of the Hartford Foundation.  “Our investment is paying off in the form of a rich and vibrant arts community that benefits all residents of Greater Hartford.”

With this latest grant, the Hartford Foundation continues to stimulate the growth of the Arts Council’s Heritage Advancement Grant program which has contributed $871,928 to more than 24 organizations since its inception in 2003.  The program funds critical staff positions and programs at area heritage sites to build their capacity. At least 28 new positions have been created or expanded through this program, enabling organizations such as the Noah Webster House and Manchester Historical Society to expand their programming for area residents and tourists.

The Hartford Foundation funding also boosts the Arts Council’s Neighborhood Arts & Heritage Grant program. The program supports creative projects and programs by cultural, heritage, historical and social service organizations in the region that enrich the quality of life for their participants.  The grant continues the Dance Umbrella and Jazz in Greater Hartford initiatives that work to pool resources and promotional opportunities for the region’s jazz and dance arena. In addition to direct grants, the Arts Council features sections on its website devoted to these genres and provides umbrella marketing services for them. These artistic genres have become synonymous with the region, drawing tourism and providing a wealth of educational and entertainment programming for local residents. The joint marketing initiatives, collaborations and programming accomplished through the programs have helped to bring to light the many small and diverse organizations that make the community so vibrant.

The Arts Council’s Community Events Grant program is also continued by the Hartford Foundation grant. This program has provided $1,162,640 in funding to nearly 130 festivals, parades, performances and other community events in the City of Hartford over the last 7 years. Events ranging from First Night Hartford and Riverfest to the Franklin Avenue Carol Sing and Keney Park Family Day have received significant support from this program.  This initiative also allows the Arts Council to provide important technical support to ensure that the events are well run, well coordinated, and well promoted.

Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for the 29-town Greater Hartford region, devoted to building successful partnerships with donors and nonprofit organizations to enhance the quality of life for people in the community.  The Foundation receives gifts from thousands of generous individuals and families, and last year, awarded grants of more than $26 million to a broad range of area nonprofits.

The Greater Hartford Arts Council enlivens the spirit and economy of Connecticut’s Capital Region by planning, promoting and raising funds for cultural programs that are building one of our nation’s most vibrant communities.  It is the largest independent arts council in New England, runs the 8th largest United Arts fund in the country and is a national leader in diversified services and cultural promotions. The Greater Hartford Arts Council has raised and invested over $50 million for the arts over 36 years, helping to rank Greater Hartford in the top 6 percent of metropolitan areas in North America for its arts and culture.  More information about the Greater Hartford Arts Council may be found at www.LetsGoArts.org.