Hartford, CT— Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Representatives John Larson (CT-1), Joe Courtney (CT-2), Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), Jim Himes (CT-4), and Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) applauded $1,015,900 in federal funding from the National Endowment of the Arts to  support historical societies, museums, performances, and exhibitions across the state. 

“Connecticut is home to a dynamic arts scene, and this federal funding to support the arts will further enrich and enliven communities across the state from Hartford to Litchfield. This NEA funding will support research, preserve cultural resources, strengthen museums, and bring artistic projects to life, adding tremendous value to the national and local economies while educating and empowering communities. Despite these wins for Connecticut, the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget proposed by the Trump Administration shamefully calls for the elimination of these critical NEA funds. We will continue to fight tooth and nail to not only protect this funding, but strengthen and sustain it, keeping the arts alive so that Connecticut’s creative and historic gems can be preserved and cherished for years to come,” said the delegation. 

The full breakdown of the funding is below:

  • Connecticut Historical Society: $30,000 to support the Connecticut Cultural Heritage Program and related activities in documenting folklife
  • Connecticut Historical Society: $25,000 to support the Southern New England Traditional Arts Apprenticeship program
  • Connecticut State Office of the Arts, Department of Economic and Community Development: $730,400 to support arts programs, services, and activities associated with carrying out the agency’s NEA-approved strategic plan
  • HartBeat Ensemble: $10,000 to support the Youth Play Institute, a professional paid internship in acting, playwriting, theater design, or state management for young adults
  • Hartford Symphony Orchestra: $15,500 to support a community engagement initiative involving public schools and community organizations
  • Artspace, Inc.: $75,000 to support artist residences, youth skill-building, and arts programming to activate the Rock 2 Rock urban trail, linking East and West rock neighborhoods
  • Connecticut Players Foundation, Inc. (Long Warf Theatre): $10,000 to support the Long Wharf Theatre’s Contemporary American Voices Festival, a festival of new plays in development
  • Elm Shakespeare Company: $15,000 to support Free Shakespeare in the Park and accompanying educational and community engagement programs
  • Music Haven, Inc.: $25,000 to support a tuition-free year-long music education program of the Haven String Quartet
  • Wesleyan University: $25,000 to support dance performances and residency activities at Wesleyan University’s Center for the Arts
  • Neighborhood Studios of Fairfield County: $10,000 to support a multidisciplinary arts education program for youth from underserved communities in Bridgeport
  • Westport Country Playhouse, Inc.: $15,000 to support the world premiere production of Thousand Pines, a new play by Matthew Greene and directed by Austin Pendleton
  • Hill-Stead Museum: $10,000 to support artist fees and sound production costs for the Sunken Garden Poetry Festival
  • Litchfield Performing Arts, Inc: $10,000 to support the Litchfield Jazz Festival
  • Pilobolus, Inc.: $10,000 to support the creation of a new work as part of the international Collaborators Project 

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