HARTFORD – U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representatives John Larson (D-1), Joe Courtney (D-2), Rosa DeLauro (D-3), Jim Himes (D-4), and Elizabeth Esty (D-5) today applauded $1,053,800 in grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to support several projects in Hartford, Farmington, New Haven, East Haddam, Bridgeport, and Westport.

“The arts play a vital, valuable role in our communities—enriching our neighborhoods and attracting visitors to experience the rich cultural heritage and modern artistic scene that Connecticut has to offer. These awards are a wise investment, and will encourage many across the state to learn, create, and engage,” said the delegation. 

"The impact that the arts have on the vibrancy of our great state is immeasurable,” said Kristina Newman-Scott, Director of Culture, Connecticut Department of Economic & Community Development.  “We are thrilled for all of the visual, performing and educational organizations that have benefited from the vital support of the National Endowment for the Arts through these grants.  The outstanding work of these recipients as well as all recipients of COA funding, in turn, provides Connecticut citizens with ample opportunities to access and enjoy the arts through art making and participation.  We are delighted to celebrate our state’s rich and diverse arts and cultural heritage alongside our federal partner.”

Established by Congress in 1965, the NEA is an independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts. 

Project recipients and descriptions are below:  

  • New Haven International Festival of Arts & Ideas : $14,000  to support festival production
  • Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington: $10,000 to support the Sunken Garden Poetry Festival
  • Connecticut State Office of the Arts in Hartford: $739,800 to support Partnership Agreement activities
  • Connecticut Historical Society in Hartford: $30,000 to support the Southern New England Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program as well as  $40,000 to support the Cultural Heritage Arts Program (CHAP)
  • Artists Collective in Hartford: $10,000 to support the Jammin' Jazz series
  • Goodspeed Opera House Foundation in East Haddam: $25,000 to support the production of "Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz"
  • Park Foundation in East Haddam: $20,000 to support the Environmental Art Biennale residency program
  • Artspace in New Haven: $50,000 to support Game On! Artspace's annual citywide Open Studios festival
  • Yale University in New Haven: $25,000 to support a study of the relationship between arts participation and psychological resilience and well-being
  • Yale-New Haven Hospital  in New Haven: $15,000 to support Art Map, a program providing arts learning opportunities for hospitalized youth and their families
  • Architecture Resource Center in New Haven: $10,000 to support the Design Connections Partnership
  • Elm Shakespeare Company  in New Haven: $15,000 to support Free Shakespeare in the Park and accompanying educational and community engagement and outreach programs
  • Music Haven in New Haven: $10,000 to support Music 101, a tuition-free, year-long, after-school music education program
  • Housatonic Community College Foundation in Bridgeport: $15,000 to support the Housatonic Museum's Peer Docent Program
  • Westport Country Playhouse in Westport: $25,000  to support a production of Ayad Akhtar's "The Invisible Hand" with a community engagement initiative