CCT - CT office of the arts

I attended a CT Round Table yesterday discussing CT arts: The following is from their website
http://www.ct.gov/cct/cwp/view.asp?a=3948&q=464520



The Office of the Arts develops and strengthens the arts in Connecticut and makes artistic experiences widely available to residents and visitors.  Through its grant programs, the office invests in Connecticut artists and arts organizations and encourages the public’s participation as creators, learners, supporters, and audience members.  Through its program and services, the office connects people to the arts and helps to build vital communities across the state.

In addition, the Office of the Arts plays an ongoing convening role and provides an array of training and professional development opportunities.  The Office of the Arts collects and disseminates state, regional and national arts information resources via web communications, directories, publications, data-sharing, one-on-one consultations, and referrals.

Important Notice from the Connecticut Office of the ArtsIn order to strengthen and align the effectiveness and impact of arts and cultural organizations, artists, and emerging groups, and to focus outcomes on collaborative activities that create jobs and revitalize communities, the new direction of the Connecticut Office of the Arts will change as of July 1, 2012.

COA will strategically integrate current grant programs including Arts Access (Arts Presentation and Creative Collaboration), Artists Fellowships, Arts Project Support, General Operating Support, Local Arts Agency Program, and the Strategic Initiative Program into one wide-ranging, comprehensive resource designed to give constituents practical and creative options when applying for grant support. These programs currently receive $1.6 million annually in funding. In FY 2013, a total of $3.1 million will be available, almost double the current level. The new strategy will be designed to generate a broader impact through fewer but larger grants to organizations of all sizes, as well as to individual artists, in an open and competitive grant program.

Art in Public Spaces, Arts Endowment, HOT Schools, Poetry Out Loud, Peer Advisor Network, and the Connecticut State Troubadour/Connecticut Poet Laureate programs will continue as is. To view the full new direction statement, click here.

Current programs include:

• Art in Public Spaces
     > Connecticut Artist Collection
     > COA Artist Registry 
• Artist Fellowship Program
• Arts in Education
     > Arts Presentation Grants
     > Creative Collaboration Grants
     > Directory of Performing Artists
     > Directory of Teaching Artists
     > Higher Order Thinking (HOT) Schools Program
            - HOT Leadershops
            - HOT Schools Summer Institute
     >  Poetry Out Loud
• Arts Project Support
• City Canvases
• Connecticut Arts Endowment Fund
• Connecticut Poet Laureate
• Connecticut State Troubadour
• Creative Placemaking Pilot Program
• CTvisit.com website
     > How to Post Your Special Deals For Free on CTvisit.com
     > CTvisit.com Event Guidelines
     > CTvisit.com Event Survey Form
     > CTvisit.com Listings Guidelines for Properties   
• Elizabeth L. Mahaffey Arts Administration Fellowship
• Gallery & Public Art
• Hyperlink Policy for www.cultureandtourism.org  
• Marketing Challenge Grants 
• Peer Advisor Network
• Public Relations

I will be attending a post forum meeting at the end of this month and keep you informed of grant opportunities. The buzz word yesterday was placemaking, which means community endeavors with groups, artists and communities working together.