From CBIA
In a sweeping move to strengthen Greater Hartford’s arts and culture community, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has announced a $6 million investment that will support nearly 50 organizations and several new initiatives over the next two years.
Unveiled as part of the foundation’s centennial celebration, the investment is designed to show appreciation for long-standing cultural organization and elevate historically underrepresented voices and ensure sustainability for local creatives.
“For a century, the Hartford Foundation has been committed to building and strengthening our region’s arts and culture ecosystem,” said foundation president and CEO Jay Williams.
“As a funder of arts and cultural organizations large and small, we seek to ensure that inclusion flows through every aspect of the arts and culture sector—from the people who create, to the programs that inspire, to the organizations that lead.”
The largest portion of the investment—$4 million—will be distributed through one-time Arts and Culture Appreciation Grants to 48 organizations in 13 Greater Hartford towns.
Grant awards range from $5,000 to $300,000 and are based on a percentage of each organization’s operating budget.
Three of Hartford’s major cultural anchors—Hartford Stage, The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, and the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art—each received $300,000.
Other significant recipients include Real Art Ways ($250,000), the Hartford Symphony Orchestra ($200,000), and The Mark Twain House & Museum ($200,000).
The grants also reach smaller organizations and community groups such as HartBeat Ensemble, Sankofa Kuumba Cultural Arts Consortium, and Hartford’s Got Talent!, with awards ranging from $5,000 to $50,000.
