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Sponsored by: Greater Hartford Arts Council
October 21, 2021 Giving Guide 2021

Greater Hartford Arts Council

MISSION: 

The Greater Hartford Arts Council’s mission is to be a catalyst for the arts and to promote an equitable arts ecosystem in the Greater Hartford area. Ultimately, our vision is that the Greater Hartford region is a thriving multi-cultural destination anchored by a diverse and innovative arts sector.

Greater Hartford Arts Council Staff and members of Hartford Fire Department distribute PPE at HFD Training Facility in partnership with the City of Hartford and Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

The Greater Hartford Arts Council helps to improve lives and transform communities through the arts. Thanks to the generous contributions of corporate partners and individuals like you, the Arts Council is able to provide critical support to nearly 150 non-profit arts organizations, so that they can continue to offer educational opportunities for thousands of children and adults, help improve health outcomes for our most vulnerable citizens, and spark civic dialogue to create a more vibrant and united community – all through the power of the arts.

As the creative sector continues to face unprecedented challenges, we have been able to continue our work and provide financial support and operational resources to arts organizations and individual artists in the region. We formed an Artist Advisory committee to help strengthen our role in arts advocacy, awarded nearly $500,000 in emergency relief and recovery funding, produced dozens of virtual concerts providing gigs for musicians, and distributed thousands of pieces of PPE to support organizations doing their part in keeping their staff and audiences safe. We strengthened our partnerships with the City of Hartford, foundations and individual donors to ensure our region’s artists and organizations would make it through the past 18 months. It takes all of us, working together, to ensure that arts organizations and artists have the support they need to continue to serve our region.

FUNDRAISING EVENTS/OPPORTUNITIES

Greater Hartford Arts Council Interim CEO, Kate McOmber.

Every year, the Arts Council holds The Art Social, our annual fundraiser celebrating the arts by honoring community members and organizations that have gone above and beyond in supporting the creative sector and gathering the community together with some of the best food, drink, and entertainment the region has to offer. This year’s Art Social will feature a food and wine pairing experience from the experts at Wise Old Dog and the chefs of Artisan both in West Hartford, as well as very special performances. The event will be held virtually on October 28 at 7:00pm. People and businesses can help support the arts and join in the fun! Visit LetsGoArts.org/Social for details, sponsorship and ticket information!

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

Our work is made possible by the generous donations of individual donors and corporate partners throughout the Greater Hartford region. Those who want to help support the arts in our community can join our efforts with a gift to the Greater Hartford Arts Council. Your gift will help ensure that we can provide grants, community programs and workshops for arts organizations and individual artists in the region as we work towards a thriving arts ecosystem.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Director of Community Impact Amanda Roy and CT Youth Forum Program Manager Alex Taylor share final creations from a CT landmarks art activity at I Am An Artist Day.

For those who would like to give their time, there are opportunities to join one of our committees: Make Music Hartford, Advocacy Task Force, or Grants Committee. Each of these committees is artist-oriented and action-driven, each with a different goal that aligns with our mission.

POST-PANDEMIC

For over 50 years, the Arts Council has supported the creative sector and that has continued over the past year. We run professional development workshops, award grants, produce community events, collaborate with cultural landmarks, and work across multiple disciplines, facilitating unique and meaningful connections. Since the pandemic began, we have been able to focus even more on being a resource to artists and organizations – not only financially, but also as an invaluable source of support and creativity. We also helped individual donors guide their gift to those who need it most and advised our corporate partners on how to create impactful community investments. While we continue to have hope that the pandemic will soon fade, the arts sector was devastated. We look forward to continuing to work with our donors and corporate partners to support the sector on the very long road to recovery ahead.

“I am very honored to receive this grant. I believe that arts, as a soul food for all human beings, is very important to all of us at this unpredictable time and we need to keep going strongly forward. Thank you so much for helping me.”

-- Recipient, Individual Artist Grant

ABOUT US

Year established: 1971

Annual revenues (most recent fiscal year): $2,681,574

Total number of employees: 8

GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA(S):

The Greater Hartford Arts Council serves Connecticut’s Capital Region.

TOP FUNDING SOURCES:

Corporate Support: 31%

Employee Workplace Giving: 20%

Foundations: 19%

Individuals & Events: 11%

Earned Income: 11%

Government: 8%

CONTACT: 

100 Pearl Street Hartford, CT 06103

860-525-8629

www.letsgoarts.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Karen Eisenbach, Board Chair: Voya Financial

Paul Guzzardi, President: Deloitte

Stephen Jackson, Treasurer: CohnReznick

Kevin Smith,Vice President: Travelers

Emma Ladd, Second Vice President: Lincoln Financial Group

Janet Link, Secretary: Stanley Black & Decker

Robert Braswell: Travelers

Richard P. Caporaso: KPMG

Mary Kay Curtiss: CLA

Christopher J. Delello: UCONN

William S. Fish, Jr.: Hinckley Allen

Eric S. Goldstein: Shipman & Goodwin

Carol Terry: Greater Hartford Dance Umbrella

Melanie Tucker: Hartford Hospital

Janée P. Woods Weber: Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund

T’Challa N. Williams: Hartford’s L.I.T.

Jason T. Gutcheon: Professional Business Insurers

Brian Refici: MarshBerry

Donald R. Seifel, Jr.: Updike, Kelly & Spellacy

Pat Shirley: Community Leader

Chris McGoldrick: UnitedHealthcare

Michael Pignatella: Prudential