The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has awarded grants totaling $1.3 million over two years to the Greater Hartford Arts Council, half of which will be re-granted to local arts, heritage, cultural and community groups.
The Arts Council is the largest, independent arts council in New England.
Almost half of the money the Arts Council raises is distributed in direct grants to area organizations for general operating, salary or project support, funding for community events, public art projects and arts education.
“This program of support provides year-to-year stability for the region’s major arts organizations, allowing them to offer quality and innovating programming, collaborate to create region-wide arts initiatives, and educate future audiences in art, theatre, dance and music,” said Kate Bolduc, chief executive officer of the Arts Council. “If you’ve visited an art museum, run in the Hartford marathon, enjoyed Monday night jazz, or seen a play recently, chances are the event has been touched in some fashion by United Arts support.”
“The state of a community’s arts and cultural life is a key community indicator, both economic and quality of life,” said Linda J. Kelly, president of the Hartford Foundation. “Hartford’s arts and cultural organizations are a bulwark of the community and one of its major assets, drawing people from its neighborhoods, suburbs and internationally. The Hartford Foundation is proud to be a supporter.”
Initially incorporated in 1971 to conduct a united fund drive on behalf of five major arts institutions, the Arts Council has raised more than $61 million for the arts, helping to rank Greater Hartford in the top 6 percent of metropolitan areas in North America for its arts and culture. Its scope of service goes beyond dollars raised, supporting cultural community through umbrella marketing, advocacy, strategic planning, and technical assistance.
UNITED WAY HONORS BURNS & MCDONNELL
The United Way of Meriden and Wallingford recently honored the employee-owners of Burns & McDonnell for their ongoing fundraising and promotion efforts to support the United Way’s mission. Burns & McDonnell colleagues raised over $18,000 for local programs and charities. The firm provides engineering, architecture, construction, environmental and consulting services to clients throughout North America and abroad. Its New England regional office is in Wallingford. Pictured are, from front left, Emily Trigueros and Seth Gitman; back left, Geoff Thomas, Paul Leone, and Kevin Siniscalchi.
