Age: 31Title: Programming DirectorCompany: Hartford PerformsLocation: HartfordHometown: HartfordCollege: Eastern Connecticut State UniversityBioJaclynn Hart began working with Hartford Performs in 2010 as the organization’s first full-time employee. As programming director, she supports the organization’s mission to ensure that all students in Hartford Public Schools have equitable access to quality arts education by overseeing student programming and […]
Get Instant Access to This Article
Subscribe to Hartford Business Journal and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.
- Critical Hartford and Connecticut business news updated daily.
- Immediate access to all subscriber-only content on our website.
- Bi-weekly print or digital editions of our award-winning publication.
- Special bonus issues like the Hartford Book of Lists.
- Exclusive ticket prize draws for our in-person events.
Click here to purchase a paywall bypass link for this article
Age: 31
Title: Programming Director
Company: Hartford Performs
Location: Hartford
Hometown: Hartford
College: Eastern Connecticut State University
Bio
Jaclynn Hart began working with Hartford Performs in 2010 as the organization's first full-time employee. As programming director, she supports the organization's mission to ensure that all students in Hartford Public Schools have equitable access to quality arts education by overseeing student programming and designing and producing trainings around arts educational strategies for both Hartford public school teachers and arts providers. Originally starting with a pilot group of six schools in 2010, Hart has helped rapidly expand Hartford Performs' programming every year and now oversees more than 700 programs annually, which serve approximately 13,000 students in 28 of Hartford's pre-kindergarten through eighth grade public schools.
Prior to joining Hartford Performs, Hart worked for Access Agency, where she supervised youth development programs for children in the Connecticut Department of Children and Families' system of care.
Her love for working with children and advocating for arts education began during her undergrad years at Eastern Connecticut State University where she studied theatre and had her first gig working with children as an assistant director in a production of “Anne of Green Gables” at Hartford Children's Theater. She then went on to teach introduction-to-acting and improvisation classes.
Q&A
If you gave the next commencement speech at your alma mater, what would the message be? Do not plan on using your major in a way you originally intended (if at all) and embrace the unknown!
How will you change the world? I plan to change the world by advocating for the arts to be an integral component of childhood learning. I hope to be a part of the educational movement where the arts are no longer a luxury for some students but become an assumed/prioritized subject in every child's education.
If you could climb Mount Everest, win a Nobel prize, or have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which would you pick and why? My major in college was fine arts with a focus in theatre. I then went on to study acting at Circle in the Square in New York City. I haven't spent much time acting lately so I would have to go with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, mostly to prove I still have some acting chops.
Life's Journey:
During my off time, I am most passionate about ...Crafting, traveling, and embracing the arts scene in Hartford.
What is the most exciting destination you've ever traveled to? Japan
Where is the one place you want to travel in your lifetime? South Africa
Favorite Connecticut destination: Mystic
Read the profiles of the other 40 Under Forty for 2015 Winners
Jennyfer Holmes, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
Elizabeth Johnson, Post University
Jonathan Kaplan, Pullman & Comley
Alex Koenigsberg, Creative Living Community of CT
Melissa Lambright, SIGHT Eye Health
Lori-Ann Marchese, Body Construct
Michelle McDade, The Hospital of Central Connecticut
Kristina Miner, Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection & Insurance
Karraine Moody, Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity
Quentin Phipps, Charter Schools for Excellence
Kathryn Redican, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Jacquelyn Santiago, COMPASS Youth Collaborative
Kathryn Shafer, Partnership for Strong Communities
Anthony Shannon, Shipman & Goodwin
Steven C. Taylor, Webster Bank
Joseph Turbessi, Finished: What's Next?
Rebecca Wareing, Management Search
Robert Zanlungo, Primary Residential Mortgage
Mark S. Zatyrka, American Homecare Federation
Julianne Avallone, Ford & Paulekas
Stephanie Higgins Bealing, Replacement Lens Express
David Bittner, St. Francis Hospital & Medical Center
Anthony Byers, Hartford Youth Scholars
Michael Byrne, UBS Global Asset Management
Megan Carannante, Pullman & Comley
Rebekah Castagno, The Village for Families & Children
Aidan Charles, Charles Coaching & Nutrition Services
Endia DeCordova, Manchester Community College
Jocelyn DeMaio, The Hartford Financial Services Group
Ryan T. Gardner, Fiduciary Investment Advisors
Jacquelynn Garofano, United Technologies Research Center
Tara Gerber, Travelers Championship
Daniel Gottfried, Hinckley Allen
Check out the Digital Edition of the 40 Under Forty for 2015
