Norwalk
Connecticut
Cultural Alliance Of Fairfield County Organization Newsletter - October 2025
Arts and Entertainment
October 8, 2025
From: Cultural Alliance Of Fairfield CountyA Season for Reflection, Connection, and Action
As October unfolds, we join the nation in celebrating National Arts & Humanities Month — a time to reaffirm why arts, culture, and the humanities matter and elevate public understanding of creative expression.
This year, we’re marking the occasion by hosting two listening sessions where you will have an opportunity for your voice to be counted. We want to hear all about your challenges, needs, insights, and ideas.
As you know, our sector is facing a shift in policy and societal tensions right now. Let this month reenergize us to deepen our impact in our community as vital ground for empathy, understanding, and civic cohesion. Thank you for helping us shape programming and advocacy that reflects the vision of our entire network.
The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County
CAFC NEWS
Executive Director Search
The Board of Directors has begun the search for the next Executive Director of the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County. We are excited to continue CAFC’s role in the arts and culture network for coastal Fairfield County under new leadership. Details about the Executive Director position can be found by clicking the link below.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to CAFC. We look forward to sharing more updates soon as we reinstate programs and services that have long supported our vibrant arts and culture community.
Your Voice Matters
This Fall, you are invited to join us for one of two Listening Sessions. For your convenience, one session will be held on Zoom and one will be in person. Details on dates, times, and location to follow. Stay current by following us on Instagram If you’re unable to join us for a listening session, your participation in a written survey is important to everyone in the CAFC network. We want every voice to be included as we shape our future.
Help us to identify challenges and needs, explore ideas, and foster opportunities that strengthen our cultural ecosystem. We believe that by listening closely and adapting with intention, we can ensure that our efforts meet the moment and help sustain the arts and culture community.
We invite you to click this link and take the survey.
NEW MEMBERS
We’re excited to welcome The Stairwell Space, an artist-led alternative art space in Bridgeport’s historic American Fabrics Arts Building. The Stairwell advances the visual arts by providing an alternative gallery space to foster and facilitate artists and elevate their work, provoke dialogue, and contribute to the greater conversation of the Arts. They are building new pathways for artists, curators, and audiences to engage—positioning Bridgeport as a hub for forward-thinking creative practice.
LOCAL & REGIONAL NEWS
Government Shutdown Update
A Note from CT Office of the Arts
Unless otherwise notified, NEA grantees may continue with their projects. States and regions can continue with their activities - including sub-granting and other programs - without interruption. Please contact COA with any questions, needs, or concerns.
The Power of Sharing our Arts Stories
In September, Americans for the Arts led the nation in celebrating National Arts in Education Week, spotlighting the transformative role of arts learning in shaping students, schools, and communities. Every story shared is proof of what’s possible when students have access to transformative arts education. Now we need to ensure every child gets that chance.
Here are the tools to sustain your advocacy:
- Arts Education Policy Webinar: Get up to speed on the latest arts education legislation and how to advocate locally
- Policy Briefs: Essential background on the HBCU Arts Act, NEA funding, and more
- NEA Research: New insights on HBCU arts programs and their impact
23rd Annual NEFA Idea Swap
November 6, 9am - 5pm
The Idea Swap is an annual event for New England-based nonprofit cultural organizations to network and share ideas for performing arts, literary arts, and film projects that are available for presentation in New England communities. The Idea Swap is an opportunity to develop collaborations and partnerships.
New England Museum Association Conference
November 5-7
This year’s conference will take a 360-degree view on wellness, taking stock of internal and external features, including how we care for ourselves as workers and the organization’s overall health, as well as how museums educate and integrate into larger communities’ livelihood.
CT Office of the Arts announces The Every Child Art Experience
Accepting applications until October 31
Since this program's inception they have been able to support thousands of students across the state in accessing the arts. This year there are some improvements to the application process in an effort to make the application and grant process easier to navigate. This program prioritizes schools within Opportunity and Alliance Districts in an effort to close the gap in access to the arts.
“Give 250 Connecticut”
Application Extended
Deadline: October 5th
This statewide campaign offers arts and cultural organizations an opportunity to raise funds and increase visibility for their programs, particularly those focused on commemorative initiatives. Participating in Give 250 Connecticut can amplify your organization's impact by connecting with a broader community of donors and supporters. It's a chance to showcase your mission, engage with the public, and secure vital resources for your work.
Celebrate Westport Public Art Collections' 60th Anniversary!
Westport Public Art Collections (WestPAC) demonstrates how arts and education intersect to strengthen communities. With over 2,000 works of art displayed throughout schools and town buildings, WestPAC brings creativity directly into students’ daily lives, fostering conversation, inspiring innovation, and deepening understanding of artistic heritage and cultural traditions. For arts organizations, WestPAC is a powerful example of how embedding art in educational settings can enrich both institutions and the broader public.
The Power of Place: Placemaking Strategies for Downtowns & Main Streets
October 8, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
This summit highlights how placemaking can strengthen community identity, spark reinvestment, and transform public spaces into vibrant destinations. Keynote speaker Fred Kent, founder of the global placemaking movement, will share actionable strategies alongside local leaders and case studies, offering attendees practical tools and inspiration to shape Connecticut’s downtowns.
Social Prescribing in CT
Art Pharmacy
The Connecticut Office of the Arts is excited welcomed Adrienne Hundley, Head of Community Partnerships at Art Pharmacy, for a virtual conversation on September 26 on how arts-based social prescribing can play a vital role in supporting health and well-being in Connecticut. Art Pharmacy-a nationally recognized program that connects individuals to arts and cultural engagements as a tool for healing, social connection, and overall wellness.
LEARN MORE
Reach Out to Your Legislators!
As you plan your Fall programs and events, invite your legislators to join you and see first hand the work that you do in your community. Highlight any upcoming projects related to America 250 | CT that you are planning and share any ways that you are helping the social, educational, and economic success of your town.
Connecticut Literary Festival
A free, day-long celebration of writing and storytelling held at Real Art Ways in Hartford on Saturday, October 18, this festival features interactive galleries, author readings, panels, and a book fair, with programming running from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. across many spaces of the facility.
Equity in Action: Funders Prioritize Latinx Arts and Culture
Hispanic Heritage Month programming helps organizations demonstrate community need and audience impact in grant proposals (both state and private funders increasingly cite equity goals). Connecticut funders and statewide grantmakers like CT Humanities have recently awarded projects that center Latinx storytelling, cultural heritage, and arts access.
MEMBER NEWS
INTEMPO Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
INTEMPO is excited to announce their third annual concert series in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Featuring performances by teaching artists and advanced students, the concerts will highlight the vibrant musical traditions of the Andes on October 4 in Stamford and October 11 in Greenwich. Hispanic Heritage Month increases audience engagement and partnership opportunities for Latinx artists and organizations through visibility and investment into cultural life. Connecticut is home to more than half a million people of Hispanic origin, or nearly 1 in every 5 residents, and their contributions to this state and nation as a whole, deserve to be celebrated. Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, Here’s where to celebrate in CT.
The Housatonic Museum of Art Highlights the Power of Art
Through My Story, Our Lives: Celebrating Student Art from Bridgeport & Ukraine, the museum is partnering with the Creative Connections’ Global Voices–ArtLink program to highlight the power of art as a bridge across cultures. ArtLink connects students around the world to share their stories through art, creating opportunities for empathy, dialogue, and cultural understanding. By showcasing this work, the Housatonic Museum of Art is not only elevating young voices but also modeling how arts institutions can spark meaningful conversations, foster global citizenship, and strengthen our community’s role in a wider cultural exchange.
Bennett Center for Judaic Studies Leverages Institutional Change
Fairfield University has named Yaron Ayalon, PhD as the new Director of its Bennett Center for Judaic Studies and Professor of Religious Studies. At a moment when academic and cultural institutions must navigate complex social and political currents, this transition signals a renewed potential for deeper engagement, more inclusive programming, and dialogue across tradition and scholarship. For arts, humanities, and cultural organizations in our network, this kind of leadership shift offers a model: how to couple scholarly rigor with thematic relevance in programming; how to expand partnerships across departments, religious and secular organizations, and the arts; and how to leverage institutional change as an opportunity to deepen community outreach, foster public discourse, and invigorate creative and intellectual life.
Organizations In Collaboration
This Fall, the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, in collaboration with The Artists Collective of Westport, will present Striking Gold: Artists on Wealth and Worth, juried by Cybele Maylone of the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum. Amid social and political change, collaborations like this highlight the power of the arts to spark dialogue and bring communities together. By joining forces across organizations, this exhibit not only amplifies creative voices but also builds stronger impact, engagement, and support for the arts sector as a whole. Opening to the public on Oct. 22 and running through January 4.
A.C.T. of CT Spotlights Regional Theaters As Incubators with National Impact
Congratulations to Erin Craig, Producing Director at A.C.T. of CT, whose work on Austen’s Pride—which premiered at A.C.T. of CT in 2019—is now heading to Broadway. Erin’s leadership as producer has been central to the show’s journey, and this milestone highlights the caliber of artistry being developed right here in our region. For our arts community, it’s a reminder that bold vision and sustained commitment can open doors far beyond the local stage. A.C.T. of CT’s success underscores how regional theaters can serve as incubators for new work with national impact, strengthening both our cultural identity and our visibility on a larger scale.
Creative Connections at the Intersection of Education, Global Culture, and the Arts
Creative Connections is inviting volunteers to support its work at the intersection of education, global culture, and the arts. From assisting with exhibits and workshops to helping behind the scenes, volunteers play a vital role in bringing their programs to life. For arts organizations across our community, this is a strong example of how engaging volunteers can expand capacity, deepen impact, and build meaningful relationships with audiences. By opening doors for participation, Creative Connections demonstrates how volunteer involvement can strengthen both programming and community ties.
OPPORTUNITIES
FUNDING
WGPF Legends & Lore Marker Grant Program
DEADLINE: OCT 13
DEADLINE: OCT 14
Historic New England Edward F. Gerber Urban Preservation Fund
DEADLINE: OCT 15
CONNCF Building Equitable Opportunity
DEADLINE: OCT 15
CONNCF Strengthening Nonprofits
DEADLINE: OCT 15
CSA Small Museum Collection Care Grant
DEADLINE: OCT 15
DeVos Institute's Global Executive Arts Management Fellowship
DEADLINE: NOV 6
DEADLINE: NOV 11
Asian Cultural Council's 2026 Global Grant Cycle
DEADLINE: NOV 19
DEADLINE: DEC 1
DEADLINE: DEC 1
DEADLINE: DEC 1
National Dance Project Presentation Grant
DEADLINE: ROLLING
National Theater Project Presentation Grant
DEADLINE: ROLLING
New England Presenter Travel Fund
DEADLINE: ROLLING
JOBS
Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County | Norwalk
Bruce Museum | Greenwich
Bruce Museum | Greenwich
Orchestra Lumos | Stamford
The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum | Ridgefield
The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum | Ridgefield
The Maritime Aquarium | South Norwalk
Assets for Artists | Remote New England
Mattatuck Museum | Waterbury
Vessel and School Partnership Educator
The Maritime Aquarium | South Norwalk
Connecticut College | New London
Earthplace | Westport
Education and Community Programs Manager
Yale University | New Haven
Senior Associate, Scholarships and Grants
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving | Hybrid CT
Senior Coordinator of State Budget and Economic Analysis
The Connecticut Project | Hybrid CT
Norwalk Community College Foundation | Norwalk
The Connecticut Mirror | Hartford
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
USArtists International's Stories and Strategies for International Dance Touring
October 7
Arts Foundation Creative Exchange Conference!
October 8
Essential Board Governance Documents
October 15
The Art & Science of Grant Seeking - Fall 2025
October 21
Safeguarding Your Nonprofit’s Data: Cybersecurity
October 21
Beyond Event Promotion: Storytelling for Year-Round Visibility
October 27
October 28
Mitigating Risk and Navigating Legal Challenges Related to DEI
October 30
Pitching 101: Arts and Culture Writing
November 6
2025 Annual Nonprofit Conference
November 13