Hamden Arts Groups Receive Grants

State Senator Joe Crisco (D-Woodbridge) today welcomed the news that two Hamden arts organizations have received state grants to foster and promote the arts in Connecticut, according to a press release from his office.

The rest of the press release states: 

Young Audiences Arts for Learning has received a $47,120 state grant to conduct several summer school and after-school programs in New Britain that link school curriculum to the arts through photography, videography, writing, poetry, visual arts and dance. Headquartered on Whitney Avenue in Hamden, Young Audiences serves 350,000 people across Connecticut with their programs.

“The Arts Leadership grant program is extremely helpful in assisting us to work with other partners around the state and make true arts integration happen in Connecticut,” said Eileen Carpinella, executive director of Young Audiences Arts for Learning.

P.L.A.C.E. (Partnerships in Learning And Creative Exploration), located on Dixwell Avenue in Hamden, received a $36,158 state grant to staff a new mobile arts bus and take it to at least eight Hamden elementary schools and four other regional programs.

“We’re thrilled. This is our first grant from the state,” said P.L.A.C.E. executive Director Debbie Chavoya. “We’re very excited that we will be able to reach some children who might not otherwise be able to use our programs.”

“Congratulations to both Young Audiences and P.L.A.C.E. for being selected to receive these grants,” Sen. Crisco said. “It is a testament to our state and to these organizations that we remain committed to supporting the arts in our communities and with people of all ages even as we balance other budgetary demands. These are essential investments.” 

The grants were just two of 42 “Arts Catalyze Placemaking – Arts Leadership” program grants totaling nearly $1 million made though the Connecticut Arts Council and the state Department of Economic & Community Development’s Office of the Arts.

The program, which is funded in part by the state, is designed to support state artists and cultural and art organizations so that they can achieve their goals and continue to add to Connecticut’s economic vitality and quality of life.