Connecticut: Artists Respond Grant Program

Connecticut Artists Respond grantee Rashmi Talpade is providing an online photo-collage workshop. Photo by Rashmi Talpade, May 2020

Using a combination of state and federal funds, the Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) developed the Connecticut Artists Respond Grants program to harness the creative energies of artists and teaching artists to develop new pathways to online arts participation for Connecticut residents during COVID-19. The program was designed to support artists and to provide education, inspiration, connection and respite through creative activities delivered via digital platforms. Grants for individual artists were $1,000, with $2,000 available for collaborations between two or more artists. Applications were accepted in April and May, and COA ultimately awarded 73 grants totaling $88,000 to artists in 52 communities. Eligible activities included:

developing arts education distance learning videos for K-12 student populations,
offering online master classes to teach artistic skills to adults,
creating new works for online performance or virtual exhibition,
presenting online business development and technical assistance workshops for artists or educators, and
leading arts based civic engagement activities.

A recent article in the Hartford Courant profiled several artist-led projects funded through the grant program, including a kid-friendly puppet show designed to educate families and dispel misconceptions about COVID-19; a partnership with a hospital to create a virtual chorus to sing patients’ musical requests; and a documentary film on the experience of sheltering in place. For more information on the Connecticut Artists Respond Grants program, contact COA Program Specialist Tamara Dimitri.