The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut is one of 80 organizations that will receive a $10,000 grant from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, to replace federal money that has been withdrawn.
The money will supplant a $10,000 Challenge America grant from the National Endowment for the Arts announced in January this year. The Cultural Alliance applied for that money from the NEA to support the agency’s marketing and accessibility needs ─ primarily for the local Creative Youth Development program.
Joel Wachs, President of the Andy Warhol Foundation, said small arts organizations make important contributions to society’s cultural lifeblood by giving artists in every corner of the country a platform from which to be seen and heard. “We want them to know that we see the extremely difficult circumstances under which they are operating, and we value and appreciate their work,” Wachs said. “We are committed to providing some semblance of stability and continuity during this time of unprecedented upheaval.”
Elizabeth Smith, Executive Director of the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, said agencies like hers work with other organizations to assert shared values. “We at the Frankenthaler Foundation are pleased to partner with the Warhol Foundation to support the health of visual arts organizations by stepping forward to assist with these vital and timely funds,” Smith said. “While our missions focus support on the visual arts, our shared hope is that this effort may inspire peer funders to support Challenge America grantees working outside of the visual arts, who remain in urgent need of assistance.”
The Creative Youth Development Program, which the Cultural Alliance has overseen for two years, offers an array of arts-based services, encompassing drawing, painting, music, poetry, theater, and more. By encouraging participants to express their stories, thoughts, and aspirations through various creative mediums, the program cultivates stronger social connections and equips young individuals with the skills to make a positive impact on their communities.
“This generous funding is a gift and turned a difficult situation around so we can keep going,” Scails said. “We are back on track to continue our mission and elevate the cultural vibrancy of our community.”
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) informed Scails this month of changes to its grantmaking policy priorities, which will fund projects in line with the federal administration's focus areas. In response, Scails accepted NEA’s invitation to appeal the decision and present a case demonstrating how the Cultural Alliance program aligns with the updated priorities.
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The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut is a leading arts service organization in Western Connecticut. We connect with artists, creative entrepreneurs, arts, and cultural organizations in the region, and provide support to them. We engage with the public, businesses, and government leaders to advance the arts and to integrate creativity in communities. We are an independent 501C-3 nonprofit organization and designated regional arts organization for DECD CT Office of the Arts and Western Connecticut Council of Governments. Major support provided by the CT Office of the Arts. For more information visit www.cawct.org