Creativity Connects Danbury: Meet Mayor Mark Boughton, Supporter of the Arts, and All Things Danbury

Creativity Connects Danbury

What fuels a vibrant, connected, and creative community? What makes people feel good about living in Danbury?

When locals share the creativity that they uncover in the nooks and crannies of their community it brings about connectivity and makes us all feel good.

Believe it or not, you discover creativity every day as you walk, shop, work, and play in Danbury. 

Creativity Connects us. Meet Mark Boughton, City of Danbury Mayor, a supporter of the arts, small businesses, and all things creative.

Is there a person or organization using creativity to provoke change in Danbury?

There are dozens of organizations in Danbury who bring their creative talents to the city. What makes Danbury so special is the continued collaboration of so many community groups and individuals. I am proud to work with the Cultural Alliance of Western CT to recognize and honor businesses who support the arts each year at their annual Business Supports the Arts Breakfast. Our business partners have a strong presence in our community when it comes to arts and culture. 

Any place in town where you go for inspiration and creativity?

For inspiration and creativity, I go to the top of my favorite hiking spot at Richter Park. The view from that peak is well-worth the hike and can provide a sense of clarity that sparks new inspiration. Nearby is the Stanley Richter Association for the Arts, another creative hub in the city. Because of the pandemic, I want to remind our community that organizations such as the Richter House and the Danbury Music Centre will need community support now and when they are safely ready to reopen (so that I can return as Mother Ginger in the Danbury Music Centre’s annual Nutcracker Ballet!).

Finish this sentence: When I think of creativity in town I think of …

When I think of creativity in town I think of our city center. From living and working in the downtown area, I enjoy seeing the creativity that comes to downtown storefronts and the facades of our small businesses. When we launched the Façade Grant for downtown businesses last year, the goal was to encourage the momentum downtown to create an inviting environment for all who live, work and enjoy the city center. We also launched the Traffic Box Art program to bring the work of local artists alive in the heart of our city. I enjoy walking downtown each morning to see this creativity come to life. When I walk my dog downtown I reflect on the faces and spaces of our city. It’s a beautiful mosaic of people, sights and sounds.