Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut begins 2021 programming

The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut enters 2021 embracing change and enjoying the support of statewide organizations.

For the second year the Cultural Alliance will sponsor the “Walk in Their Shoes” program for entrepreneurs and other members of the business and art communities who are ready to commit to increasing racial justice.

“Walk in Their Shoes” helps individuals and organizations develop meaningful and sustainable practices in support of black lives and others often left behind. The Cultural Alliance will facilitate 10 sessions of focused conversations. “Walk in Their Shoes” is a go-at-your-own-pace framework that allows the time needed to unpack complicated topics. The Cultural Alliance provides a library of curated materials and backroom support services to help participants get grounded in this work. Small group interaction is key, so class size is limited.

“We piloted this program last year and the results have been great,” said Executive Director Lisa Scails. “Members of the first cohort are deeply engaged in this work, diving in to integrate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, or DEI, within their organizational culture and programs. We will continue to work with them this year as well.”

The Cultural Alliance will offer an orientation and several guided conversations on topics such as Structural Racism; Empowerment & Social Justice; DEI Polity and Best Practice: Setting the stage; and more. Participants will identify three meaningful practices as an outcome.

The Walk in Their Shoes program begins March 4. Visit https://cawct.org/walk-in-their-shoes/ for registration information. There is a fee for the workshop to help the Cultural Alliance support the program. Members of the Cultural Alliance qualify for a 20% discount.

The program will take place even as the Cultural Alliance begins all-virtual operations during the Covid-19 pandemic in order to aim resources toward the most useful areas. The organization is planning to continue with several other programs as well during the coming year.

“We are repurposing, reimaging and innovating,” Scails said. “The Cultural Alliance is moving forward with greater focus to address today’s challenges of our constituents. Social justice is only one of our focus areas. Small business development, specifically with technology and marketing support, are among critical needs for creative entrepreneurs and business as well.”

The Cultural Alliance began 2021 with support from several statewide organizations.

The Connecticut office of the Arts contributed $34,000 to continue the Cultural Alliance’s operations, while the office of Connecticut Humanities donated $5,000. The Connecticut Arts Endowment Fund contributed another $500.

“Without the confidence of our state and local partners, the Cultural Alliance would not be able to conduct the business of supporting our communities,” Scails said. “We thank them every day for the work they do.”