The Ridgefield Economic & Community Development Commission invites residents and others to nominate individuals for the fourth annual Cultural District Award.
The presentation of the annual award will go to an honoree who has made an extraordinary contribution to the economic development of the town by furthering some aspect of Ridgefield’s cultural district.
The nominee could be anyone in town, including representatives of either a for-profit or non-profit organization. An extraordinary contribution can consist of successfully launching a new enterprise, creating a program that attracts visitors to town, having distinguishingly served an organization, or having created funds for the district in general or an organization in particular through philanthropy or other forms.
Only individuals and not organizations qualify for the award.
Nominations must be submitted by December 17, 2023, at midnight, and be sent to ridgefieldecdc@gmail.com.
Nominations should include the name of the nominee plus a one-paragraph description of his or her qualifications for the role – including all relevant dates, organizations, etc. Wording can be in the body of the email or as an attachment.
Nominations should also include the nominator’s name, email address, and phone number. No anonymous nominations will be accepted.
Questions may also be directed to ridgefieldecdc@gmail.com
The award will be presented at the Ridgefield Arts Council’s Behind the Scenes ceremony in May 2024, date and location to be determined.
Awarded by the state of Connecticut, the Cultural District designation recognizes that Ridgefield has an artistic and economic center of cultural activities that makes our community extraordinary. The many nonprofit and for-profit cultural facilities, activities, and assets in the expansive downtown area make Ridgefield a phenomenal resource for residents and visitors.
Ridgefield was the first town or city to earn such a designation and it was awarded by Gov. Ned Lamont, in a ceremony at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in May 2021.
Past winners include former state Rep. John Frey and Ellen Burns (2021), longtime Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum curator Richard Klein (2022), and Ridgefield Playhouse executive director Allison Stockel.