Hartford Foundation Commits $6 Million Investment in Greater Hartford Arts and Culture
From groundbreaking creatives and visionary arts leaders to passionate patrons and renowned institutions, Greater Hartford stands as a vibrant hub for arts and culture. For a century, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has been honored to support this community — investing in and working alongside artists, cultural leaders, and organizations to ensure arts and culture experiences reach every resident of our region.
Arts and culture offerings that reflect all residents are fundamental to a thriving Greater Hartford. Local artists through theaters, galleries, festivals, and creative spaces, and organizations are building a community where everyone’s stories are represented, and everyone feels at home.
As part of its Centennial, the Hartford Foundation is proud to announce a $6 million investment in arts and culture over the next two years — a comprehensive initiative designed to launch the next century of creativity. This investment builds on the wisdom shared by the Foundation’s Artists of Color Unite! Advisory Group.
“For a century, the Hartford Foundation has been committed to building and strengthening our region’s arts and culture ecosystem, said Foundation President and CEO Jay Williams. “As a funder of arts and cultural organizations large and small, we seek to ensure that inclusion flows through every aspect of the arts and culture sector, from the people who create -- to the programs that inspire -- to the organizations that lead.”
The Centennial Arts and Culture Investment includes:
$4 million in one-time “Appreciation Grants” to 48 arts and culture organizations across 13 towns in the region.
$1 million over two years to continue and deepen investment in the Artists of Color Accelerate program that supports a dual-benefit residency model to create and expand opportunities for local creatives by connecting them as fellows with host arts organizations.
$460,000 over two years to launch Greater Hartford Creatives Alliance, a professional development and grant program for independent creatives through a new partnership with Assets for Artists (A4A).
$400,000 over one year to launch new partnership with CT Humanities to offer a grant and capacity building program for smaller cultural nonprofits and historical societies throughout Greater Hartford.
Arts and Culture Appreciation Grants
All arts and culture organizations that have received Hartford Foundation-directed grants since 2022 were eligible for the Arts and Culture Appreciation grants. The Foundation aimed to provide close to 10 percent of the nonprofit organization’s operating budget (with the exception of the largest arts and culture organizations).