Martha Marx

SENATOR MARX WELCOMES $331,010 IN DISTRICT ARTS ORGANIZATION GRANTS

This week, State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) welcomed the news that, in recent months, the 20th Senate District has received $331,010 in total grant funding through the Department of Economic and Community Development’s CT Arts Endowment Fund, Supporting Arts Grant and General Operating Support for Theaters and Performing Groups. Across East Lyme, New London, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Salem and Waterford, 21 different groups received funding ranging in value from thousands to nearly $100,000 across the three funding programs.

“Local arts help our communities thrive,” said Sen. Marx. “They’re the backbone of local entertainment, education and enrichment, not to mention the promise and opportunities they offer to youth across our state. For so many groups in our region to receive state funding supports local artists, local organizations and fosters the creative spark in our future generations. I’m grateful to the Department of Economic and Community Development for its support.”

The General Operating Support for Theaters and Performing Groups funds provide general operating support grants to Connecticut-based theaters and performing groups whose primary purpose is to present the performing arts to the general public. The CT Arts Endowment Fund (CAEF) was established by the Connecticut General Assembly to stimulate the development of private sector funding and to ensure the long-term stability of Connecticut’s arts industry by providing funding to organizations. The Fund is managed by the Office of the State Treasurer and the program is administered by the Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA). Supporting Arts grants provide aid to theaters and performing groups with a primary purpose of presenting performing arts to the general public.

Organizations receiving funds included: East Lyme: Eastern Connecticut Ballet- $4,864; New London: 7th Regiment Youth Performing Arts Organization- $12,573, Connecticut Early Music Society – $7,210, Connecticut Lyric Opera, Inc. – $14,008, Connecticut Storytelling Center – $6,040, Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra – $37,182, Flock Theatre – $10,927, Garde Arts Center – $14,855, Hygenic Art Inc. – $19,877, Lyman Allyn Art Museum – $24,554, New London Community Orchestra – $3,117, New London Cultural District Commission – $6,447, Thames Valley Music School – $4,796. Writer’s Block Ink – $4,141; Old Lyme: Florence Griswold Museum – $13,424, Lyme Art Association $6,136; Old Saybrook: Drama Works Theatre Company Inc. – $3,085, Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Inc. – $96,990; Salem: Foundation for Diversity in the Arts – $1,314; Waterford: Eugene O’Neill Theater Center – $21,255, Southeastern Connecticut Community Orchestra – $2,500