At a Glance: Northwest Connecticut Arts Council


Organization:


Northwest Connecticut Arts Council

 

Northwest Connecticut Arts Council

 


Director and title:


Amy Wynn, executive director (part-time)

 

Amy Wynn, executive director (part-time)

 


Web Site:


ArtsNWct.org

 

ArtsNWct.org

 


Founded:


2003

 

2003

 


Mission:


To serve both the general public and the cultural community in the Arts Council’s 23-town service area and surroundings by acting as a central source for all aspects of cultural information and resources and to actively promote such to ensure that culture thrives in and around our region.

 

To serve both the general public and the cultural community in the Arts Council’s 23-town service area and surroundings by acting as a central source for all aspects of cultural information and resources and to actively promote such to ensure that culture thrives in and around our region.

 


 

Biggest annual fundraiser:


Contributing membership drive is our regular fundraising component at the moment. Although still under wraps, 2007 will include a region-wide event that will be a collaboration with three other regional organizations.

 

Contributing membership drive is our regular fundraising component at the moment. Although still under wraps, 2007 will include a region-wide event that will be a collaboration with three other regional organizations.

 


How long does it take to plan?


The membership drive is ongoing. The new upcoming event will have activities throughout an 11-month period, building up to the final event.

 

The membership drive is ongoing. The new upcoming event will have activities throughout an 11-month period, building up to the final event.

 


Cost to set it up?


NA

 

NA

 


Number of people involved?


NA

 

NA

 


How much does it raise?


The Contributing Memberships raise about a third of our operating costs. Special events vary.

 

The Contributing Memberships raise about a third of our operating costs. Special events vary.

 


How much total money is raised each year and how?


Our annual operating budget, not including special project expenses, is roughly $35,000. The funds are raised through government grants, private foundations, corporate sponsorships and contributing memberships from the cultural community and the general public.

 

Our annual operating budget, not including special project expenses, is roughly $35,000. The funds are raised through government grants, private foundations, corporate sponsorships and contributing memberships from the cultural community and the general public.

 


Any funds or other support from local towns?


We have contributing members from all 23 towns that we serve, in addition to several surrounding towns to the west and south of us in Connecticut as well as Millerton.

 

We have contributing members from all 23 towns that we serve, in addition to several surrounding towns to the west and south of us in Connecticut as well as Millerton.

 


How is the money spent?


Free services including an online calendar of events; the 12-Day Culture Outlook of events sent out each week by e-mail; a clearinghouse calendar to help organizations coordinate their events with those of other organizations; Culture Beat newsletter, which lists announcements, opportunities for jobs, grants, auditions, calls for artists, arts advocacy information and more; Cultural Directory, a searchable online database that lists artists and cultural organizations; online opportunities listings; online instructional listings; mailings of the above to those who don’t receive e-mail; workshops and seminars; CultureMix network gatherings.

 

Additional moneys are raised for special projects such as the development of our Web site; the Take Part Culture Card discount program; the 2006 presentation of the Light Opera Company of Salisbury’s production of The Mikado; the 2007 Directory of Connecticut Authors and Literary Venues/Events; workshops on the Business of Art; development of a printed version of the calendar of events.

Free services including an online calendar of events; the 12-Day Culture Outlook of events sent out each week by e-mail; a clearinghouse calendar to help organizations coordinate their events with those of other organizations; Culture Beat newsletter, which lists announcements, opportunities for jobs, grants, auditions, calls for artists, arts advocacy information and more; Cultural Directory, a searchable online database that lists artists and cultural organizations; online opportunities listings; online instructional listings; mailings of the above to those who don’t receive e-mail; workshops and seminars; CultureMix network gatherings.

 

Additional moneys are raised for special projects such as the development of our Web site; the Take Part Culture Card discount program; the 2006 presentation of the Light Opera Company of Salisbury’s production of The Mikado; the 2007 Directory of Connecticut Authors and Literary Venues/Events; workshops on the Business of Art; development of a printed version of the calendar of events.


What can volunteers from the community do to help?


Use the Arts Council as a resource (for example, sign up for the e-mailings; list events on the Web site; use the Clearinghouse for planning benefits, etc.) and spread the word, so that more people avail themselves of the information and services.

 

Serve on special committees for events or projects.

Serve as spokespersons for the Arts Council’s efforts in arts advocacy.

Help distribute materials throughout the region.

 

Use the Arts Council as a resource (for example, sign up for the e-mailings; list events on the Web site; use the Clearinghouse for planning benefits, etc.) and spread the word, so that more people avail themselves of the information and services.

 

Serve on special committees for events or projects.

Serve as spokespersons for the Arts Council’s efforts in arts advocacy.

Help distribute materials throughout the region.

 

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