Gerratana Announces Arts Funding For New Britain

Press Pool Article

“Our local arts organizations are vital to the health and growth of our communities,” said Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain), announcing grants that will be awarded to local arts organizations.

Three New Britain organizations, the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, the New Britain Museum of American Art and the New Britain Youth Theater are to receive grant funding.

“The arts contribute to quality of life, and attract visitors to our town who contribute to the local economy,” said Senator Gerratana. “We established the Connecticut Arts Endowment Fund to encourage stability and the continued operation of our most important arts organizations by encouraging private donors. I am glad to see that it has been successful and this money is making its way to our community.”

Under the Endowment:

• The Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra in New Britain will receive a $559 grant.
• The New Britain Museum of American Art will receive a $5,708 grant.
• The New Britain Youth Theater will receive a $500 grant.

The grants are made available through the Connecticut Arts Endowment Fund (CAEF) at the state Department of Economic and Community Development’s (DECD) Office of the Arts. The CAEF was established to help stimulate the development of private sector funding for arts organizations and bring stability to them. Organizations are eligible for grants if they have raised more than $15,000 in private donations for two consecutive fiscal years. This allows arts organizations to raise money by telling investors that their contributions will result in state grants.

Funding does not come from the Connecticut General Fund. Grants are the product of interest earned on a stand-alone investment fund managed by the State Treasurer’s Office.