Center People at the Heart of the Arts

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Center People at the Heart of the Arts

COA will use a person-centered lens when evaluating programs and support for artists and arts organizations. This means the Office of the Arts serves all people in the State and envisions a world where the arts touch every person. We must be intentional in our efforts, collecting constructive feedback, advancing opportunities for conversation, understanding that there are multiple roles for people within the greater creative ecosystem and that often, our constituents hold more than one role at any time. People may only be centered when all voices are equally able to be present in the discussion.

To accomplish these goals, COA will consider the following strategies and actions:

  • Recognize that artists and creatives provide the foundation of the creative infrastructure and we will view artist support as support of the artist as a whole person.
  • Dive deeply into data to analyze current funding to identify who is included and who is left out. Involve community experts in the development of new programs and services.
  • Review the current COA approach to arts education support and make changes as identified through meaningful collaboration with teaching artists, art educators and representative associations, schools, arts education organizations and art administrators. Include the State Education Department in the development of these programs.
  • Research, partner, implement, fund, support and sustain initiatives that are driven by the needs of artists, including but not limited to professional development opportunities, responsive funding, support for artist collaborations and artists showcases.
  • Collaborate with the Connecticut Arts Council, Connecticut Arts Foundation and others who can leverage state investment in the arts, particularly for artists.

CT Office of the Arts Goals & Strategy
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