The Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) is a state office within the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) and is recognized as a State Arts Agency (SAA) through our partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The formation of the NEA catalyzed the creation of state arts agencies throughout the nation. As such, COA is part of a greater network of national arts service organizations that work, within their states and territories, to enhance, support and empower the Arts for every resident.
State Arts Agencies use their position to work strategically within the arts community, within and alongside state and local government, and through partnerships with businesses, foundations, artists, municipalities, schools, non-arts nonprofits and more. These partnerships nurture abiding relationships that ensure Connecticut’s creative sector thrives in all its brilliant diversity and with its strong, abiding power. As a State Arts Agency, we guide and are also guided by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA), which in addition to the NEA, further strengthens and supports the SAA network. NASAA serves as a strong connector and brings people and the work of state arts agencies together.
COA is embedded in Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development. This position is fortuitous as support and promotion of the arts is a basic tenet of the agency’s strategy to ensure that our communities thrive. At this time when our nation is facing a divisive political climate, tapping into the resources of this network is critical to our success.
CT Office of the Arts Goals & Strategy
- CENTER People at the Heart of the Arts
- NURTURE Creative Communities
- SHARE our Stories
- BUILD Wrap-Around Services for Artists and Arts Organizations that support a solid Cultural Infrastructure