State Senator Norm Needleman (D-33) celebrated the Jan. 7 announcement that the Board of Directors of CT Humanities awarded significant grant funding valued at $772,000 to 24 local non-profit museums, cultural organizations, humanities organizations, and arts organizations. The CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grants are part of $30 million in support allocated over the next two years by the Connecticut General Assembly and approved by Governor Ned Lamont.

These grants are intended to assist organizations recovering from the pandemic and aiding them to grow their ability to serve their communities and the public. It is also aimed to connect K-12 teachers and students to strong humanities and arts content and improve information technology and digital infrastructure. Grant funding ranged from $5,000 to $500,000 and any organization offering cultural, humanities and arts-based projects and activities for the public were eligible.

“Every one of our communities benefits from these wonderful organizations, which focus on expanding access to education and great arts programs in our towns,” said Needleman. “I can’t wait to see what these organizations do next with this vital grant funding.”

The following organizations in Needleman’s district received grant funding:

Chester

Chester Historical Society—$6,600

Clinton

Clinton Historical Society—$7,600

Kidz Konnection—$12,100

Deep River

Deep River Historical Society—$7,200

East Haddam

East Haddam Historical Society—$7,900

Goodspeed Musicals—$390,000

I-Park—$24,200

Shoreline Arts Alliance/Connecticut River Valley Symphonic Band—$5,100

Shoreline Arts Alliance/String of Pearls Big Band—$5,400

East Hampton

Chatham Historical Society—$5,500

Epoch Arts—$10,600

Essex

Cappella Cantorum—$7,100

Community Music School—$36,100

Connecticut River Museum—$50,700

Essex Historical Society—$10,800

Sailing Masters of 1812 Fife & Drum Corps—$5,300

The Arts Center at Killingworth—$11,400

Haddam

Haddam Historical Society—$12,800

Old Saybrook

Essex Winter Series—$11,900

Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center—$114,500

Old Saybrook Historical Society—$10,900

Theatre Artists Workshop—$5,900

Portland

Portland Historical Society—$7,200

Westbrook

Westbrook Historical Society—$5,200