Area groups, artists win state grants

HARTFORD — The state Office of the Arts recently awarded $1,004,459 to 192 Connecticut arts organizations, according to a news release.

Middlesex County grantees

Artists for World Peace, Middletown, $6,305

Arts Center at Killingworth, $6,305

Chestnut Hill Concerts, Guilford, $2,705

Con Brio Choral Society, Old Lyme, $2,705

Eastern Connecticut Ballet, East Lyme, $11,255

Essex Winter Series, Essex, $6,305

Friends of Madison Youth, $6,305

FUSE Theatre of CT, Madison, $1,000

Greater Middletown Chorale, Middletown, $6,305 Guilford Art Center, $11,255

I-Park Foundation, East Haddam, $6,305

Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Old Saybrook,

$10,200

Lyme Art Association, $6,305 Madison Lyric Stage, $4,760 Noank-Mystic Community Band, Old Lyme, $1,000

Opera Theater of Connecticut, Clinton, $2,040

Project: “Music Heals Us,” Guilford, $6,305

Wesleyan Potters, Middletown, $6,305

A full list of supporting arts grant recipients can be viewed at bit.ly/3zzvcuL.

Artists Respond

Also, two local artists were issued grants from the Artists Respond program, which provides direct funding to Connecticut artists so they can pursue community-based projects that address social issues, current events and community needs.

The total amount given out across the state was $207,500, according to the press release.

Sarah Grote of Cromwell and Katharine Owens of Middletown each received $5,000.

Connecticut artists may apply for grant of either $1,000, $2,500 or $5,000 to support artist fees associated with project activities.

Projects must occur in Connecticut and address a range of social issues, such as equity and racial justice, community development, the empowerment of LGBTQ communities, the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health, and other initiatives that use the arts to inspire, empower, educate and transform the community, the state said.

Owens.