The Art of Thriving: Examining Economic Impact and addressing regional needs

Join national arts leader, Randy Cohen of the Americans for the Arts, for a lively session about the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6.

NWCT Arts Council’s Executive Director, Steph Burr, will also discuss the findings of the Arts Council's 2023 Regional Needs Assessment study. Learn about the immediate needs of the artists, cultural non-profits, and economic development leaders in Northwest Connecticut.

The most alarming findings from the data were that 73% of applicants were not receiving unemployment and 31% of applicants were housing insecure. 



Overall Applicant Data

Here are stories from some of the individuals that donors have helped us provide support.

“I demonstrate and get paid by state and county fairs, and also sell my wares at shows. I have had 6 months of contracts cancelled. I am concerned the next 5 this year will probably be cancelled also. I cannot apply for unemployment as I work in several other states that I do not live in. So even though I have 1099s for last year, they do not fit each state’s guidelines as I live in CT.” - Potter

“The studio I was teaching out of was closed due to the virus and I have been out of work since 03/13/2020. I have been unable to teach or perform for three months now, rendering me with no income.” - Independent Dance Choreographer

“I’ve sold some work but only about 20% of what I did in the last quarter of 2019. I am approaching a point of financial distress.” - Fine Artist

“In February I had 44 voice students and contracts for two opera in Europe this fall. After March 20 my student load dropped to 20 (only those who wanted to learn virtually ) and the operas were cancelled. My income is approximately one third of what it was prior to the pandemic.” - Professional Opera Singer / Voice Teacher

“Because of the closing of my studio building, and my reluctance to go back during quarantine, I was not able to continue working. I basically pivoted from a 900 sq. ft. studio, equipped with all kinds of media, tools, visual resources, easels, etc. to my kitchen table.” - Fine Artist

“I make my living as a full time artist, selling my work at high end craft fairs across the country. My shows traditionally start in mid March. As of today, all my scheduled shows for 2020 have been cancelled through November, and I have had no venues for selling, at all. Unfortunately, my work sells best in person, and my website does not generate enough sales to live on.” -Artisan

“As a choral director, voice teacher and singer, I have been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. No choirs will be singing together for the foreseeable future, all voice lessons/workshops have cancelled and, although I have presented some online singing, it is on a volunteer basis, certainly not a way to create a job.” - Choral Director / Voice Teacher

“As a pit musician at the Warner Theatre I was booked to play all through the 2020 season. Sadly we were getting ready to open Dogfight right when Covid-19 hit. I was also already working on the score for The Producers at The Warner - another show that I worked on but won’t get paid for. I am having trouble paying rent right now.” - Musician

“I work for a small record label. We had planned a 30 date nationwide tour of the States over the course of 6 weeks. All of the dates have been indefinitely postponed because of covid.” - Graphic Designer

“My biggest concern at this time is keeping the apartment that I live in. The situation has become very tense because the lease is up for renewal August 1 and the landlord has the idea that he could get more if he rented to someone from New York. I will have to come up with a deposit on another apartment and it will be much harder to find an affordable place because of the pandemic and people who moved to the area from New York, the cost of housing is inflated.” - Fine Artist