Advocacy & Research
The arts are more than just expression—they're a vital part of our identity and community. We advocate to ensure artists have the space and support to push boundaries, innovate, and share their vision.
By standing up for the arts, we protect the freedom to create, to dream, and to shape a vibrant future.
Our Strategic Goals
400+
Artists living and working in Northwest Connecticut
175+
Arts and Culture
Organizations
$179,781
Funds raised by the Arts Council to directly support artists and organizations since 2020.
Research & Data
2024 Regional Needs Assessment
The Regional Needs Assessment for the Arts & Culture Sector in Northwest Connecticut is a research project conducted by the NWCT Arts Council. Research comprised three major phases to collect both quantitative and qualitative data.
- Quantitative data research phase: January - April 2023
- Focus Groups: April 2023
- Regional Listening Tour: April - December 2023
GOAL: to collect comprehensive data about the short and long term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the arts & culture sector in order to propose solutions and inform advocacy, regional strategy, and decision making.
2023 Torrington Microgrants - Project Report
$15,000 ARPA funds allocated to 13 community arts projects.
In 2023, the NWCT Arts Council administered $15,000 from the City of Torrington American Rescue Plan funding for micro-grants ranging from $400 - $2,500 to artists and cultural organizations in the city of Torrington.
2022 Arts & Economic
Prosperity 6 Study
The Northwest Connecticut Arts Council announced that region’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $30,275,630 in economic activity in 2022, according to the newly released Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6), an economic and social impact study conducted in partnership with Americans for the Arts.
Beginning in May of 2022, the NWCT Arts Council staff, volunteers, and partner nonprofits worked for over a year to collect 800+ audience surveys at arts events across Litchfield County. Additionally, 70 nonprofit arts organizations took the time to complete the AEP6 survey and report the data used to compile these findings.
2020 NWCT Artist Relief Fund: Final Report
$6,750 raised to support 28 artists in financial distress.
The NWCT Artist Emergency Relief Fund was made possible by the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, the COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund, the Neighbor to Neighbor Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, the Torrington Savings Foundation, and fundraising assistance from the Torrington Collective.
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