Greater Hartford Arts Council News

Cathy Malloy Named Greater Hartford Arts Council's New CEO

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:18:01 GMT

Hartford, CT (October 10, 2011)— The Greater Hartford Arts Council has named Cathy Malloy as its new Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Kate Bolduc. The announcement was made today by the Arts Council’s Board Chair Jay Benet and President Shirley Payne.

Bolduc announced her intention to step down in July, and that she would stay on until a successor was named. Malloy will begin her new role effective October 17, 2011.

“We are thrilled to have identified a professional with a wealth of experience in successful nonprofit leadership as well as a demonstrated passion for the arts,” Benet said. “Cathy will continue Kate’s exemplary work to enhance the Greater Hartford Arts Council’s visibility and stature, while building on its foundation for the benefit of our region’s art community.”

Until June, Malloy was Executive Director of The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education in Stamford. It was a position she held for more than 10 years, growing its financial base, increasing awareness, building education programs and expanding services for victims, survivors and their loved ones. From 1996 to 1999, she was Vice President of Development and Campaign Director for United Way of Stamford/Greenwich.

Malloy also has served on a number of nonprofit boards, including several in the arts: Stamford Center for the Arts, Connecticut Grand Opera and Orchestra, and Stamford Museum and Nature Center. She chaired the Stamford Cultural Development Corporation Arts and Education Program and was a member of Friends of Stamford Downtown Special Services District. With her husband, Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy, she has hosted events that bring her love of the arts together with her human-services work. Her diverse background also includes significant marketing experience, as well as small-business ownership.

“We can’t imagine a better fit for the Arts Council than Cathy,” Payne said. “Our most important priority is to build financial support for the artists and arts organizations that do so much to drive our region’s economy and make Greater Hartford an attractive, creative community. Cathy’s track record in development, community relations and marketing will serve the Arts Council well.”

“The Greater Hartford Arts Council plays such a critical role in leading and promoting the arts throughout the Greater Hartford area,” Malloy said. “I could not be more excited to serve as the head of this important organization and to build on its mission to bolster the artistic community and to enhance the public’s appreciation for the arts.”

As the Greater Hartford Arts Council’s 9^th chief executive since its founding in 1971, Malloy will be assuming leadership of the largest independent arts council in New England, and one of the 10 largest United Arts fundraising campaigns in the country. In addition to making more than $1.5 million in direct cash grants annually to more than 150 arts and heritage organizations throughout the region, the Arts Council connects the public with the arts and supports the area’s cultural community with umbrella marketing, decision-maker education, strategic planning, technical assistance, public art, and management of the city’s primary visitor center, the Greater Hartford Welcome Center.

Benet and Payne said that Bolduc will assist Malloy with the transition for a brief time. “We are very grateful that Kate continued her active leadership of the Arts Council while we searched for a successor,” Benet said. “Having the benefit of time, and knowing that the organization continued to be well run, allowed us to be thoughtful in our search.”

Payne added that a search committee of seven Arts Council board members conducted a thorough canvassing of the community to identify several strong contenders for the position. The committee reached out to dozens of nonprofit, business and civic leaders for their input. “Cathy quickly rose to the top of the pack and was our unanimous choice,” she said.

GRAND OPENING OF ECO-FRIENDLY POPE PARK WEST

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:32:00 GMT

WHAT: Mayor Pedro E. Segarra and Greater Hartford Arts Council CEO Kate Bolduc will host a grand opening ceremony for a rejuvenated Pope Park West, the first ecologically designed park project in Hartford.

ABOUT POPE PARK WEST

The City of Hartford’s Department of Public Works contracted local agency Lifecare Design, Inc. to plan and design the Pope Park West project, turning an unclaimed and overgrown space into a public garden and open-air amphitheatre. The park will provide a safe recreational space and walking path for area residents. A central feature of the project is a new site-specific public art installation surrounding the amphitheatre entitled “Windy Metal Garden”—six leaf-form metal sculptures created by Lifecare Design architects Hermann Cortés-Barrios and Natalie Sweeney. The Greater Hartford Arts Council is delighted to support the design, fabrication, transportation and installation of the public art project using all local vendors.

The design for Pope Park West uses recycled materials and existing vegetation to create the new landscape. New vegetation was selected within species native to the area and with the idea of creating a habitat for animals that populate the park.

WHEN: Thursday, September 15, 11am-12pm

WHERE: Pope Park West, Pope Park Highway #4, between Park & Hamilton Streets

EVENT: Speaking program featuring Mayor Segarra, Kate Bolduc and Edgardo Block of the Parkville Neighborhood Revitalization Zone.

For images and park renderings, visit LetsGoArts.org/PublicArt

NEIGHBORHOOD STUDIOS EXHIBITIONS SHOWCASE STUDENT ARTWORK

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 18:26:43 GMT

Hartford, CT (July 20, 2011)—The Greater Hartford Arts Council invites the community to honor the work of local students enrolled in the 2011Neighborhood Studios program with six public exhibitions held at cultural institutions throughout the city. Public showcases present the students’ final work, created over a six-week period of intensive, hands-on training with Master Teaching Artists.

SHOWCASE SCHEDULE:

Sa Ilalim Ng Dagat -Under the Sea at Charter Oak Cultural Center
July 28 & August 4 at 6:00 pm
Program: Spectrum in Motion’s Instruments of Culture Dance Ensemble
Evolution at the Amistad Center at the Wadsworth Atheneum
August 4 at 5:00 pm
Program: SNAP! Photography Studio
The Tempest at Hartford Stage
August 8 at 6:00 pm & 8:30 pm
Program: Breakdancing Shakespeare
Up from Slavery at Artists Collective
August 9-11 at 6:30 pm
Programs: Youth Jazz Orchestra and Performing Dance Ensemble
Eye on Video at Real Art Ways
August 9 at 5:30 pm
Program: Digital Film Production

Exhibitions offer the opportunity to see the exemplary work of local, up-and-coming artists working closely with teaching professionals and staff at one of Hartford’s cultural institutions.

67 teen apprentices from the Arts Council’s 34-town service area were selected for the 2011 Neighborhood Studios program, a six-week arts education apprenticeship. The Arts Council partners with the Amistad Center for Art & Culture, Artists Collective, Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford Stage and Real Art Ways each year to offer six studio programs in different artistic disciplines. Neighborhood Studios apprentices receive hands-on arts instruction from master teaching artists, career skills training workshops through a partnership with Hartford Public Library and are paid a weekly stipend for their work.

Travelers is the lead sponsor of this year’s program, with support from contributing sponsor Northeast Utilities Foundation and studio sponsors Bank of America, the Howard A. Fromson Foundation and Lincoln Financial Foundation.

For program information, studio descriptions and ticket information and pricing, visit www.LetsGoArts.org/NeighborhoodStudios

ABOUT NEIGHBORHOOD STUDIOS

Now in its 13th year, Neighborhood Studios is a nationally recognized arts education apprenticeship program that provides students with an immersive, hands-on learning experience in the arts while paying a weekly stipend. Studio programs offer advanced training in dance, theatre, visual arts and music. Students engage in all-day arts workshops with master teaching artists for the six-week apprenticeship period and meet regularly at the Hartford Public Library for career skills instruction in performing online job searches, practicing in-person interviews and managing personal finances.

FREE JAZZ CONCERTS RETURN TO BUSHNELL PARK

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 21:31:00 GMT

Monday Night Jazz Begins July 11

Hartford, CT (July 11, 2011)—Monday Night Jazz, the nation’s longest-running free jazz concert series returns to downtown Hartford’s Bushnell Park for its 44^th consecutive season. Produced by the Hartford Jazz Society and presented by Prudential Financial, the Monday Night Jazz season begins on July 11 and includes five weeks of free admission, open-air performances by national and internationally renowned jazz artists.

The Monday Night Jazz concert series is sponsored by Prudential Financial with additional support from the Evelyn W. Preston Memorial Fund, the Henkel Corp, and the Greater Hartford Arts Council. Burnt Sugar, the headline band in the fifth concert is co-sponsored by Real Art Ways.

Concerts will be presented on successive Monday nights with an opening band at 6:00 pm, and the headliner performing at 7:30 pm. Attendees are invited to Black-Eyed Sally’s BBQ & Blues restaurant (350 Asylum Street) after the show for a post-park jam session with jazz artists. Once again, all concerts will be broadcast in their entirety on WWUH.org / 91.3 FM.

Performance Line-up:

July 11: Haneef Nelson Quintet & Giacomo Gates

July 18: Sinan Bakir Quartet & Larry Willis Quartet

July 25: The Umoja Ensemble & A Tribute to the Great Abbey Lincoln: presented by pianist James Weidman, vibraphonist Jay Hoggard, vocalist Leena Conquest, bassist Brad Jones and drummer Bruce Cox.

August 1: Damian Curtis Quartet, & New Directions Ensemble, Earl MacDonald, August 8: Don DePalma and Linda Ransom, & Burnt Sugar Orchestra

“We are proud both to be continuing a Hartford jazz tradition begun 44 years ago, and to be following in the footsteps of Paul Brown, who founded the series and produced it for its first 40 years,” says Dan Feingold, President of the Hartford Jazz Society. “We are excited about this year’s lineup.”

“We are happy once again to help make Monday Night Jazz possible,” says Kate Bolduc, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Hartford Arts Council. “It’s one of the city’s most popular summer events and we are proud of the tradition of providing free, accessible access to live music right here in the heart of Hartford.”

The rain venue for Monday Night Jazz is the Asylum Hill Congregational Church at 814 Asylum Avenue, Hartford.

About the Hartford Jazz Society:

Founded in 1960, The Hartford Jazz Society is the oldest continually operating jazz society in the country. Its mission is ”keeping jazz alive”. This all-volunteer organization produces jazz concerts by internationally known and up-and-coming jazz musicians, encourages and assists in the education of young jazz performers, and works to educate and expand the audience for jazz. www.HartfordJazzSociety.com

About Prudential Financial:

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial services leader with approximately $859 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2011, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential’s diverse and talented employees are committed to helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth through a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, investment management, and real estate services. In the U.S., Prudential’s iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. For more information, please visit www.news.prudential.com

About The Greater Hartford Arts Council:

The Greater Hartford Arts Council provides leadership for the financial success and organizational stability of the arts, cultural and heritage community of Connecticut’s Capital Region. It is the largest independent arts council in New England, runs one of the ten largest United Arts fund in the country and is a national leader in grant programs and cultural promotions. In its 40 year history, the Arts Council has raised and invested more than $61 million for the arts, helping to rank Greater Hartford in the top six percent of metropolitan areas in North America for its arts and cultural community. Find out more information about the Greater Hartford Arts Council at www.LetsGoArts.org

KATE BOLDUC STEPS DOWN AS CEO OF GREATER HARTFORD ARTS COUNCIL

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 21:29:00 GMT

Hartford, CT (July 6, 2011)—The Executive Committee of the Greater Hartford Arts Council announced today that Chief Executive Officer Kate Bolduc will be leaving the organization in the next year. No timeframe has been set for the transition, and Bolduc will remain in her position for several months, until a successor is named.

“This is entirely a personal decision for me,” Bolduc said. “The Arts Council is in great shape and poised for truly exciting growth. I have accomplished what I set out to do, and have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure here. Now I’m looking forward to taking a step back from a very public role for a while.”

“Kate has done an amazing job in the two years she has led the Greater Hartford Arts Council,” said Board President Shirley Payne of Northeast Utilities. “We will be truly sorry to see her go, and are grateful that she has given us an open-ended commitment to identify a successor.”

Under Bolduc’s leadership, Payne said, the Greater Hartford Arts Council has significantly improved its financial position, reduced expenses, sold its Hartford Courant Arts Center building, moved its offices, created a five-year strategic plan and met its United Arts Campaign goal for 2011.

Payne added, “With the very strong and experienced team in place at the Arts Council, as well as a highly committed Board of Directors, the organization is in a solid position to continue the strides we have made in the last few years.”

Payne said that a Board committee is being formed to define the criteria for the next chief executive officer and to begin the search. That committee will be formed in the next two weeks. The search will begin this summer, with a goal of having a new leader in place within the next 12 months.

NEW EXHIBIT IN 100 PEARL GALLERY: "MEANDERINGS & REFLECTIONS"

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 21:28:00 GMT

WHAT: Meanderings & Reflections, a new exhibit by Hartford artist Barbara Hocker, opens at the 100 Pearl Street gallery managed by the Greater Hartford Arts Council. Hocker’s work combines digital photography and printmaking to blur the line between reality and abstraction, creating work that communicates the atmosphere and mood of our local natural places.

Admission to the gallery is free, and the artwork on display is available for purchase. Visit LetsGoArts.org/Gallery for more information about the exhibit and the artist.

WHEN: Opening reception: Thursday, July 14 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Exhibition dates: June 29 through September 7, 2011.

WHERE: 100 Pearl Street Gallery, 1^st Floor of 100 Pearl Street, Hartford, CT

EVENT: A free public opening reception with the artist will be held on Thursday, July 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the gallery space. Wine and light hors d’oeuvres will be served.

SPECIAL TWO-WEEK TASTE OF HARTFORD® RETURNS THIS SUMMER

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 21:24:00 GMT

Hartford's Popular Dining Event Runs August 1 to 14

Hartford, CT (June 24, 2011)—Foodies and discount diners delight: the Greater Hartford Arts Council, in partnership with First Niagara and The Hartford Advocate present Taste of Hartford®, the city’s premier dining event—extended for two weeks of fine dining from August 1 to August 14. Participating restaurants across Hartford offer special multi-course, price-fixed tasting menus featuring signature summer dishes for only $23 per person*.

Taste of Hartford® is sponsored by First Niagara, with promotional support provided by The Hartford Courant, Fox61 and CTNow.com.

“We are pleased to sponsor this year’s Taste of Hartford® to promote the wide array of quality restaurants in downtown Hartford,” First Niagara New England Regional President David Ring says. “With branch offices at 225 Trumbull Street and in the Parkville area of the city, as well as in the surrounding Greater Hartford Area, we want to support the local merchants that help make Hartford a great city within which to work, live and visit.”

From light summer fare to cozy comfort food, Hartford’s eateries prepare full three-course tasting menus highlighting the diverse range of culinary experiences the city has to offer. This summer’s participating restaurants include: Agave Grill, Bin 228, Black-Eyed Sally’s, Carbone’s Ristorante, City Steam Brewery Café, Costa del Sol, Coyote Flaco, DISH Bar & Grill, Feng Asian Bistro, Firebox, Francesco’s Ristorante & Lounge, The Half Door, La Fonda, Hot Tomato’s, J Restaurant | Bar, Max Downtown, The Nutshell Café, O’Porto, Peppercorn’s Grill, Salute, Tisane Euro-Asian Café, Trumbull Kitchen, USS Chowder Pot IV, Vaughan’s Public House, Wood-N-Tap and Zula Restaurant & Bar. Menus will be available for download online at www.TasteHartford.com beginning Monday, July 25.

“The Taste of Hartford® is a wonderful opportunity to welcome diners from across the region to sample the amazing dishes at Hartford’s one-of-a-kind restaurants,” says Kate Bolduc, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Hartford Arts Council. “And, it’s the perfect complement to a number of wonderful community events and activities happening around the city this summer.”

"Hartford has an amazingly accomplished and eclectic collection of restaurants, from traditional steakhouses, to New American, to ethnic, and places with all sorts of inventive menus that make dining out in Hartford an adventure as well as a treat,” adds Joshua Mamis, Group Publisher of The Hartford Advocate. “The great thing about Taste of Hartford is it gives everyone a chance to sample the cuisine at places you have always wanted to try, and to revisit old favorites at a great price. And when it is all over Taste of Hartford establishes that Hartford is, in fact, a dining destination to rival any in the region."

Together, the Greater Hartford Arts Council and The Hartford Advocate have presented the Taste of Hartford® restaurant weeks since 2006. The promotions are a huge hit with diners across Greater Hartford and provide an important boost to the city’s restaurants and nearby businesses, including Hartford’s arts and heritage institutions. The Arts Council encourages diners to support local arts and cultural organizations by pairing their visit to a Taste of Hartford® participating restaurant with tickets to a play or concert, visiting a museum or heritage site or catching one of the city’s many cultural events.

*Reservations are strongly recommended and dining prices are available only for special Taste dinner menus. Price does not include tax, beverages and gratuity and cannot be combined with any other special offers, including the Greater Hartford Arts Council’s Let*s GO Arts! discount program.

About First Niagara:

As of April 25^th, First Niagara Financial Group, Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary, First Niagara Bank, N.A., has $30 billion in assets, 346 branches and $18 billion in deposits. First Niagara Bank, N.A. is a multi-state community-oriented bank providing financial services to individuals, families and businesses across Upstate New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.fnfg.com.

Questions?
Contact Tim Yergeau, Assistant Director of Marketing at Tyergeau@LetsGoArts.org or 860-525-8629 ext. 249