Mayor Bill Finch presented the Spring 2013 Mayor's Neighborhood Arts & Heritage Grants on Monday, July 29 at a ceremony held at the Bridgeport Arts + Cultural Council.
Funded by the City of Bridgeport Mayor's Office and administered by the Bridgeport Arts + Cultural Council, the grants enhance the quality of life in the City by providing financial support for arts and heritage projects and underserved individuals and organizations. Artists, artisans, craft makers, musicians, and organizations from Bridgeport are eligible.
Since Spring 2011, grants have been awarded to 29 individuals and 31 organizations.
"Bridgeport is known for its rich and varied artist community, providing a point of pride for the City and its residents," said Mayor Bill Finch. "These grant recipients will enrich the community by sharing their talents with residents and visitors alike."
The Spring 2013 grant recipients benefit Bridgeport with a broad array of projects:
Karl Franks- The Accompaniment Project: repair and set up string instruments for Bridgeport music students.
Robin Gilmore Jopp- Greetings from Bridgeport Project: document present and historical Bridgeport communities through collages of images.
Sofi Geismar Kane- Create silkscreen artworks based on Bridgeport icons, people, and buildings.
Liz Squillace- Offer screenprinting workshops in her CreateHereNow storefront.
Jack Tom- Create photographic essay of historic signs in Bridgeport.
Black Rock School: Provide educational arts enrichment to third and fourth grade students, visiting Yale Art Gallery and Weir Farm Historical Site.
Hall Neighborhood House: Provide affordable music, painting, arts and crafts, and dance programs to youth ages 3-18 and their families.
Klein Memorial Auditorium: Provide one-on-one instrument lessons and group music instruction to Bridgeport children through KEYS program.
McGivney Community Center: Present summer arts programs to grade school to high school students.
Cardinal Shehan Center: Offer summer arts day camp for 4-13 year-old children.
WPKN Radio: Host Handmade Arcade music and programming series to enliven Bridgeport's Arcade.
