The state Department of Economic and Community Development’s Office of the Arts has scheduled five public forums through which it aims to educate arts stakeholders about “changes that will better integrate the state’s arts programs and economic development efforts,” according to a press release issued on Monday.
The press release indicates that “the new direction, effective July 1, 2012, combines an arts-based placemaking strategy with the state’s current arts programs. The goal is to bolster the impact of arts organizations and to focus outcomes on organizations and collaborations that create jobs and revitalize communities.”
DECD Commisioner Catherine Smith was quoted in the press release as saying: “These changes are an important step in maximizing the economic impact of the arts in our communities and on our economy as a whole. We will continue to focus on promoting the economic benefits of the state’s arts attractions while funding projects that have higher job growth potential. … Through the forums, we will be directly engaging the arts community in helping shape and define the new direction we are taking.”
Beginning in July, existing arts-related grant programs, which today are funded at $1.6 milion, will be merged. In 2013, a reallocation of existing DECD grant funds will make available to that single arts-related grant program $3.1 million.
The Arts Council of Greater New Haven will host a public forum on the DECD’s “new direction” on Jan. 24. from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Long Wharf Theatre.
Information about additional public forums is available on the DECD’s press release.