CONTACT: Laura Roberts, Program and Marketing Manager, 203-256-2329
August 1, 2009 Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County Celebrates First Anniversary
The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County (CAFC), an organization located in downtown Fairfield, celebrates its first anniversary this month. CAFC was created to provide a cohesive voice for the arts and culture community and to support and mentor the rich variety of artists and cultural non-profits in Fairfield County. CAFC
CAFC President Janice Martin (right) and Executive Director Ryan Odinak, celebrate the 1st Anniversary of the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County.
has already made a significant impact in its first year with a number of its programs: The Artist Mentorship Project- a short-term mentoring service, matches artists with an artist mentor who helps expand creativity, or offers advice on the business of art. Terri Smith, Director of Visual Arts at Westport Arts Center, said of her experience as an artist mentor: "It is fun to troubleshoot with an artist who is curious and wants to stretch their practice. Regardless of where an artist is in his or her development, it is important to dialogue and brainstorm."
To assist non-profit organizations, CAFC has created the Peer Advisory Network, in partnership with the CT Commission on Culture and Tourism. The program works with leaders from around the state to keep members informed about issues affecting them and provides weekly communications on professional resources and opportunities. Fostering cooperative working relationships among the over 200 cultural nonprofits in the area is an important role for CAFC. With this in mind, in January, CAFC launched a regional Marketing Roundtable and it has been well received and appreciated by the non-profit community, with members stating the ability to pool resources being a key benefit:
Silvermine Guild Arts Center is excited about the prospects of collaborative marketing and promotion with other members of the Cultural Alliance. The opportunity to pool our talents and efforts will have many positive outcomes" said Pamela Davis, Executive Director of the Silvermine Guild Arts Center. Another shared benefit of the Marketing Roundtable is its focus on Fairfield County as a cultural destination to visit: "Partnering with other cultural organizations in the community is beneficial for all. We look forward to working together to market Fairfield County as a premier cultural destination." said Sarah McCall, Director of Marketing and Communications, Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk. The CAFC launched its membership drive in March and within its first three months has affiliated 31 organizations including: Westport Country Playhouse, Fairfield Theater Company/Klein Auditorium, and the Silvermine Guild Arts Center. Many more organizations have joined and the membership list is expected to grow exponentially over the coming year. Ryan Odinak, Executive Director:, "It has been exciting year for us, to be part of establishing the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County. This is a model that has proven beneficial in regions around the State and around the country. The time, perhaps not the best economically, was right in all other aspects."
CAFC President Janice Martin added, "Reaching this one year anniversary milestone is very gratifying. It's the culmination of several years of research and community planning. The CAFC was created in response to what the artists and organizations in Coastal Fairfield County told us they needed. This very successful first year creates a solid foundation on which this organization can build."
The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Funding is provided in part by the CT Commission on Culture and Tourism and the Fairfield County Community Foundation, as well as CAFC member artists, organizations and municipalities and foundation, business and individual donors. For more information, please contact Ryan Odinak, Executive Director at 203-256-2329 or email info@culturalallianceFC.org. To make a donation or become a member visit our Web site at www.culturalalliancefc.org Photo Caption: CAFC President Janice Martin (right) and Executive Director Ryan Odinak, celebrate the 1st Anniversary of the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County. Not pictured: Board Members Gillian Anderson, Valerie
Cooper, Mary Scott Himes, Gregg Dancho, Adrienne Farrar Hou‘l, Fritz Jellinghaus, Nancy Freiler, Kim A. Healey, Catherine Sidor, Lawrence Roy Thompson, R. Patrick Morrow, Robbin Zella
The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County (CAFC) held its first Marketing Roundtable for cultural organizations. The goal of CAFC's marketing roundtable is to assist its members with marketing by promoting cooperative professional relationships. The forum provides informative presentations and encourages cross promotion of events, sharing ideas, and collaboration on marketing strategies and initiatives. "Partnering with other cultural organizations in the community is beneficial for all. We look forward to working together to market Fairfield County as a premier cultural destination." said Sarah McCall, Director of Marketing and Communications, Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk. Pamela Davis, Executive Director of the Silvermine Guild Arts Center also in Norwalk said "Silvermine Guild Arts Center is excited about the prospects of collaborative marketing and promotion with other members of the Cultural Alliance. The opportunity to pool our talents and efforts will have many positive outcomes." The Fairfield Theater Company, in Fairfield, was the site of the first Marketing Roundtable. Twenty-four representatives from 16 cultural organizations listened to a presentation on the benefits of New Haven's Regional Marketing Roundtable and Marketing Network given by the Arts Council of Greater New Haven's, Executive Director, Cindy Clair. An enthusiastic exchange of ideas and a discussion on the benefits collaborative advertising and promotions in Fairfield County followed the presentation. Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum hosted the second CAFC Marketing Roundtable with speaker Donna Haynes, Manager of Promotional Partnerships at Metro-North. Ms. Haynes discussed with the group opportunities to offer "One-Day Getaways" promoted through with Metro-North. The third marketing roundtable will take place April 14 at The Quick Center at Fairfield University in Fairfield. The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County mission is to advocate for arts and cultural organizations and artists by promoting participation in arts and cultural activities, building organizational and professional expertise, integrating the cultural sector into regional economic development strategies,and encouraging equitable access to
cultural opportunities and education. For more information contact Ryan Odinak, Executive Director, by calling (203) 256-2329, emailing info@CulturalAllianceFC.org, or visiting the website at CulturalAllianceFC.org
Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County Receives Grant from Fairfield County Community Foundation March 18, 2009- The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County (CAFC) has received a $15,000 grant from the Fairfield County Community Foundation. The funding is for operational support that will sustain the current service programs and initiatives of the organization. These include launching and managing a new regional collaborative marketing Web site containing a cultural calendar, searchable cultural directories, artist profiles, and job and networking opportunities among other features. The grant will also support building constituent relationships among the two hundred plus nonprofit organizations and managing organization services. The support of The Fairfield County Community Foundation is an important building block in strengthening the organization which was launched last year to serve the fifteen towns of lower Fairfield County. CAFC Board President Janice Martin stated, "This funding will help us to move forward with building the Cultural Alliance, delivering services to cultural organizations and artists and acting as an advocate for these constituents. We are extremely grateful for this support at a very timely juncture." The Fairfield County Community Foundation promotes the growth of community and regional philanthropy to improve the quality of life throughout Fairfield County. Individuals, families, corporations and organizations can establish charitable funds and contribute to existing funds. The foundation also provides philanthropic advisory services, and develops and leads initiatives to tackle critical community issues. For more information, visit http://www.fccfoundation.org
The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County mission is to advocate for arts and cultural organizations and artists by promoting participation in arts and cultural activities, building organizational and professional expertise, integrating the cultural sector into regional economic development strategies, and encouraging equitable access to cultural opportunities and education.
For more information contact Ryan Odinak, Executive Director, by calling (203) 256-2329, emailing info@CulturalAllianceFC.org, or visiting the website at CulturalAllianceFC.org
Site Design by Black Cat