Written by Sigrid Kun, Guilford Events Magazine

1 – Starship Dance Theater (SDT) – SDT supports dance theater for people of all ages through workshops, performances, and an annual scholarship. SDT helps dancers, actors and performers take the stage to display their talents as well as inspire the community. A recipient of a TGF operational grant, SDT performs two staged performances yearly with outreach to elementary schools, Guilford seniors, and collaborations with Shoreline Arts Alliance and the East Haven Library special needs program. “We embody the transformative power of dance as a force for positive change and social impact,” says Joyce DiLauro, founder of SDT. “Our mission encompasses community outreach, dance appreciation, and young artist empowerment to enrich lives and impact communities through dance.”

2 – Guilford Art Center (GAC) – A general operational grant from TGF helps GAC make the benefits of the arts available to all in the community. GAC’s school offers classes in a wide range of media and techniques. In addition, GAC’s shop promotes the work of more than 200 American artisans. Over the past two years, GAC has been creating free outreach opportunities to engage community members in ways other than through tuition-based classes such as the Teen Art Club, monthly workshops for clients of the Sarah organization, and bi-weekly free programming for seniors at Evergreen Woods. “The arts provide crucial creative, expressive, therapeutic, and social opportunities,” says Maureen Belden, GAC Executive Director.“ GAC offers many opportunities for learning, engagement, and enjoyment. ”

3 – Legacy Theatre – The Legacy Theatre is a professional theatre company that enhances the Connecticut Shoreline’s economy, educational opportunities, and quality of life through live theatre and related programs. Legacy Theatre produces uplifting, inspiring, and challenging professional theatre, and theatre training for all. A grant from TGF enabled Legacy Theater to enhance its four 2024 mainstage professional productions. Its diverse programming and educational classes offer something for everyone. “Storytelling is a universal commonality, a binding force of good among humanity. Accessibility to storytelling and storytellers is vital for any community,” underscores Development Director, Anne Runolfsson.

4 – Shoreline Arts Alliance (SAA) – SAA transforms lives through the arts by offering arts-related programs and events for all people, whether they be direct contributors or engaged audience members. “We believe the arts are for everyone, and our events are as welcoming and accessible as possible, regardless of age, skill level, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, or socioeconomic status,” says CEO Eric Dillner. SAA boasts a Leadership Development Initiative that is supported via TGF funding. This internship program is for local high school and college students interested in non-profit arts administration. The program develops skills used in creating programs, developing budgets, composing press releases, and creating marketing campaigns for art projects. This program allows students to learn about and understand everything that must happen for art to be presented to the community. It also helps students become successful artists and arms them with the necessary tools to work on promoting the arts.

5 – GreenStage Guilford Live Arts – TGF grant helped GreenStage fund the organization’s strategic plan priorities, board development, community engagement, and fundraising. “GreenStage is also developing between-festival events, mostly through collaboration with other arts, cultural, and social service organizations in the region. We expect to hold multiple public, in-school, and restricted-population events yearly,” notes Peter Hawes, Executive Director. “We will provide high quality, diverse entertainment and multicultural educational experiences, along with an uplifting, celebratory environment that energizes the entire community.”

6 – Neighborhood Music School (NMS) – NMS is a community arts school offering quality performing arts programs to all learners. TGF grant assistance allows NMS to expand access to arts education for Guilford residents through financial aid, tuition assistance, or tuition-free programs. Its experienced teaching artists offer instruction through 1:1 lessons, group classes and ensembles, an arts-infused preschool and middle school, as well as after-school and summer programs to 2100 students. NMS offers tuition support to over 550 students each year. “This program’s key objective is to facilitate affordable arts education for Guilford residents attending NMS and broaden the organization’s reach to those who need support,” explains Noah Bloom, Director of Music Education. “Some of these Guilford tuition support recipients will attend NMS’s Guilford Branch at the First Congregational Church.”