(Bridgeport, CT) - The Housatonic Museum of Art is proud to announce, “Art for All: Connecting Campus and Community,” a groundbreaking event that advocates for the vital role of art museums and galleries at community colleges. This first-ever national summit, scheduled for October 10th, brings together leaders from community college museums and galleries across the U.S. to emphasize the importance of these cultural institutions in student development, the creative sector, and community engagement.
Supported by the Terra Foundation for American Art, the Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of the Arts, Connecticut Humanities, the Association of Academic Museums & Galleries, and private donors, “Art for All” aims to raise awareness about the unique position community college art spaces hold in fostering access to art and education. The event will spotlight the critical need to preserve and expand these programs as essential resources for underrepresented students and local communities.
“Art for All” is free and open to the public, with the event taking place in-person at CT State Housatonic Beacon Hall Events Center and via live stream. The program, running from 3:30pm to 5pm on October 10th, will feature a panel of experts discussing the impact of art collections, exhibitions, and student engagement in community colleges. Panelists will advocate for the protection and expansion of these institutions, ensuring they continue to serve as beacons of opportunity for students and community members alike.
“Our college and art museum are thrilled to be part of this gathering in Bridgeport, Connecticut where the collective insights and experiences of community college art leaders will come together in hopes of shaping the future of our institutions. I’m looking forward to forging new pathways for collaboration and advocacy. 'Art for All' really amplifies the vital role that community college art museums and galleries play in enriching the educational experience and fostering a deeper connection between our campuses and the communities we serve,” according to JoAnne Northrup, Executive Director and Chief Curator, Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Johnson County Community College, Overland Park, Kansas.
April Oswald, Museum Education Director of Munson in Utica, New York shared, “I am grateful for the opportunity to share experiences and learn from other colleagues who are in the unique position of offering opportunities to students for experiential learning with college museum and gallery American art collections.”
The public event culminates a two-day “Community College Art Museum Leadership Convening,” where over a dozen community college art museum leaders from across the country will discuss shared concerns, collaborative strategies, and advocacy efforts. Though these sessions are closed to the public, the key findings will be integrated into the “Art for All” panel discussion, with the goal of inspiring greater advocacy for community college art spaces nationwide.
“We hope ‘Art for All’ will spark a national conversation and inspire ongoing collaborations to protect and promote these vital institutions,” added Dr. Reynolds-Kaye. “Community college art museums and galleries provide accessible art experiences to those who may not otherwise encounter them, enriching lives and communities in profound ways.”
For more information and to reserve a free in-person or virtual ticket, please click here.
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About Housatonic Museum of Art
Located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the Housatonic Museum of Art is committed to enriching the cultural life of its community through dynamic exhibitions, educational programs, and community outreach. As an educational resource, the museum serves Housatonic Community College and beyond, promoting the transformative power of art. For more information, visit https://housatonicmuseum.org/.
About the Terra Foundation for American Art
The Terra Foundation for American Art, established in 1978 and having offices in Chicago and Paris, supports organizations and individuals locally and globally with the aim of fostering intercultural dialogues and encouraging transformative practices that expand narratives of American art, through the foundation’s grant program, collection, and initiatives. For more information, please visit terraamericanart.org.
About Connecticut Humanities
Connecticut Humanities (CTH) is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. CTH connects people to the humanities through grants, partnerships, and collaborative programs. CTH projects, administration, and program development are supported by state and federal matching funds, community foundations, and gifts from private sources. Learn more by visiting cthumanities.org.
About the Connecticut Office of the Arts
Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) is the arts-focused office of CT’s Department of Economic and Community Development. Our goal is to inspire, empower, educate, and transform. We believe the arts are a human right, and we envision a world where the arts, in all forms, are embedded in everyday life. For more information click here.
