DANBURY — The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut (CAWC) has announced that $35,000 from the state’s new Regional Initiative Grant program has been awarded to eight recipients throughout CAWC’s ten-town region, which includes Newtown.

The Department of Economic and Community Development, Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) developed the Regional Initiative Grant program (REGI) in partnership with its nine Designated Regional Service Organizations. These regional partners make up an effective statewide service network of which CAWC is a member. The pilot REGI grant program was designed for grant seekers interested in the creation of small cultural projects that expand equitable access to the creative process and/or creative experiences, especially projects that experiment with new ways to apply the arts within its community.

The 2016 REGI grant awardees in the CAWC region include Thomas Carruthers of Bethel; Joanne Hudson of Ridgefield; John S. Boccuzzi of Newtown; WCSU Foundation/Bethel Arts, Bethel; Stacey Olszewski/CityCenter Danbury; Connecticut Choral Society, based in Danbury; Mactalla Mor, also based in Danbury; and Meagan Cann of Danbury.

Lisa Scails, executive director of CAWC, said the organization is “especially pleased to partner with the Connecticut Office of the Arts on this project and to provide this service in our region.

“As a result, more arts funding is directed locally, leveraging and underpinning our region’s extensive arts resources to strengthen our communities both economically and culturally, while positively affecting our region’s overall quality of life,” she continued. “Through the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development’s Regional initiatives Grants program, the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut is better able to support its constituents and communities here at home.”

Kristina Newman-Scott, COA’s director of culture, noted: “It’s essential that we work with our outstanding regional partners to experiment with and learn new ways to more equitably deliver funding throughout the many municipalities and myriad villages that frame our state’s landscape.

“While these REGI projects represent a relatively small investment, drawn from a combination of our state funds and National Endowment for the Arts federal grant,” she continued, “they can have a very positive impact on the state’s wealth of small, grassroots cultural organizations and impressive artists and creative workers. We think these neighborhood projects will add immensely to the rich, cultural life of our communities.”

The Connecticut Office of the Arts develops and strengthens the arts in Connecticut and makes artistic experiences widely available to residents and visitors.  Through its grant programs, COA invests in state artists and arts organizations, encourages the public’s participation as creators, learners, supporters, and audience members, and connects people to the arts to build vital communities across the state.

The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut is the Connecticut State Office of The Arts Designated Regional Cultural Service Organization for Western Connecticut. Its offices are at 287 Main Street in Danbury.

CAWC promotes and advocates for arts, history, and culture as a primary driver of the economy and as an enriching influence for communities and people. The regional service organization working to ensure better access to arts and culture for all residents and visitors in greater Danbury, CAWC is a 501(c)(3). It is supported by public and private funding, corporate sponsors, and by its 185 members including more than 55 arts, history, and cultural organizations.

Call 203-798 0760 or visit artswesternct.org for additional information.