The following is a full listing of 2023 Programs and Initiatives:

Quarterly Executive Director Network Meetings

The following Executive Director meetings are scheduled for 2023:

MAR 15: Fundraising Strategies with Jackie Downing, Senior Director of Grantmaking at the Greater New Haven Community Foundation

JUN 14: Membership and Subscription Models – What is Working?

SEP 20: Cultural Organizations Fair

DEC 13: Collaboration/Marketing Success Stories

Quarterly Marketing Network Roundtables

The Following Marketing Network roundtables are scheduled for 2023:

FEB 22: CT Office of Tourism: Noelle Stevenson will share how members can work more closely with the CTVisit tourism website. LEARN MORE

MAY 24: Google Analytics 4 Intro with Google consultant Nalini Goolsarran

AUG 23: The New Post-COVID Demographic Landscape

NOV 15: Social Media Fair

Preservation Network Convenings

Historical Societies Network Meetings

NEW! Community Theatre Network Quarterly Meetings

Artist Network Meetings + WorkLabs with Metro Art Studios

Network-wide Large Convenings

JAN 18: CT Arts Hero Awards, Hartford (Celebrating Fairfield County Arts Hero Maricarmen Godoy of Norwalk) Free & open to the public

JUN 21: ACE AWARDS Breakfast

Partner Workshops

A variety of subjects in response to needs, or in collaboration with others are held throughout the year.

On-going Programs & Communities of Practice 

Executive Director Network

Composed of 120 + executive directors from CAFC member organizations. Quarterly professional development meetings are scheduled each year and focus on annually-themed topics. These meetings are valued for the networking where the leaders of our cultural institutions and smaller organizations can share their experiences and get to know one another.
Marketing Network Roundtables

The Marketing Network is composed of marketing professionals within CAFC. Quarterly professional development meetings and roundtables typically include outside expert speakers who share their expertise and advice. These meetings are also valued for the networking and camaraderie they provide. Executive directors are invited to participate in these meetings as well.
Fairfield County Preservation Network

A county-wide resource—a forum and support system to empower and connect organizations, professionals and individuals who are dedicated to preserving the historic character of our region. The Network is an informal group, made possible through the support of the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County (CAFC).
Historical Societies Network

Convening of 17 historical societies in our region to promote historical work and historical thinking in the public life of our community. Meetings focus on new approaches to history education and setting professional standards for the discipline in a community space for historians from all specializations and professions to discuss, disagree, and learn.

Community Theatre Network

Community Theatre is professional theatre rooted in a particular community and is understood to contribute to the social capital of a community, insofar as it develops the skills, community spirit, and artistic sensibilities of those who participate, whether as producers or audience members.
Artist Network Meetings + WorkLabs with Metro Art Studios

Calling All Artists, Writers, Musicians, Dancers, Actors, & all Creatives … Join an exciting collaboration with Metro Art Studios. It’s a creative community where you can learn, grow, and share your everyday questions, challenges, and successes… a new, free workshop series for creatives of all types!
Collective Action For Equity (CAFE)

The Collective Action for Equity is a Community of Practice that includes workshops, public conversations, and working sessions designed for CAFC member artists, organizations, their staff and board members, who have committed to undertake specific action(s) against racism and inequity.
Funding Booster

The Funding Booster program is designed to help all grant writers, from beginners to seasoned veterans, learn new skills, and burnish old ones, in order to be as successful as possible in all their grant writing ambitions.

Data Task Force

A group to to educate ourselves about data – useful for funders and the group; to find a shareable software data collection tool that is flexible/modular and can allow to gather and present data in as unified but flexible a way as possible.; to find professional assistance – a consultant to assist us in understanding, interpreting, and presenting the data we have.