CT Office of the Arts (COA)

09/09/2026

The CT Office of the Arts partners with the Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston for our Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts program which offers legal support for artists and arts organizations.

The Arts & Business Council offers additional programs that may be of interest including the Creative Entrepreneur Fellowship. Check out the upcoming information session and learn more.

September 10 — 5:00pm – 6:00pm (online)
Creative Entrepreneur Fellowship: Information Session 1

Applications for the 2027 Creative Entrepreneur Fellowship will be accepted September 7-October 13. Now is your chance to learn more about this career-transforming program! If you are a creative entrepreneur or artist working to build a creative professional practice, sign up for our first of two information sessions to learn more about our CEF program, eligibility, and the application process. There will also be time to answer any questions you may have. This information session will take place virtually through Zoom.

Learn more and sign up at:

The Creative Entrepreneur Fellowship (CEF) is designed to accelerate the careers and practice of a diverse group of artists and creative solopreneurs. CEF is a customized professional development experience for 8-10 individuals who are selected through a competitive application process. The program....

09/09/2026

Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts

Free Non Profit Seminar - September 10, 2026 for Connecticut Creatives!

Our Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts covers both CT and MA. They are running this non-profit seminar that has some Massachusetts specific details but the bulk of the presentation relates to general non-profit info. Registration is free for CT artists/creatives and $25 for all others.

Thursday, September 10th
4:00 – 6:00pm

Read over the workshop description below:

Are you a leader of an existing nonprofit organization or interested in creating a new one? Do you have questions and concerns about incorporating and/or filing for tax-exempt status? All nonprofit start-ups are invited to attend this legal seminar for nonprofits, led by experienced attorneys specializing in nonprofit law.

In this online classroom (using the Zoom platform), we will assist your organization in understanding the complicated processes of formalizing a nonprofit in Massachusetts by addressing questions regarding:

- For-Profit or Not-for-Profit?
- What is a Not-for-Profit?
- Incorporating & Structuring the Not-for-Profit
- Option of Fiscal Sponsorship
- State Reporting & Regulation
- Federal Tax Exemption
- Ongoing IRS Reporting & Regulation

Register at: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/abcaacworkshopsandevents/event/nonprofitseminarseptember102026/

Additional Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (VLA) educational workshops will be announced in the coming weeks.

09/08/2026

Deadline: September 15

The Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grants program provides one-time grants of up to $5,000 for recent unexpected medical, dental, and mental health emergencies for US-based artists in financial need. Artists who are creating work in the visual arts, digital/electronic arts, video/film, and choreography are eligible.


https://apply.nyfa.org/submit/b7c235b8-007e-4846-87a3-da2cc30a0443/rauschenberg-medical-emergency-grants-cycle-38

RAUSCHENBERG MEDICAL EMERGENCY GRANTS This program provides one-time grants of up to $5,000 for recent unexpected medical, dental, and mental health emergencies to artists in financial need, creating in the visual arts, film/video/electronic/digital arts, and choreography. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREME.....

08/18/2026

Our next virtual workshop is coming up at the end of September! In "An Introduction to Cooperatives in the Arts," participants will learn about the fundamentals that define cooperatives and how they differ from other types of collectives, explore case studies of cooperatives in the arts and culture sector, and brainstorm how a cooperative could meet their needs and the needs of their communities. Participants are welcome to join as individuals or alongside their collaborators, and will receive resources for further study into various cooperative models.

Request your spot in this workshop: www.assetsforartists.org/workshops

Daniel Park () is a worker-owner with Obvious Agency () and theatre and performance artist, facilitator, and organizer for racial and labor justice in the cultural sector. His work brings people together to understand and experiment with their individual and mutual roles in bringing about the liberation of all people from all systems of oppression.

08/18/2026

Public Art Learning Fund grant opportunity!

The Public Art Learning Fund provides grants of $500 to $3,000 to support professional development opportunities for New England artists to strengthen their public art practices.

📂Apply by October 13.

08/18/2026

Sharing this recognition opportunity from
https://www.neighborhoodct.org/

Do you know someone in your town who makes things better, again and again, and always pulls others into the work?

Maybe it's the children's librarian who built a network of volunteer tutors. The food pantry director who's spent a decade recruiting and training the team that keeps the pantry running. Or the fire captain who runs the chili cook-off fundraiser every year, bringing in new community partners and volunteers each time.

Nominations are officially open for the inaugural Neighborhood Catalyst Awards!

Each Catalyst will receive a $15,000 award in recognition of their civic achievement—theirs to use for their own work, or to direct to an eligible organization. Plus, they'll join a statewide community of fellow honorees who support each other along the way.

Nominees must live and serve in Connecticut, be 18 or older, and be nominated by someone other than themselves.

Nominating someone takes 15 minutes or less—and could mean $15,000 to advance their civic work and make an even bigger impact in your community.

Know someone who deserves this?

Nominate them today: www.neighborhoodct.org

Nominations close September 15, 2026.

08/10/2026

WBDC Orientation - for Artists and Creative-based Businesses - $10K Grant funding now AVAILABLE — applications are Open now through September 13th!

Are you an artist who loves to create but love less running the business side of your creative venture? The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) can help! Come learn about the resources WBDC offers to artists and creative businesses – most of which are offered at NO COST.

Join WBDC's Laura Blake and Taylor Bergeron to find out how to get started. We have something for individuals at all stages of their creative and business journey – entrepreneurial and financial education classes, business and growth advising, grant funding and community-building opportunities! Whether you're thinking about starting a creative business, looking to expand your artistic venture, or ready to scale your creative enterprise, WBDC can help drive your success in a tangible and accessible way.

Presented in collaboration with the CT Office of the Arts and the Women's Business Development Council of CT.

When: Wednesday, Aug 12, 2026
Time: 12-1pm
Virtual:

New to the Women's Business Development Council (WBDC)? In need of funding to support your next steps? Are you an artist who loves to create but love less running the business side of your creative venture? The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) can help! Come learn about the resources W

05/15/2026

Bring American’s premier celebration of traditional arts and culture to your community!

The National Council for the Traditional Arts will hold a webinar this month to introduce prospective National Folk Festival host communities to this transformative event. Information will include an overview of the festival; the economic, cultural, and social benefits to a host community; explanation of the broad coalition needed to pull off an event of this scale; as well as application process, timeline for interested communities, and answering frequently asked questions.

Two webinar sessions will be offered. It is only necessary to sign up for one; information covered will be the same in each.

· Wednesday, May 20, at 1:30 PM ET
· Thursday, May 28, at 1:30 PM ET

If you are interested in attending, go to

Imagine transforming your city into a vibrant celebration of music, dance, art, and food from across America that can bring audiences of over 100,000 and generate tens of millions in economic impact. The nation’s longest running traditional arts event—the National Folk Festival—can take root i...