CT Humanities’ Board of Directors recently approved 18 new Quick Grant awards totaling $77,701 in funding from the State of Connecticut.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Cyndi Tolosa, ctolosa@cthumanities.org 860.986.6704
Middletown, CT (July 23, 2026) – This round of grants supports organizations across Connecticut that offer initiatives and projects focused on Latino and Hispanic cultures and the commemoration of America 250.
“People Empowering People Communities (PEP): Immigrant Voices, Civic Belonging, and Democracy in Stamford” brings together Spanish-speakers in the Stamford area to explore ideas of civic engagement in their local communities through discussions, leadership development, and community-led projects. Other funded projects include a Diwali community event, a discussion of creative writing and its relationship to AI, Vietnamese Buddhist cultural heritage, and a film festival.
“We’re excited to support such a broad range of community programs this round,” said Becky Vitkauskas, Grants Officer at CT Humanities. “These projects demonstrate the fantastic work being done to highlight and preserve the diverse voices and experiences that make up our state.”
The full list of funded programs is:
CRCOG Foundation (Hartford, $4,500)
Greater Hartford Civility Summit
The Greater Hartford Civility Summit, hosted on September 16th in West Hartford, convenes elected officials, municipal leaders, educators, nonprofit partners, business leaders, and residents for a morning of meaningful dialogue and practical tools to strengthen civic culture. At a time of heightened division and public pressure, this event centers on restoring civility, promoting accountability, and equipping leaders to serve with integrity and professionalism.
Central Connecticut State University (New Britain, $4,999)
Understanding the Connections Between Latino Art and Citizenship: Public Discussion Programs and an Art Exhibit
The CCSU Latin American, Latino, and Caribbean Center will continue its exploration of the place of Latinos in the United States around the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence through discussions of Latino art led by expert art historians, and a symposium on U.S. citizenship featuring Dr. Kunal Parker, an expert on the history of immigration law. The program will coincide with a Latino art exhibit of materials donated to the LALCC by Dr. Gilberto Cardenas and Dolores Garcia.
Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County (Norwalk, $4,999)
Raices en el Lente: A Five-Part Bilingual Podcast Series on Hispanic Cultures in Connecticut
Raices en el Lente is a 5 part bilingual documentary video podcast series produced by En el Lente Productions (LLC) that spotlights the rich cultural contributions of five Hispanic communities living in CT. Each 30-minute episode features on-camera interviews with local restaurants, dance groups, and community personalities who have made meaningful contributions to their communities. Episodes will air from 7/2026 through 11/2026 and will be distributed across EEL’s digital and print platforms.
Florence Griswold Museum (Old Lyme, $1,401)
Commemorating America’s 250th at the Florence Griswold Museum
The Florence Griswold Museum will present a celebration of America’s 250th in all its gallery spaces this summer. CTH funding will help underwrite the costs of producing an interpretive gallery guide for the Museum’s first juried exhibition, “Patchwork: Connecticut Artists Consider 250”. CTH-funded materials are devoted to amplifying the humanities themes established by the CT Commission on America 250.
Hai An Pagoda (New Britain, $4,999)
Preserving Vietnamese Buddhist Culture Heritage in America: A Community Conversation and Workshop
The Vietnamese Buddhist Association of Connecticut will host a bilingual community conversation and workshop to reflect on the growth of the Vietnamese community in Connecticut and the broader United States and promote the appreciation and preservation of Vietnamese Buddhist cultural heritage among future generations. The event will take place on Sunday, November 1st, 2026. It is free and open to the public.
Hartford’s Proud (Hartford, $2,375)
Hartford’s Proud Presents: Multicultural Unite Festival
Multicultural Unite is a free, one-day multicultural celebration designed to bring diverse communities together through cultural expression, education, and shared experiences, raising awareness about social issues that impact us all. The goal is to foster unity in a time when division is often highlighted. The event will be held on August 1, 2026, from 2:00–6:00 p.m. at Swift Factory, 10 Love Lane, Hartford, Connecticut, as an outdoor public event; attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
Keeler Tavern Museum and History Center (Ridgefield, $4,999)
60 Objects for 60 Years: Reflecting on the People, Places, and Stories of KTM&HC
In honor of Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center’s 60th birthday, 60 Objects for 60 Years showcases the institution’s history through a selection of archival documents, photographs, 3D objects, and buildings. The varied objects bring to life the evolution of KTM&HC’s site, stories, programming, and audiences, turning the historical interpretive lens inward to reflect on how KTM&HC has grown, adapted, and changed over the years. The exhibition will run from September 2026 through August 2027.
Layavinyasa (Glastonbury, $4,958)
Share The Light 2026 – Community Diwali Event
“Share the Light: A program to celebrate and educate the community on Diwali” is a free public event aligned with Connecticut’s 250th anniversary theme of “telling inclusive stories” on October 24th at Smith Middle School in Glastonbury, Connecticut. The program will include intergenerational storytelling, cultural music and dance performances, hands-on crafts such as diya decoration and community activities. The event promotes cultural understanding and connection across diverse communities.
The Mark Twain House & Museum (Hartford, $4,999)
Creative Writing in the Age of AI
On Saturday, November 7th, The Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford will present a one-day symposium, Creative Writing in the Age of AI. John Warner, a leading expert on teaching writing in the age of AI, will moderate discussions with authors, scholars, journalists, and educators to explore the philosophical and ethical aspects of generative AI and human creativity, the experiences of authors and editors, and ways generative AI is reshaping how we read, engage with, and teach literary arts.
Mystic Film Institute (Groton, $4,775)
Mystic Film Institute Education Programs at the Mystic Film Festival Sept 24-27, 2026
Mystic Film Institute brings workshops, talkbacks, and humanities-based lectures to Mystic Film Festival, exploring how cinema impacts communities and society. We connect festival films to meaningful conversations with educators, artists, filmmakers, and experts, while offering workshops that help creators make films that inspire dialogue and lasting impact.
Mystic Museum of Art (Groton, $4,999)
Luxe CT Exhibition Lecture Series
Mystic Museum of Art (MMoA)’s summer 2026 exhibition, Luxe CT: Velvet Mills to Modern Runways (June 26th – October 11th), traces the significance and evolution of textiles in this region. In concert with our exhibition key partners, Historic Stonington, Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center, Studio Art Quilt Associates, and Mystic Seaport Museum, we will host a five part lecture series to explore related humanities themes and to highlight elements of the exhibition in greater detail.
Sacred Heart University (Fairfield, $4,999)
“We all belong here”: Greene Homes Residents Share Their Story Through Photovoice
Sacred Heart University and PT Partners are collaborating on a photovoice project that explores residents’ perceptions of living in public housing and responses to their community’s impending demolition. Photovoice is a participatory action research method through which people use photography, narration, and discussion to amplify their community. A key part of this project is a public exhibition of photos and narratives produced by residents, which will take place August–November in Bridgeport.
Sacred Heart University Community Theatre (Fairfield, $4,950)
Music in Context: Exploring Culture Through Performance
The SHU Community Theatre will present a three-part “Music in Context” series featuring Classical, Jazz, and World Music performances by internationally recognized artists. Each event will include a humanities-based component, a post-performance discussion and contextual program one-sheet, exploring the cultural and historical background of the music. Programs will take place at the SHU Community Theatre in Fairfield, Connecticut, during its 2026/2027 season.
The Salisbury Forum (Salisbury, $3,000)
Envisioning an Integral Ecology with John Grim, Mary Evelyn Tucker, and Sam King.
The Salisbury Forum will present a free public talk exploring the intersection of science and religion on October 30th. The program will feature Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim, co-founders and co-directors of the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology, and Sam King, Advisor to the Ecological Leadership and Ministry certificate program at Yale Divinity School. We plan to make links to their film and website available on the Salisbury Forum website, following the talk.
Shakesperience Productions (Waterbury, $4,999)
Waterbury Interactive, Our City, Our Neighborhoods: 250th Celebration
In celebration of Connecticut’s 250th anniversary (1776–2026), the Waterbury Neighborhoods! Program presents a humanities-based initiative exploring the intersection of history and community transformation. Through storytelling, public performance, multimedia, and discussions, lifelong participants learn how the passage of time has shaped Waterbury’s communities and identities. The program runs from June 1, 2026 – May 30, 2027.
Stamford Public Education Foundation (Stamford, $4,999)
People Empowering People Communities (PEP): Immigrant Voices, Civic Belonging, and Democracy in Stamford
People Empowering People (PEP) is a free, 10-week Spanish-language public humanities program open to all Stamford residents that empowers immigrant parents to explore themes of democracy, belonging, identity, and participation in American civic life. From October 2026 through June 2027, residents will participate in facilitated discussions, leadership development, and community-led projects connected to the America 250 themes of inclusive storytelling, the common good, and civic participation.
Town of Vernon (Vernon, $1,752)
Vernon and the Movement for American Independence
The project will consist of four 8’ x 3’ banners that narrate the story of North Bolton’s (future Vernon’s) role in the revolutionary era from 1760 to 1783. A story in a socially inclusive way in state and national contexts, showing and interpreting primary sources such as historical images, documents, and newspapers. The banners will travel for presentations in many Vernon locations during the summer and into the winter of 2026 for maximum exposure and then be turned into a permanent display.
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art (Hartford, $4,999)
¡Batey Boricua!: Creamos Nuestro Espacio / We Create Our Space
From September 3, 2026, through February 7, 2027, The Wadsworth will present ¡Batey Boricua!: Creamos Nuestro Espacio / We Create Our Space, an exhibition of works by Connecticut-connected artists of the Puerto Rican diaspora. Presented alongside The Sense of Beauty: Six Centuries of Painting from Museo de Arte de Ponce, the exhibition explores migration, cultural memory, and identity through contemporary art.
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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.
