Arts Advocacy Award

Press Release: MIDDLETOWN -- The Middletown Commission on the Arts annually presents an Arts
Advocacy Award to an individual or group that has significantly contributed to the city’s
cultural and artistic enrichment and/or has shown extraordinary arts support and/or
initiative.
This year the MCA is seeking suggestions from the community for the award. The
individual or group need not reside or be based in Middletown but should have made an
outstanding impact on the arts in this city.
Earlier this year, Wadsworth Mansion executive director Deborah Moore and the Artists for
World Peace were honored. In 2013, director, teacher and playwright Carolyn Kirsch and
the Community Foundation of Middlesex County were chosen. In 2012, The Buttonwood
Tree and the Greater Middletown Concert Association received the award. In 2011,
composer Neely Bruce and the Mayor's Ball Committee earned distinction.
Email suggestions to City Arts Coordinator Stephan Allison at
Stephan.Allison@middletownct.gov by Dec. 17 and the town the sender lives in.
The MCA will honor this year's recipient in a public ceremony coinciding with National Arts
Advocacy Day March 23-24 in Washington, D.C.

Middletown Commission on the Arts celebrates Arts Advocacy Day

Press Release:

On April 9, the Middletown Commission on the Arts celebrates Arts Advocacy Day
by presenting awards to an individual and an organization that has significantly
contributed to the city’s cultural and artistic enrichment and shown extraordinary
support and initiative for the arts.
This year, the MCA honors the work of director, teacher and playwright Carolyn
Kirsch plus the great contributions of the Community Foundation of Middlesex
County.
National Arts Advocacy Day this year takes place in Washington, D.C., on April 8-9.
Now in its 16th year, The Middlesex County Community Foundation has worked to
ensure the region is a vibrant, thriving area that supports a broad range of services,
including the arts.
“Staff and volunteers of the Community Foundation work very hard to support
arts programs and arts organizations,” says Cynthia H. Clegg, president and CEO,
“especially during these hard economic times. The arts promote innovation and
collaboration and positively impact local economies, student learning and cultural
understanding.