NEFA’s CCX Galvanizes Local Arts Scene June 8-11
Public Arts Events Surrounding CCX Abound!
The Southeastern Connecticut Cultural Coalition, the local host organization of the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) Creative Communities Exchange, announces lineup of public events surrounding the 2-day event on June 8-9 in New London.
The Creative Communities Exchange (CCX) will bring 300 New England leaders who are engaged in creative economy or creative placemaking projects to the city and region. New London arts and community organizations have organized an array of events and activities for both the attendees and the public to coincide with the two-day event.
The public is invited to attend local special events surrounding CCX (times, prices and detailed info with links available HERE ), which include:
- Segway tours of downtown New London by Wheeling City Tours
- Walking tours of historic New London sites by New London Landmarks
- Four Centuries in 90 minutes water tour by Thames River Heritage Park
- Sunset boat tours and New London Lighthouse Harbor tours by New London Maritime Society
- Art exhibits at galleries, including Apex at Hygienic Art
- Festival of Creativity & Innovation
- Blues & Brews Fest
- Creatinova
- Storefront Public Art Project with ribbon cutting officiated by Mayor Passero
In addition, existing arts events around the region, including at Mystic Seaport, Florence Griswold and Slater Memorial Museum are taking place. The 2017 CT Open House Day is Saturday, June 10 at hundreds of venues across the state. For a regional calendar of events, visit www.CORE-ECT.com
Cultural Coalition Executive Director Wendy Bury says, “It is exciting to have provided the impetus for the coming together of so many artists, organizations and efforts that will showcase New London and our region to arts leaders from all over New England, as well, as our own communities.”
While some of the events take place independently and year-round, the CCX allowed the opportunity to coordinate existing activities, enhance planned events, and create new events to feature visual arts, music and history. CCX has also spurred downtown beautification efforts and provided positive economic impact to the City.
Bury says, “New London is already a center for arts in the region and southeastern CT is a hub for arts in the state. Being selected as the local host organization for NEFA’s CCX allowed us to capitalize on those assets and provide a platform to highlight those assets to a New England audience.” She continues, “It has been a great collaboration. We could not have done this without the City of New London, the Garde, Hygienic, MS17 Art Project and New London Main Street, and we are thrilled to help provide a spotlight that will shine a big light on the creative economy in New London and southeastern CT.”
The Southeastern Connecticut Cultural Coalition announced last fall that it was selected as the local host organization after a competitive process. Since then, the organization has provided local support to NEFA to help coordinate, communicate and organize the two-day CCX. The Cultural Coalition formed a local host subcommittee with representatives from numerous organizations and the City to plan CCX activities, identify vendors, and support the event needs. Local sponsors include the Community Foundation of Eastern CT and the Frank Loomis Palmer Fund, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee among others.
For a listing of local activities and events surrounding the Creative Communities Exchange, http://culturesect.org/nefa-ccx-2017-new-london/
For more information about the New England Foundation for the Arts’ Creative Communities Exchange, www.CCXNewEngland.org
The New England Foundation for the Arts’ CCX is a peer-to-peer exchange of the strategies used in successful creative economy initiatives around New England. CCX professional development workshops are for New England leaders who are engaged in creative economy and creative placemaking projects that leverage their local creative sector for the revitalization and growth of their broader community.
The event is sold out.