Creative Youth Development Grant Program

The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut offers the Creative Youth Development Grant Program to support artists and nonprofit organizations that provide arts-based programs to Danbury's youth. The program aims to inspire the next generation of artists through after-school education and activities that develop core social and emotional skills.

Grants of up to $5,000 are available for programs serving Danbury school-aged youth (elementary through high school) that take place outside normal school hours in arts venues, community centers, and youth-oriented settings. Programs must align with at least one of the following goals: create enriching and inclusive spaces for creative exploration, nurture artistic talents while embracing cultural and linguistic backgrounds, empower young voices through the arts, foster self-esteem through creative strengths, or develop essential life skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, and teamwork. Programs must include experiential or hands-on learning in at least one artistic or cultural discipline, including dance, literary arts, media arts, music, theatre, traditional and folk arts, or visual arts.

Applicants must be based in Western Connecticut (Greater Danbury area: Bethel, Brookfield, Bridgewater, Danbury, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Ridgefield, Redding, Sherman) and have a minimum of one year of experience in arts programming prior to the deadline. Artists must have a fiscal sponsor; 501(c)(3) organizations must be incorporated in Connecticut for at least one year and governed by a board of directors. The grant activity period runs January 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024. Applications are reviewed on clarity of information and feasibility, program description, artistic merit, and community engagement and social impact. Salary and wages may not exceed 25% of the total grant request. The application deadline is October 27, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. MDT.