Our Initiatives
To best serve the community of Ridgefield, the Arts Council is committed to creating and developing initiatives that inform, entertain, promote, and inspire the arts in our town. Click the initiatives below to learn more!
BEHIND THE SCENES HONORS
is an annual ceremony to recognize the outstanding contribution of volunteers working ‘behind the scenes’ at our non-profit cultural institutions. These volunteers are vital to the success of our cultural community. This tradition provides an opportunity for the Arts Council and the Town of Ridgefield to officially recognize their selfless hard work and thank them for the contribution they make.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ROUNDTABLE
is a quarterly gathering of our community’s arts non-profit organizations to discuss schedules, challenges and opportunities for collaboration. It is through these discussions that we are able to understand the community’s needs, identify new projects for the Arts Council and gather information in order to advocate on behalf of our constituents.
OUR ARTISTS, OUR SCHOOLS
is an initiative to facilitate partnerships between Ridgefield’s schools and our creative community. Projects have included a logo-design unit with a graphic arts class, school performance from local singer/songwriters enhancing a colonial history unit and a partnership with the Aldrich museum and a kindergarten class. Ongoing seminars include ’Careers in the Arts’ day at Ridgefield High School, where students have the opportunity to hear adults discuss their journey from student to creative professionals and a College Seminar, a collaboration with the Ridgefield Library and other local non-profits, for students who are ready to continue their artistic studies. And, during the pandemic - a virtual string orchestra improv night for Ridgefield Middle Schoolers!
THE GENERATOR
is a network of creative individuals who live and work near the community of Ridgefield, Connecticut. Each quarter, artists, writers and performers gather with the goal of learning, sharing, and networking with others to enhance both their creative process and their careers. The gatherings feature innovative speakers, arts demonstrations and presentations geared toward the creative community.
MAKE MUSIC DAY
Make Music is a free celebration of music around the world on June 21st. Launched in 1982 in France as the Fête de la Musique, it is now held on the same day in more than 1,000 cities in 120 countries.
Completely different from a typical music festival, Make Music is open to anyone who wants to take part. Every kind of musician — young and old, amateur and professional, of every musical persuasion — pours onto streets, parks, plazas, and porches to share their music with friends, neighbors, and strangers. All of it is free and open to the public.
RAC SCHOLARSHIP
Each spring, the Ridgefield Arts Council Scholarship provides support of $500 to a Ridgefield resident and high school senior who anticipates pursuing personal advancement in a field of artistic endeavor. Application process usually opens in the new year and the deadline to submit is usually mid-April. Interested in learning more or applying? Click the button below to visit our Scholarship Page!