HAMDEN, CT — December 30, 2025 — Arts for Learning CT is pleased to announce it has received a $5,000 grant from the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation (NCCF) to support the 2026 Region One Grade 4 Arts Day, a regional arts enrichment experience for fourth graders from across Northwest Connecticut.
The award was made possible by the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, a tax-exempt public charity that enables donors to establish funds that support local nonprofits with grants and scholarships. For more than 50 years, NCCF has worked to improve the quality of life across the region by connecting donor passions with community needs and providing smart, responsive grant-making that supports nonprofits addressing critical issues in northwest Connecticut towns.
Held at Kent School in partnership with the Regional School District One, Region One Grade 4 Arts Day will bring approximately 100 fourth-grade students from the six district towns (Kent, Cornwall, Sharon, Falls Village, North Canaan, and Salisbury) together for a full day of creative enrichment. The program features two professional showcase performances and hands-on workshops led by Teaching Artists in visual and performing arts, offering cultural experiences that many students might not otherwise have access to due to geographic and economic barriers.
“Arts learning sparks curiosity, deepens cultural understanding, and builds community,” said John-Michael Parker, Executive Director of Arts for Learning Connecticut. “We are grateful to the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation and its donors for this investment, which ensures that these rural students have access to meaningful arts experiences that enrich their school year.”
Region One Grade 4 Arts Day fosters creativity, connection, and personal expression while supporting students’ sense of belonging and engagement with school and community. The NCCF grant helps ensure a broad range of artistic disciplines and meaningful, interactive experiences for every participating student.
About the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation
The Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation is a public charity that champions community causes by bringing donors and nonprofits together through grant-making and scholarships. It serves 20 towns in northwest Connecticut, working to improve the quality of life through philanthropic partnerships and strategic support for community initiatives. Learn more by visiting https://www.yournccf.org/.