Hamden, CT — April 24, 2026 — Arts for Learning Connecticut (AFLCT) is proud to announce it has been awarded a $12,500 grant from the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut through its Norwich Youth Grant program. This funding will support “Tell Your Story @ Teachers’ Memorial and Uncas: Social and Emotional Resiliency Through the Arts,” a school-based initiative serving Norwich students during the 2025-26 school year.
The program will provide in-depth, culturally responsive arts residencies for approximately 360 students in grades 2-8 at Teachers’ Memorial Global Studies Magnet Middle School and Uncas Elementary School. Through visual art, dance, and spoken word, students will develop confidence, self-expression, and social-emotional skills while fostering a stronger sense of connection within their school communities.
At Teachers’ Memorial, students in grades 6-8 will participate in multi-day residencies led by professional Teaching Artists specializing in graffiti arts and Mexican dance and culture. At Uncas Elementary, all students in grades 2-5 will engage in extended spoken word poetry residencies, exploring storytelling, identity, and creative voice.
“This program is about giving young people the tools and space to express who they are,” said John-Michael Parker, Executive Director of Arts for Learning Connecticut. “Through sustained arts learning experiences, students build confidence, strengthen communication skills, and develop a deeper sense of belonging, outcomes that are essential for both academic success and personal growth.”
The initiative is designed to address the needs of underserved youth in Norwich, where many students face barriers related to economic hardship, language access, and limited exposure to consistent arts learning opportunities. By embedding residencies directly into the school day and aligning them with classroom learning, AFLCT ensures that all students can participate in meaningful, high-quality arts experiences.
In addition to direct student impact, the program will engage educators and families, reaching an estimated 1,500 community members through school partnerships, student showcases, and shared learning experiences at home.
This grant builds on prior successful programming in Norwich and enables AFLCT to deepen its impact while expanding services to new school communities. The project also reflects AFLCT’s broader commitment to advancing equity through access to culturally responsive arts education.
For more information on the Community Foundation for Eastern Connecticut, please visit https://cfect.org/.