HAMDEN, CT — December 18, 2025 — Arts for Learning Connecticut (AFLCT) is pleased to announce it has received a $5,000 grant from the Windsor Locks Greater Together Community Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. This funding will support The Universal Language: Cultural Arts in Windsor Locks, a district-wide arts learning initiative that will bring four multicultural school-wide performances to North Street School and South Elementary during the 2025–26 school year. The project will serve all 731 PK–5 students in Windsor Locks, advancing cultural learning, strengthening a sense of belonging, and enriching academic engagement through the arts.
The Universal Language will feature four 45-60 minute assemblies curated by the district’s Multilingual Learner/Title III coordinator to align directly with cultural and language-development priorities. Students will experience performances rooted in traditions such as Mexican dance, Ghanaian drumming, and Latine music; programming that integrates movement, music, and storytelling to celebrate cultures represented within the school community.
This project responds to an identified need for inclusive, culturally responsive arts programming in Windsor Locks, where approximately 39% of PK-5 students identify as students of color, 43.5% qualify for free or reduced-price meals, 10.4% are English Learners, and 17.2% receive special education services. Teachers and district leaders have requested school-wide arts experiences that celebrate student identities, reflect linguistic and cultural diversity, and strengthen shared understanding across grades. By bringing high-quality multicultural performances to every PK-5 student within the same school year, the initiative provides an equitable model that supports both classroom learning and school climate.
AFLCT is the state’s premier provider of curriculum-aligned arts learning and has a long history of successful partnerships in Windsor Locks. Recent programs at North Street School and South Elementary drew exceptional educator feedback for engagement, cultural relevance, and professionalism, with teachers noting how meaningful it was to see students and staff energized by culturally rooted performances. Building on this foundation, The Universal Language expands access, strengthens coherence across both schools, and ensures that every child participates in a shared arts experience during the 2025-26 school year.
The Windsor Locks Greater Together Community Fund, established by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, supports projects that strengthen the town by encouraging residents to identify local needs and develop community-based solutions. More information about the fund is available at https://www.hfpg.org/donors/ways-to-give/community-funds/windsor-locks.