HAMDEN, CT, May 19, 2025 — Arts for Learning CT (AFLCT) is proud to announce the receipt of several recent grant awards from public and private funders. These awards will strengthen and expand access to high-quality arts learning experiences for students across the state.
The Connecticut Office of the Arts, through the CT Arts Endowment Fund, has awarded AFLCT a general operating support grant of $2,701. A returning funder, the Connecticut Office of the Arts has long been a valued partner in AFLCT’s mission to inspire young people and enrich communities through the arts. General operating support helps sustain AFLCT’s work across all program areas, ensuring continued service to thousands of Connecticut students annually.
The Stocker Foundation, a new supporter of AFLCT, has awarded a $10,000 grant to benefit the organization’s Higher Order Thinking Schools program. This funding will specifically support students in Hartford County, aligning with the Foundation’s focus on advancing literacy and STEAM-based education for Pre-K through 8th-grade learners.
Additionally, AFLCT received a $500 grant from the Peckham Family Foundation, another new funding partner. This award will support arts learning programming that fosters creativity, empathy, and self-expression.
With the support of these new and renewed investments, AFLCT will continue to expand its reach to schools, libraries, community centers, and youth-serving organizations throughout Connecticut, empowering students through arts-integrated learning that supports academic achievement and well-being.
About Higher Order Thinking (HOT) Schools:
The Higher Order Thinking Schools program is a comprehensive initiative integrating arts learning into the core curriculum to improve school and student outcomes. Its goals are to improve student engagement, enrich school culture, and expand teacher practice. It is built on the belief that arts learning promotes higher-order thinking and develops skills such as problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration. HOT Schools partner schools are characterized by their focus on Social and Emotional Learning, Culturally Responsive Teaching practice, and school culture, fostering an environment where every student is encouraged to engage actively in their learning. The program has been recognized nationally for its innovative approach to education and its success in enhancing student achievement.