HAMDEN, CT — January 2, 2026 — Arts for Learning CT has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Middlesex County to support a spring 2026 after-school arts learning residency at Bielefield Elementary School in Middletown.
The grant will help fund a 16-week, Teaching Artist-led residency designed to engage students in grades K-5 through hands-on arts learning experiences that foster creative expression, strengthen student connection to school, and address chronic absenteeism. The program will culminate in a family showcase event, bringing families into the school community to celebrate student work and strengthen school-home relationships.
According to district data, nearly 20 percent of students at Bielefield Elementary are chronically absent. The AFLCT residency is intentionally structured to increase student engagement and motivation by offering consistent, joyful learning experiences that extend beyond the regular school day.
“Arts learning plays a powerful role in helping students feel connected, confident, and excited to come to school,” said John-Michael Parker, Executive Director of Arts for Learning Connecticut. “We are deeply grateful to the Community Foundation of Middlesex County for investing in this program and in the students and families of Middletown. Their support allows us to deliver meaningful, culturally responsive arts experiences that strengthen both academic engagement and community connection.”
Approximately 40 students will participate in the program, receiving instruction from multiple professional Teaching Artists across disciplines, including storytelling, dance, and visual arts. Over the course of the residency, students will collectively engage in more than 1,200 hours of arts learning while developing communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
To learn more about the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, please visit https://middlesexcountycf.org/.