HAMDEN, CT, July 10, 2025 — Arts for Learning CT (AFLCT) is pleased to announce it has received a $1,750 grant from the Chelsea Groton Foundation in support of its continued partnership with the Regional Multicultural Magnet School (RMMS) in New London. This funding will help expand access to AFLCT’s Higher Order Thinking Schools program, a meaningful arts-integrated learning experience, during the 2025–26 school year.
The grant will support the delivery of culturally responsive performances, classroom workshops, and Teaching Artist residencies designed to foster student engagement, support academic learning, and enrich school culture. RMMS, a longtime participant in AFLCT’s Higher Order Thinking Schools program, serves a diverse student population, with over 60% students of color, 65% eligible for free or reduced-price meals, and more than 15% with disabilities.
“We’re grateful to the Chelsea Groton Foundation for joining us in our commitment to educational equity through the arts,” said John-Michael Parker, Executive Director of Arts for Learning CT. “With their support, we’re able to bring creative, inclusive, and inspiring experiences to students who need and deserve them most.”
This investment builds on AFLCT’s longstanding work with RMMS, where arts-integrated learning has become a key part of the school’s approach to fostering empathy, creativity, and higher-order thinking skills. The Chelsea Groton Foundation’s support helps ensure that more young people in New London have access to transformative arts opportunities that support their growth both in and out of the classroom.
For more information about Arts for Learning Connecticut, or to support this work, contact Jed Kornbluh, Director of Business Development, at jkornbluh@aflct.org.
About the Chelsea Groton Foundation
Chelsea Groton Foundation, Inc. was established in 1998 as a Section 501(c)(3) organization. Initially endowed with a $2 million donation from Chelsea Groton Bank, the Foundation has awarded over $7.7 million in grants to non-profit organizations in the Bank’s Connecticut and Rhode Island market areas.
The Foundation’s mission is to support the ongoing commitment in partnership to the long-term growth of our community. Along with Chelsea Groton Bank, the Foundation is committed to belonging, equity, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring an ongoing sense of belonging for all, today and in the future.
For more information about their work, please visit www.chelseagroton.com/about/why-chelsea-groton/chelsea-groton-foundation.
About Higher Order Thinking 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.