HAMDEN, CT — August 29, 2025 — Arts for Learning Connecticut (AFLCT), the state’s leading provider of arts learning programming, is pleased to announce it has received a $5,000 grant from the William T. Sloper Trust for Andrew J. Sloper Musical Fund to support its program Music and Melodies: Cultural Arts at Smalley Elementary.
The funding will bring four high-quality, culturally diverse musical performances to over 600 students in grades PK–5 at Smalley Elementary School in New Britain during the 2025–26 school year. The program, which was paused last year due to funding gaps, will return stronger and more sustainable thanks to this grant.
“Programs like Music and Melodies are vital for students who otherwise may not have regular access to the arts,” said John-Michael Parker, Executive Director of AFLCT. “At Smalley Elementary, 85% of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals and 92% identify as Black, Latino, or Multiracial. Thanks to the Sloper Trust’s generosity, these students will experience the joy, learning, and belonging that come through music and cultural connection.”
This initiative not only enriches the school community but also supports Social and Emotional Learning, culturally responsive education, and academic achievement, aligning with AFLCT’s mission to inspire young people and expand their learning through the arts.
AFLCT reaches more than 70,000 students annually across half of Connecticut’s towns, with a diverse roster of over 85 Teaching Artists. The organization is the Connecticut affiliate of the national Young Audiences Arts for Learning network.
For more information about William T. Sloper Trust for Andrew J. Sloper Musical Fund, visit https://www.bankofamerica.com/philanthropic/foundation/?fnId=4.