Arts Café Mystic Receives State Grant

Information via Arts Café Mystic

MYSTIC, CT — The Arts Café Mystic was awarded a $6,500 CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant (CTCFOSG) from Connecticut Humanities (CTH), the statewide, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

The Arts Café, celebrating 28 years as a regional venue, features a series of readings in spring and fall by nationally acclaimed poets and writers, complemented by music from New England's best musicians. Until the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted its schedule, the programs took place in the main gallery of the Mystic Arts Museum in downtown Mystic, with cafe-style seating.

“This funding will help us to come back even stronger when our next season opens this spring,” said John Sutherland, Arts Café board president. “With support from the Museum, we were able to present several outdoor programs on the patio the summer and fall of 2021. However, we are excited to put this funding to work to help us feature an exciting schedule of the best poets, writers and musicians to enrich the arts offerings in our region.”

The Arts Café Mystic was one of 624 organizations in Connecticut that was awarded CT Cultural Fund support totaling $16M from CT Humanities. The CTCFOSG are part of $30.7M of support allocated to arts, humanities and cultural nonprofits through CTH over the next two years by the CT General Assembly and approved by Governor Ned Lamont. The CTCFOSG will assist organizations as they recover from the pandemic and maintain and grow their ability to serve their community and the public.

“We are grateful for this generous financial support from the state, and just as thrilled by the continuing support we’ve received from our Café members, friends and community members,” said Lisa Starr, Arts Café artistic director. “When we re-emerge in the spring, in whatever shape or form, we will need the arts more than ever as both beacon and balm."