---
title: About Arts Council of Greater New Haven
description: Learn More about the Arts Council of Greater New Haven
---
[](https://www.newhavenarts.org/?hsLang=en)
[** ](https://www.newhavenarts.org/about#)
[](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4332862/f2d9e7b3-7aef-4e69-aa6e-7bf55be287a8)
[DONATE](https://www.newhavenarts.org/donate?hsLang=en)
# Your Arts Council
###### Supporting our creative ecosystem since 1964
![MardiGras[400x328].jpg](https://www.newhavenarts.org/hs-fs/hubfs/About_Us/MardiGras%5B400x328%5D.jpg?width=400&name=MardiGras%5B400x328%5D.jpg "MardiGras[400x328].jpg")
## Our Mission
###### We strive to advance Greater New Haven by providing leadership and support to our diverse arts community. We envision a thriving arts community at the heart of Greater New Haven. We believe that art, culture, and creativity are fundamental human rights.
## What We Do
Empower
Unite
Amplify
## Programs
###### From Fiscal Sponsorship to the Youth Arts Journalism Initiative, Free Membership to Make Music Day - we're working around the clock to build a strong, diverse, and united creative community in Greater New Haven
*Photo Credits (from L to R): Lucy Gellman (Make Music Day), Stephanie Anestis (Neighborhood Music School), Maria Fernanda Gonzalez, Joan Marcus (Yale Repertory Theatre), Stephanie Anestis (Neighborhood Music School), Creative Arts Workshop*
## Partnerships
## [](https://ctartsalliance.org/)[](https://www.infonewhaven.com/marketnewhaven/)[](https://www.downtownnewhaven.com/)[](https://www.whitneyaudubon.com/)
## [](https://www.whitneyaudubon.com/)
## [](https://www.whitneyaudubon.com/)
## 
## Where We Came From
###### 1964
The Arts Council is founded by board members of Neighborhood Music School and the New Haven Symphony Orchestra in order to acquire space for their programs. The City of New Haven suggests Audubon Street, a part of the State Street Redevelopment Plan.
###### 1965
Newt Schenck is recruited to help obtain the space from the City for an arts center. The Arts Council applies for funds from the New Haven Foundation to create a master plan. The City appoints the Arts Council as the preferred developer of Audubon Street.
###### 1967
The Arts Council assists Neighborhood Music school in making the first land purchase on Audubon Street.
###### 1968
The Arts Council next assists Creative Arts Workshop in making their land purchase on Audubon Street.
###### 1973
The Mishkan Israel building is converted into Educational Center for the Arts, an arts high school
###### 1978
The Arts Council hires its first Executive Director, Baker Salisbury
###### 1979
The Arts Council publishes a monthly news & events bulletin and calendar which will eventually become The Arts Paper
###### 1980
Creation of the Annual Arts Awards celebration
###### 1983
The Arts Council hires Bitsie Clark as Executive Director
###### 1985
The First Arts Awards luncheon takes place, modeled after the Arts and Business Council event in NYC
###### 1987
A decision is made to build 70 Audubon Street with the New Haven Foundation (now known as the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven) and Artspace
###### 1990
Opening of 70 Audubon Street
###### 1996
Creation of the Regional Cultural Plan, a collaborative effort to create a sustainable cultural community.
###### 1997
Greater New Haven Arts Stabilization Project created to work with eight arts organizations and consultants from National Arts Stabilization. This process taught organizations new management and fiscal skills, helping them increase working capital and invest in infrastructure.
## Behind the Scenes
###### Our staff, Board of Directors, and Sustaining Members work together to support our vibrant communities
[](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4332862/4a982c7b-4553-4d5b-8cdf-b0e65cb392c8)
### Our Funders
[](http://www.cultureandtourism.org/cct/cwp/view.asp?a=3948&q=464520)
[](http://www.cfgnh.org)
[](https://www.newhavenct.gov/arts/default.htm)
[](https://www.newhavenct.gov/gov/depts/ed/default.htm)
[.png?width=140&height=53&name=TNH%20Logo%20Color%20(1).png "TNH Logo Color (1)")](https://www.togethernewhaven.com/pledge)
[](https://www.mellon.org/grant-programs/humanities-in-place)
[](https://www.arts.gov/)
[](https://www.pincusfamilyfoundation.org/)
[](https://carolynfoundation.org/)
[](https://albersfoundation.org/)
[](https://newalliancefoundation.org/)
[](https://www.aces.org/)
[](https://www.avangrid.com/wps/portal/avangrid/aboutus/avangridfoundation)
[](https://www.uinet.com/)
[](https://www.suzioyorkhill.com/)
#### The Werth Family Foundation
#### [ Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven ](https://newhavenjewishfoundation.org/)
#### [ Southern CT State University, School of Arts & Sciences ](https://www.southernct.edu/arts-sciences)
#### [ Yale University ](https://www.yale.edu/)
#### [ Otaru Sushi Bar ](http://www.sushiotaruct.com/)
#### [ Hartford HealthCare ](https://hartfordhealthcare.org/)
#### [ Odyssey Associates ](https://odysseyassociates.llc/)
#### [ Potocsny Financial Group ](http://www.pfgct.com/)
*Financial information and copies of Arts Council's submitted 990s can be found [here](https://givegreater.cfgnh.org/organizations/arts-council-of-greater-new-haven). *
## Explore Upcoming Events
[](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4332862/bef116cd-87ea-4b49-a062-cf102c1638b2)
**
**GIVE WITH PURPOSE: YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS**
The Arts Council supports hundreds of individual artists and creative organizations helping to reach thousands of residents every year.
Want to help support the Arts Council in other ways? [Learn more here](https://www.newhavenarts.org/support-your-arts-council?hsLang=en).
No thanks
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