"The Bitsie Clark Fund" Lifts Off For Year Three

The following was submitted by Bitsie Chick Mimsie Coleman.

Throughout this pandemic, artists in Greater New Haven have found innovative ways to show their creativity and humanity. The Bitsie Clark Fund for Artists (The Bitsie Fund) was created in 2018 to support that spirit of creativity. The Fund is now inviting artists in Greater New Haven to apply for its 2020 grant. The deadline for the initial expression of interest (the first step in the process) is May 1st.

The Bitsie Fund honors the legacy of Frances (Bitsie) Clark, Executive Director of the Arts Council of Greater New Haven for 20 years. Many of Bitsie’s most meaningful actions at the Arts Council stemmed from her everyday interactions with artists who sought her advice. She counseled them, nurtured their talents, and helped them realize their dreams.

The Bitsie Fund aims to do the same. It will enrich the Greater New Haven community by investing in artists from all art disciplines (including visual, performing, literary and film), who will work with a non-profit organization that will serve as a fiscal sponsor. The Fund encourages applications from artists who are seeking to either tackle a major goal in their artistic development, take a risk on a new direction in their work, or advance their career as an artist.

The Bitsie Fund has awarded three grants. Its first, in 2018, was a $2,500 grant to the artist/printmaker and teacher, Barbara Harder, enabling her to travel to Japan to study the unique Japanese handmade paper, Washi.

One 2019 grant for $5,000 was awarded to photographer/musician/teacher Harold Shapiro, who exquisitely merged his two lifelong passions of photography and music in “Luminous Instruments” where he produces images of instruments that evoke movement and music. A second $5,000 grant supports musician/composer/teacher Adam Matlock in his herculean plan to create an opera commemorating the 1921 white mob massacre of African-Americans in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where hundreds died and thousands were displaced.

The Bitsie Fund was established by five women, called the Bitsie Chicks, who were Clark's proteges at various times (names below). The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven manages the Fund.

For information about the 2020 application and the submission of a pre-application, which will be due on May 1st, please visit: TheBitsieClarkFund.org.