Community Foundation of Middlesex County to be Honored by Arts Commission

On April 9, the Middletown Commission on the Arts celebrates Arts Advocacy Day by presenting awards to an individual and an organization that has significantly contributed to the city’s cultural and artistic enrichment and shown extraordinary support and initiative for the arts. This year, the MCA honors the work of director, teacher and playwright Carolyn Kirsch plus the great contributions of the Community Foundation of Middlesex County. National Arts Advocacy Day this year takes place in Washington, D.C., April 8-9. Now in its 16th year, The Middlesex County Community Foundation has worked to ensure the region is a vibrant, thriving area that supports a broad range of services, including the arts. “Staff and volunteers of the Community Foundation work very hard to support arts programs and arts organizations,” says Cynthia H. Clegg, president and CEO, “especially during these hard economic times. The arts promote innovation and collaboration and positively impact local economies, student learning and cultural understanding. “Best of all, the arts inspire and can transform neighborhoods, communities, minds, hearts and lives,” Clegg says. Kirsch appeared in 15 Broadway musicals over a 21-year period. During that time, she worked extensively for director/choreographers Michael Bennett and Bob Fosse. As a member of the Original Company of “A Chorus Line” she was the recipient of a Theatre World Award. She is the Musical Theatre Department Chair of the Center for Creative Youth at Wesleyan, and is on the faculty of The Grater Harford Academy of the Arts. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Dance Allegiance and studied acting with the legendary Uta Hagen and continues to study with Austin Pendleton, both of HB Studio, New York City. She has written a play based on the life and artistic times of Camille Claudel, the French sculptress. Mayor Dan Drew will congratulate awardees and the arts commission will dedicate its display case in city hall to former arts commissioner and city design review and preservation board member Patricia Evans for her lifelong support of the MCA. Last year, The Buttonwood Tree and Greater Middletown Concert Association were recognized, and in 2011, composer and Wesleyan music professor Neely Bruce and the Mayor’s Ball committees were distinguished. Awards will be presented April 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the lobby of city hall. Light refreshments will be served and the public is invited to attend and take a self-guided tour of the commission’s Public Art Collection throughout city hall.