Grants & Scholarships

The Newtown Arts Festival was established in 2011 with two goals in mind.

To support and promote local arts and the community in a town-wide celebration.

To raise money for arts-related college scholarships and to provide grants for local artists and arts organizations.

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Currently in our fourteenth year, three scholarships have been awarded to Newtown residents who were graduating high school

2025 SCHOLARSHIPS WINNERS

Scholarship Poster Final _2025

Sadie Baimel

 

"I hope to pursue screen scoring in my career. I plan to work with film, television, and video game scoring so that I am able to be versatile and take many different jobs."

 

Ella renak

 

"I plan to become a secondary education teacher for French and work as a musical theatre choreographer wherever I can."

 

rachel calorossi

 

"My goal as a photographer is to be able to capture the happiest moments in people's lives so that they have a source of light when darkness creeps in, much like the "Be Kind" murals have acted as one for me."

 

Scholarship requirements:

 

1. Must be a graduating senior and Newtown resident

2. Plan to attend a two or four year college

3. Plan to major in an arts related field Grant requirements for local individuals and Newtown based groups, clubs, and arts organizations :

4. Bring art to the community (e.g., Friends of Seniors, Town Players)

Past Project Grants

Our grants have helped accomplish many things – a new hanging system for the Flagpole Photographers and others to show their work at the Municipal Center Art Gallery, new stage flooring for the Town Players Little Theatre, and two artisan showcases, one at the Newtown Community Center and the other at the Municipal Center Art Gallery.

 

Public art projects include:

  • The Nighthawks Theatre Spotlight was awarded a grant to support student participation in theatre programs at Newtown High School. The organization provides production assistance for NHS plays and musicals and recognizes student achievement in theatre arts.
  • https://.www.nighthawkstheatrespotlight.org
  • Ben's Lighthouse was awarded a grant to present four of The Isle of Skoo puppet shows along with crafts at the 2025 Arts Festival. It was an ideal opportunity to promote the inspirational show and the mission of Ben’s Lighthouse. The show allows children to address their feelings honestly and encourages them to "be the light and lead the way."   www.benslighthouse.org 
    

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    Virginia Zimmerman’s train mural on the Church Hill Road overpass
    

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    The Dog Park mural designed and painted by Lindsay Fuori
    

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    Paula Brinkman’s two-year beautification project at Fairfield Hills that resulted in The Doors at Fairfield Hills and several painted windows on boarded up buildings.
    

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Three other artists collaborated on the Doors project, including Dave Brooker, Julia Sikes Provey, and Kristine Humber.



	





	

	

				
					

	



	

		

	
    
			

	



	







	

		

	
Grant Rules and Requirements:


1.      Grant application forms must be legible and complete.


2.      Projects should be completed within one year of the date the grant is awarded.


3.      The project must enhance the arts in the Newtown community.


4.      Applicants must be 18 years or older, and the individual or organization must reside in Newtown, CT


5.      Applicant agrees to acknowledge NCAC’s financial assistance on all publicity and promotional material in a legible font.


6.      Access to participation in the project will not be limited based on national origin, race, religion, age, or gender.


7.      No grant funds can be used for payment of debts incurred before the start date or after termination of the project.


8.      Projects must not include publishing that is initiated solely by the applicant (i.e., vanity press)


9.      Funds may not be used to pay for credits or materials necessary to fulfill degree requirements for students.


10.   Activities must not be for religious purposes.


11.   Grant funds cannot be used to support strictly commercial activities, projects intended for mass-market distribution, or those that have profit as the direct primary motive.


12.   Newtown Cultural Arts Commissioners and NCAC Project Grant Selection Committee members and their families are not eligible to apply for this program during their tenure on the Commission or Committee or within 6 months of their resignation from the NCAC or NCAC Project Grant Selection Committee.