Milford Fine Arts Council Building to Undergo Upgrades

Milford lawmakers joined the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development to announce a grant for the Milford Arts Council (MAC). Senator Slossberg advocated for the approval of this funding, which will be used to improve MAC’s presence in downtown Milford.

“The Milford Arts Council has been a cultural lynchpin helping to further the expansion and success of downtown Milford,” said Senator Gayle Slossberg in a prepared statement. “The grant will not only help MAC continue their mission of fostering artistic and cultural opportunities in our community, but also serves as an important economic development initiative. The MAC improvements will help increase foot traffic in the downtown area, encouraging people who come for a MAC program to also visit the restaurants and other local businesses.”

“The Milford Arts Council (MAC) is very excited for this opportunity to reinvest in our facility; showcasing its potential and driving stronger awareness of our venue, programs and services to local businesses and the public. Through creation of artistic and informative signage, venue renovations and improvements, MAC will increase our patrons’ and performers’ enjoyment and experience. And along with downtown businesses and community leaders, the MAC is proud to be leading an economic development initiative for our joint success. We have called the Milford Center for the Arts home for 20 years this September, what a way to celebrate an important anniversary and give back to the community we serve,” said Paige Miglio, Executive Director of the Milford Arts Council.

The grant will be used to make a number of enhancements to the MAC headquarters, as well as the installation of three information kiosk towers around downtown Milford. The installation of information kiosks and outdoor playbill poster locations will provide visitors with information on city-wide events, MAC programs, and walking maps. By working with local economic and civic groups, MAC designed these improvements to attract visitors local businesses and community events as well as its own productions.

The Milford Arts Council hosts numerous cultural events throughout the year, including Community Theater, live music concerts, exhibits, classes, films and lectures. MAC is headquartered in a restored civil war era building, which is listed in the National Historic Register. The facility offers a theater with seating for up to 110 people, as well as exhibition areas and classrooms.

State Reps. Pam Staneski (R-119) and Charles Ferraro (R-117) also hailed the announcement by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) that it will provide $1,990,386 in grants to 20 nonprofit organizations that sponsor cultural and historic sites in the state, including one for the Milford Arts Council (MAC), which will receive a $60,000 state grant.

Through the Good to Great Program, administered by DECD’s Offices of Arts and Historic Preservation, grants are being awarded to eligible organizations that promote science, art, culture, or the history of Connecticut.

Staneski said, “I want to thank the state DECD for this grant for the Milford Arts Council. The MAC does so much for the Milford community, especially on the cultural and educational front.”

Ferraro said, “State investment in our arts is imperative. The Milford Arts Council supports students through mini-grants, a yearly scholarship through the Chamber of Commerce and mentorship to further artistic exposure, experience and education.”

The Milford Arts Council (MAC) Center for the Arts is a beautifully restored civil war era building and is on the National Historic Register. Every year the MAC presents community theatre, live music concerts with international, regional and local talent, exhibitions, classes, workshops, films and lectures.

The Milford Arts Council is one of 20 nonprofit cultural or historical organizations receiving grants through the state’s Good to Great Program. Good to Great was created in 2014 to fund improvements that will significantly enhance cultural and historic sites and the way people enjoy them. Specifically, the program targets smaller and mid-sized cultural organizations that have received limited state funding in the past. Funding can be used for a variety of activities, including construction, exhibit design and installation, planning and marketing.

“Connecticut has a rich cultural history. By making these investments, we’re ensuring that our museums and other cultural sites remain unique, world-class places to visit and become much more compelling experiences for visitors,” Governor Malloy said. “Connecticut is an incredible place to live and visit – and we’re working hard today so that our state has an even brighter future tomorrow.”

“Interest in the program was very strong, as DECD received 46 applications. From those we had to choose the strongest projects that fit our criteria,” said Catherine Smith, Commissioner of DECD. “DECD is prioritizing funding for projects that demonstrate a clear vision of how individual sites and organizations can improve the customer experience, effectively tie together local, regional or statewide cultural assets, and promote more visitors. Our state’s commitment to assisting communities in leveraging their cultural assets is core to the new Good to Great pilot program.”

“DECD believes strongly in enabling local arts and cultural leaders to identify the right path forward for their treasured cultural assets,” noted Kristina Newman-Scott, Director of Culture for DECD. “Good to Great assists thoughtful local leaders to move forward with projects that transform the experiences of their visitors and underscore the importance of arts and culture to the state’s future.”