New Milford Arts Commission Approves $3K For Projects, Considers Arts Coordinator Position

NEW MILFORD, CT — The New Milford Commission on the Arts unanimously approved $2,950 in funding for four arts projects Oct. 14, including a winter concert, a school mural and advertising for an art exhibition.

Commissioners also discussed creating a town arts coordinator position, which would require additional funding and Town Council consideration.

The largest appropriation will support performers for a winter concert scheduled for Jan. 17, 2027, at First Congregational Church.

Winter Concert Planned For January

The commission approved $1,500 for performers at the proposed winter concert featuring the Afro-Semitic Experience.

Dan Martin, representing First Congregational Church, attended the meeting to discuss arrangements for the event.

Commissioners discussed holding the concert from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 17, the day before Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The proposed event could include artwork by local high school students reflecting civil rights or community unity.

Commission Chair Lou Mandler also plans to discuss naming the concert "Unity in the Community," after one of the band's songs.

School Mural And Art Projects Receive Funding

Commissioners approved a conditional $500 contribution toward a "Be Kind" mural at John Pettibone School.

The project has an estimated total cost of $12,000, with a $6,000 matching contribution available through Sustainable CT.

According to the meeting minutes, organizers had raised $400 toward the remaining $6,000 as of Oct. 14.

The commission's contribution is contingent on organizers raising $5,100 by Nov. 15.

The commission also unanimously approved $750 for newspaper advertising to promote an art show at the Merwinsville Hotel.

Commissioners discussed the frequency of funding requests from the organization and asked for a history of its previous commission funding.

A separate $200 contribution was approved for a Girl Scouts project that had been discussed at earlier meetings but could not previously be voted on because of a lack of quorum.

The commission postponed consideration of a $500 request from Tricia Aquilar for a free public event called "Once Upon a Lullaby." Mandler plans to invite the applicant to a future meeting to answer commissioners' questions.

Town Arts Coordinator Position Discussed

Mandler reported meeting with Mayor Pete Bass to discuss the commission's authority under the New Milford Town Charter to employ an arts coordinator.

She said she had researched comparable positions in Danbury, Bristol and Middletown, where some arts coordinator roles began as part-time positions before expanding.

Potential responsibilities in New Milford could include maintaining an arts calendar and website, coordinating community partnerships, promoting local arts organizations, assisting with permits and providing administrative support.

Commissioners discussed developing a proposal for Town Council consideration.

The position would require an increase in the commission's budget. No formal proposal or hiring authorization was approved.

Carol Sing Scheduled For Dec. 12

Commissioners also continued preparations for the annual Carol Sing, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 12.

Organizers discussed adding eight songs to the program, preparing new songbooks and improving lighting for children's singing groups.

The commission agreed to position two groups of child singers on opposite sides of the bandstand.

Members also discussed using LED candles or lanterns to improve visibility and safety on the stairway.

Arts Organizations Report Upcoming Events

Representatives of local arts organizations provided updates on exhibitions and programs.

The Merwinsville Hotel reported receiving a $6,900 matching grant from the Charles Barlow Fund through Preservation Connecticut toward gutter replacement. The project cost increased to approximately $18,000 after additional problems were discovered.

The hotel also reported plans for an art show featuring more than 70 artists and craftspeople.

TheatreWorks New Milford reported an upcoming staged reading of a new play by Diana Canova. The commission also discussed a letter supporting TheatreWorks' application for a $20,000 planning grant involving its historic building.

Gallery 25 reported an upcoming exhibition reception and silent auction.

The Village Center for the Arts announced an after-school arts program for children ages 8 to 14 at 12 Main St..

The program runs Tuesday through Friday and costs $99 for the 2026-27 school year, with sibling and family discounts available. Additional information is available at the Village Center for the Arts website.

Commission Reviews Budget And Grant Procedures

The commission reported an annual budget of $39,600, with $9,697 spent to date, $2,000 committed to RiverFest and a remaining balance of $27,903.

Commissioners also reviewed an updated grant application and discussed requiring recipients to submit reports after completing funded projects.

The reports would help commissioners track changes to projects and determine whether unused funding should be returned.

The commission unanimously approved its September meeting minutes with an amendment.

All recorded motions passed unanimously, although numerical vote counts were not provided.