Politics & Government
Ridgefield Arts Council Faces Leadership Changes As Three Members Plan Departures
Three Ridgefield Arts Council members plan to leave by year's end as the group prepares for recruitment and 2027 arts programs.
RIDGEFIELD, CT — The Ridgefield Arts Council is preparing for a series of membership and leadership changes after three members announced plans to leave the council by the end of the year.
Co-Chair Colleen Cash told the council at its Sept. 2 meeting that she is expecting her third child and will resign as co-chair and from the council at the end of September. Tracey Bryggman said she and Danielle Roth also plan to resign at the end of December.
The departures prompted a discussion about recruiting and retaining new members, the council's future structure and succession planning.
Council member Pamme Jones, meanwhile, said she had changed her previous plans to resign and will remain on the council.
The council said its co-chair structure has worked effectively. Jennifer Dineen encouraged remaining members interested in serving as a co-chair to come forward. No replacement was selected at the meeting.
Arts Banner Program To Remain Focused On Nonprofits
The council also discussed its 2027 lamp post banner program after the Chamber of Commerce expressed interest in participating.
Members agreed that the program should remain available to existing arts and cultural nonprofit organizations.
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A 2027 submission form has already been drafted and is expected to be distributed to participating organizations within the next few weeks. Members said establishing next year's calendar by mid-fall would help organizations plan and provide clarity about the schedule.
Cultural District Work Continues
The council received an update on Ridgefield's Cultural District Working Group, including the start of the town's participation in the ASCEND Program.
Council Begins Looking Toward 2027
Members began preliminary planning for 2027 events, including Make Music Day.
The council noted that Make Music Day falls on a Monday in 2027 and discussed ways to support the event's continued growth despite its falling on a weekday rather than a weekend. No decisions were recorded.
The council also noted that its fiscal 2027-28 budget request will be due in early December. The meeting agenda had identified the budget, banner schedule, event planning and membership transition as the principal new-business items.
Council Approves Additional Online Storage
In one of the meeting's formal actions, members approved purchasing an additional 100 gigabytes of Google Drive storage for $1.99 per month.
Members also discussed the need to submit receipts promptly to allow timely reimbursement and accurate accounting.
Related: Ridgefield Arts Council Reviews Make Music Day Success, Plans Volunteer Recruitment
The council amended its July meeting minutes to clarify that all fiscal 2025-26 expenses had been submitted by June 30 and then approved the amended minutes. Both motions were approved without opposition recorded.
The Sept. 2 meeting was held at Ridgefield Town Hall, 400 Main St., beginning at 7:21 p.m. Cash, Bryggman, Anna Ciamporcero, Joe Collin, Dineen, Raje Kaur and Jones attended in person. Roth was excused.
The council adjourned at 8:59 p.m. Its next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 7 at 7:15 p.m.
