Avon Theatre, Bartlett Arboretum Get State Funds To Upgrade Facilities

STAMFORD, CT — Two beloved Stamford staples recently received state funds for upgrades and improvements at their respective facilities.

The Avon Theatre Film Center, located at 272 Bedford St., will get $500,000 to reconfigure its existing layout to create a smaller, more intimate auditorium that will be utilized for film-making classes, poetry slams, niche films and other activities.

The Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens, which is at 151 Brookdale Road, will also get $500,000 to replace their greenhouse with a modern, state-of-the-art greenhouse, which will be used to create and host a wide range of exhibits and programming.

The money is being released under the state's Good to Great Grant Program, which is co-administered by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) and CT Humanities. It was established in 2014 with a goal of helping nonprofit arts, cultural, or history organizations enhance visitors’ experiences in engaging, meaningful, and relevant ways.

In total, more than $7 million in state grants are being handed out to 34 cultural and historic sites statewide, according to an announcement from Gov. Ned Lamont's office.

"As one of the oldest states in the nation, Connecticut has many unique cultural and historic sites that not only share the history of our state but also provide avenues for that culture to continue into today, Lamont said in a news release. "I’m glad that we can release this state funding and get it into the hands of these nonprofit organizations, who will use these grants to maintain and enhance the valuable services they provide to residents and visitors to our state."

Liz Shapiro, director of arts, preservation and museums at DECD, said the competitive program recognizes organizations that devote time and energy to planning strategies to improve the visitor experience.

"These funds have been awarded to organizations of all sizes who demonstrate deep thinking about who they are as organizations, and what they could be if granted access to capital funding," Shapiro said in a news release. "I’m so proud that DECD is a funding partner for this outstanding group of projects."

For more information on the Good to Great Grant Program, click here.