MISSION:
Mission: AOCA is a bridge-building initiative that advances cultural ambassadorship and works to dismantle systemic barriers in the arts. By creating Arts Opportunities that build Capacity and provide Access, we strengthen Greater Hartford’s creative economy and expand pathways for artists to thrive.
Vision: We envision Greater Hartford as a nationally recognized community that cultivates, produces, and exports cutting-edge arts and culture.
AOCA is an initiative of The 224 EcoSpace [www.The224.org] a social enterprise of The Conference of Churches 224 Farmington Avenue Hartford, CT 06105.
AOCA works to engage and elevate the practices of homegrown creatives.
AOCA, a program of The 224 EcoSpace (a social enterprise of The Conference of Churches), is an extension of our mission to create and elevate community spaces for arts and culture. Made possible by a generous grant from the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation (formerly Hartford Foundation for Public Giving) in partnership with the Artists of Color Unite!’ advisory group, AOCA provides professional development training and partners artists-who serve as fellows with arts organizations with whom they develop collaborative artistic ventures of community significance.
The AOCA fellowship connects artists from a full spectrum of creative disciplines (visual, theater, dance, music, etc.) with arts organizations to develop collaborative artistic ventures of community significance. Tasked with co-creating a unique individual project highlighting their abilities with the organization they are paired with, the fellows receive support for professional and business development, and financial support for their venture. With these tools, the AOCA empowers fellows and the Greater Hartford arts community to be cultural ambassadors whose work contributes to the elevation of Greater Hartford as a distinct arts and culture center despite systemic barriers.
AOCA would not be possible without the support of our local arts community, generous sponsorships, donations, and contributions of time and energy from the team at The 224 EcoSpace, our instructors, guest presenters, and funders who believe in this mission. Thank you to our supporters, past and present.
