The Urban Artists Initiative (UAI), a program of the Connecticut Commission on the Arts, Tourism, History, Culture and Film, in partnership with the Institute for Community Research is pleased to present A Toolbox for Funding the Arts on May 1, 2004, 8:30am-4:00pm. The event will take place at ACES/Educational Center for the Arts, 55 Audubon Street, New Haven, CT. "Toolbox for Funding the Arts" is a free participatory training for arts organizations, community-based organizations with arts programming and artists of all disciplines including: visual, literary, film/video, performance and new media artists.

"Fundraising, board development, and grantwriting are often viewed as daunting, but necessary, for arts organizations or individual artists seeking funding, especially in a time of scarce resources." However, at the UAI convening, attendees will participate in lively and thought provoking discussions, hands-on workshops, and will take home ideas that they can apply immediately. Insight gained from seasoned experts at the convening will help attendee's identify opportunities to implement new programs or project ideas, diversify funding streams, enhance board participation, and corporate sponsorship to name a few.

Some of the presenters or panelists for the day's workshops and panels will include: Creative Capital, NY, Rhode Island Foundation, New Haven Savings Bank, and the Small Business Administration will be conducting a workshop on financial planning and entrepreneurship for artists.

In addition, two showcase performances by UAI participant's poet, Claire Zoghb of New Haven and classical Indian dancer, Sonal Vora of Stamford will take place during the convening.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information about the event or the UAI program, contact Maryland Grier, Program Director at 860-278-2044 ext. 228, email: maryland.grier@icrweb.org or Colleen L. Coleman Program Coordinator at 860-278-2044 ext. 310, email: colleen.coleman@icrweb.org .

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The Urban Artists Initiative is a program of the Connecticut Commission on the Arts in partnership with The Institute for Community Research. The program was designed to address the unique needs of emerging urban artists and organizations that produce or present cultural events. The Urban Artists Initiative is funded by the Connecticut Commission on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts, and has received additional grant support from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, and the Waterbury Foundation.

The Connecticut Commission on the Arts, Tourism, Culture, History and Film is a state agency which supports artistic excellence and fosters cultural development through the arts and works to increase public understanding of, participation in, and support of the arts in Connecticut. The Institute for Community Research is an independent non-profit research organization with expertise in fieldwork, training and program administration in multicultural urban and nontraditional settings. The ICR promotes dialogue about the diversity of cultures, community issues and art forms found in Connecticut and New England.