Hartford Artists Featured, Art Organizations Recognized for Support of Greater Hartford’s Creative Economy

The Greater Hartford community—including artists, arts supporters, arts and nonprofit organizations—came together this month to celebrate and showcase 10 artist fellows who participated in the 2nd Artists of Color Accelerate (AOCA) program, an initiative of The 224 EcoSpace in Hartford.

Launched in August 2021, the ACOA program was funded by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. The vision was to support an inclusive arts and culture sector in the Hartford Region by building an arts economy featuring local artists of color.

“We are celebrating our 2nd class of fellows - all of whom bring a tremendous amount of talent to the table,” explained Andre Rochester, Artists of Color Accelerate Fellowship Program Manager. “Among the successful collaborations, in Cohort 2 we have documentaries, play readings, workshop series, and one fellow was hired by their host organization. AOCA has proven to be an effective bridge builder for the Greater Hartford arts community.”

"The experiences and opportunities presented at ACOA helped me gain financial opportunities while also re-confirming my duties as an artist and community member,” said Ysanne, a Jazz and Soul Singer. 

"The AOCA Accelerator Program has allowed me to be truly seen by a local arts institution, TheaterWorks Hartford, for the talents and creativity that I possess,” pointed out JOËL Cintron. “Due to this exposure, I've received various employment opportunities that have allowed me to grow as a Creative Entrepreneur in terms of social media management and short-form videography. For my project with TheaterWorks Hartford, I am excited to curate my first public gallery that celebrates my Puerto Rican heritage and educates visitors about the rich culture that is ever-present in this city and state."

Arts venues as well as artists are seeing the benefits of the AOCA initiative.

“TheaterWorks Hartford had a terrific experience working with Andre and the AOCA,” offered Freddie McInerney Director of Marketing and Communications TheaterWorks Hartford.” Our fellow, Joël Cintron, has become a valued TWH team member. Yes, we’ve hired him!  And we’re super excited to partner with him next spring when Joël will program special events and our gallery space in tandem with our production of Sanctuary City.”

"Working in partnership at the AOCA is an incredible experience,” stated Yolande Spears Senior Vice President and Chief Community Impact Officer at The Bushnell. “The Bushnell is grateful to be a host site for the AOCA this year. Our Fellow is Ysanne Marshall, who is a dynamic and talented vocalist.  We are a host site because the work that AOCA is doing is impressive. The values and mission of AOCA are to give the artist a platform to actualize and sustain their vision and goals. That is very powerful."   

The  Artists of Color Accelerate program serves to invite, innovate, and ignite local artists of color and is described as “a bridge-building vehicle of cultural ambassadorship working to dismantle systemic racism in the arts and establish regional artists of color network and economy.” The vision, officials note, “is to make Hartford become known as a community that produces and exports cutting-edge cultural arts.”