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Excellence in the Arts Grants is sponsored by Roberts Foundation. Supports the creation, presentation, and performance of works of art by funding exceptional aesthetic experiences that reflect, celebrate, and elevate the human spirit. The program is designed to sustain the vitality of the Hartford arts community.
Geographic focus: Hartford County, Connecticut
Focus areas: Arts, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Culture
Official opportunity description and requirements excerpt:
Excellence In the Arts | Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation History of the Foundation Visual Artist Compensation Policy Visual Artist Compensation Policy From its Gilded Age to present day, Hartford’s arts community has created a quality of life that resonates throughout the Capitol Region. Ned and Sunny Roberts recognized how important the arts are to maintaining the vitality of their beloved city, and 60 years ago created a foundation that would ensure Hartford’s rich cultural heritage thrived for generations. Today the foundation is unique in its commitment to support the arts for arts’ sake, and to achieve this mission, the organization seeks to fund exceptional aesthetic experiences that reflect, celebrate and elevate the human spirit. For first time applicants, the executive director may wish to schedule a site visit. For particularly large requests ($25,000 or more), it is recommended that the initial contact be made well in advance of the application. In these cases, a short (one to two page) project description may be requested prior to submission of a full application. A post grant report for your most recent Roberts Foundation grant must be on file before we will consider another proposal. If you have not sent in your final report, you may submit it as an attachment to your application. In regard to Excellence in the Arts grants, the foundation limits funding to organizations located in Hartford County, and gives priority to arts nonprofits in the following cities and towns: Hartford, Bloomfield, East Hartford, Farmington, New Britain, Newington, South Windsor, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor Organizations located in towns contiguous to these may be considered, but are advised to discuss their application with the executive director prior to submission. Only organizations that are exempt from Federal income tax under provision 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code may apply Organizations are limited to one application per calendar year unless advised differently by executive director The foundation must have received a final report on any previous grant before a new request will be considered After several successive years of grants, an organization may be requested to take a year off Requests for endowment, general operating, scholarships, or requests from individuals Projects that have already occurred or are underway at the time the board considers the application (see below for meeting dates) Events or activities that will occur within 90 days of the application due date Proposals that use a fiscal agent or a pass-through organization Proposals from public schools or school foundations. Your application to the foundation should
Application snapshot: target deadline May 1, 2026; published funding information Not specified; eligibility guidance 501(c)(3) arts organizations located in Hartford County, Connecticut, with priority given to those in Hartford, Bloomfield, East Hartford, Farmington, New Britain, Newington, South Windsor, West Hartford, Wethersfield, and Windsor.
Use the official notice and source links for final requirements, attachment checklists, allowable costs, and submission instructions before applying.
Extracted from the official opportunity page/RFP to help you evaluate fit faster.
Excellence In the Arts | Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation History of the Foundation Visual Artist Compensation Policy Visual Artist Compensation Policy From its Gilded Age to present day, Hartford’s arts community has created a quality of life that resonates throughout the Capitol Region.
Ned and Sunny Roberts recognized how important the arts are to maintaining the vitality of their beloved city, and 60 years ago created a foundation that would ensure Hartford’s rich cultural heritage thrived for generations.
Today the foundation is unique in its commitment to support the arts for arts’ sake, and to achieve this mission, the organization seeks to fund exceptional aesthetic experiences that reflect, celebrate and elevate the human spirit. For first time applicants, the executive director may wish to schedule a site visit.
For particularly large requests ($25,000 or more), it is recommended that the initial contact be made well in advance of the application. In these cases, a short (one to two page) project description may be requested prior to submission of a full application. A post grant report for your most recent Roberts Foundation grant must be on file before we will consider another proposal.
If you have not sent in your final report, you may submit it as an attachment to your application.
In regard to Excellence in the Arts grants, the foundation limits funding to organizations located in Hartford County, and gives priority to arts nonprofits in the following cities and towns: Hartford, Bloomfield, East Hartford, Farmington, New Britain, Newington, South Windsor, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor Organizations located in towns contiguous to these may be considered, but are advised to discuss their application with the executive director prior to submission.
Only organizations that are exempt from Federal income tax under provision 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code may apply Organizations are limited to one application per calendar year unless advised differently by executive director The foundation must have received a final report on any previous grant before a new request will be considered After several successive years of grants, an organization may be requested to take a year off Requests for endowment, general operating, scholarships, or requests from individuals Projects that have already occurred or are underway at the time the board considers the application (see below for meeting dates) Events or activities that will occur within 90 days of the application due date Proposals that use a fiscal agent or a pass-through organization Proposals from public schools or school foundations.
Your application to the foundation should be initiated with a telephone call or email to the executive director to discuss the proposed project. For first time applicants, the executive director may wish to schedule a site visit. Applications are considered quarterly.
2026 deadlines include: Applications should be submitted with required attachments by 11:59 p. m. on the deadline date.
The board will meet on the following dates in 2025: Organizations will be notified of the board’s decision shortly after the meeting. DOWNLOAD THE INSTRUCTIONS AS A PDF You will be asked to answer the following questions: Organization’s IRS Tax Identification Number What is the organization’s mission/vision statement? Project Description including activity details, dates, venue, admission fees and attendance goals.
How will you promote/market the project? How will Roberts Foundation support be recognized? What is your organization’s definition of artistic excellence?
How does this project align with that definition, and how does it advance your mission? How will your audience and the community benefit from this project? How will the project be evaluated?
You will be asked to attach the following documents: Cover Letter – on organization letterhead with official address and signed by your executive director or board President IRS 501(c)3 Determination Letter ‡ Financial Statement or Audit ‡ Previous Year Operational Budget ‡ Current Year Operational Budget Annual Report (if your organization produces one) Strategic Plan (if your organization has one) Final Report (if not yet submitted) Items marked ‡ are NOT required for current grantees applying for $5,000 or less.
However, these applicants will be asked to detail any significant changes to the organization’s structure, leadership, board, strategic direction or mission. Only applications submitted using our online application will be considered. Materials delivered, mailed or emailed to the foundation will not be considered.
In keeping with its commitment to Excellence in the Arts, the foundation is establishing a Visual Artist Compensation Policy to ensure that visual artists are fairly compensated for their work as are artists in the other genres we fund. As of February 1, 2022, all applicant organizations must disclose how featured visual artists will be financially compensated.
In addition, the foundation will encourage applicant organizations to allocate Roberts’ funding towards visual artist compensation. We believe this policy will elevate the quality of work presented as well as the artistic experience for all. The Roberts Foundation’s new Visual Artist Compensation Policy: All living visual artists must be compensated as part of the venue’s program budget as submitted with the application.
Roberts’ funding may not be used to compensate the estates or trusts of deceased artists. Compensation will not be required for artists whose work has been previously purchased and is on loan for an exhibit from a museum or private collection. Artists must be compensated regardless of the opportunity to sell their work.
A presenting venue may not consider expenses such as framing, shipping, insurance, posters, printed catalog, etc. as compensation. In addition, support services such as marketing, hospitality and hanging a show are not to be considered compensation.
As of 2022, Roberts will focus funding on professional visual artists and/or those with a documented history of producing the highest quality work. In keeping with our policy in regards to performing arts, we will not fund “beginners,” students or community projects. Applications must include digital images of the artists’ work to be considered.
Roberts will not fund juried shows where artists must pay an entry fee to be considered. This compensation policy does not extend to touring shows where the contractual arrangement predates application to the foundation. However, if the board believes that the artists in such a show are not being properly compensated or recognized, it may decide to not fund the exhibition.
As part of its application, The Roberts Foundation will ask if an organization has a visual artist compensation policy, and if so, to detail the policy. If an artist voluntarily defers a fee or donate works for a Roberts-funded event, the foundation will require the organization to issue an official acknowledgement stating the appropriate value for the artist to use for tax purposes.
If an arts organization chooses not to compensate artists appropriately, the board may elect to decline their application. If an organization can demonstrate why it cannot accommodate appropriate compensation, the board may renegotiate the grant amount in order to fund appropriate artist compensation. Appropriate compensation may vary between solo shows and group exhibitions.
The foundation, at this time, will not specify an exact amount of compensation and will allow venues to determine fair and reasonable compensation commensurate with the artist’s experience, number of works on view, standing in the market, etc. Please review our grant guidelines and procedures before submitting your application to ensure that your organization qualifies for funding.
Review the list of application questions and the required attachments and be prepare d to provide all of the information requested. Click here to print a PDF of the application questions and required attachments. Complete and submit the post grant report form.
You must attach the final budget to actuals for the project. After submitting your final report the system will generate a confirmation email with a code. This code is required to complete your application.
You may send playbills or other collateral material related to the project to our mailing address. Eligible organizations are invited to submit applications for the Excellence in the Arts Grants Program. Please review our guidelines and procedures of each grant before submitting your application.
After your application is reviewed for completeness, it will be evaluated by the board at its next quarterly board meeting. Organizations will be notified of the board’s decision shortly after the meeting. Please review our grant guidelines and procedures before submitting your application to ensure that your organization qualifies for funding.
Review the list of application questions and the required attachments and be prepare d to provide all of the information requested. Click here to print a PDF of the application questions and required attachments. Complete and submit the post grant report form.
You must attach the final budget to actuals for the project. After submitting your final report the system will generate a confirmation email with a code. This code is required to complete your application.
You may send playbills or other collateral material related to the project to our mailing address. Eligible organizations are invited to submit applications for the Excellence in the Arts Grants Program. Please review our guidelines and procedures of each grant before submitting your application.
After your application is reviewed for completeness, it will be evaluated by the board at its next quarterly board meeting. Organizations will be notified of the board’s decision shortly after the meeting. Because the foundation limits funding to 501(c)3 arts organizations located in specific communities in Hartford County, we ask that all applicants complete the following eligibility quiz before continuing.
Using the Save and Continue Function If you cannot complete the application in one session, you may save the form and return at a later date to finish it. To save the form, click “Save and Continue Later. ” This will generate a link that you can copy and save, or if you add your email address (recommended), the link will be emailed to you.
This link will work for 30 days and will save your progress. You may use the Save and Continue Later function only once. You must complete the application on your return visit.
The purpose of the final report is to account for the use of the foundation’s funds and to provide the foundation with information as to the success of the project. It is generally expected that organizations will execute and complete their Excellence in the Arts projects within 12 months of receipt of the grant. Upon completion of the project, a final report must be submitted.
No further applications will be considered by the foundation until the project is completed and a final report has been submitted. In addition to answering the questions in the reporting form below, you must attach the originally-proposed budget and actuals (revenue and expenses). You may send playbills, programs, brochures or other collateral material related to the project to our mailing address.
Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival Funding to support the 2024 Festival concerts Amistad Center for Art & Culture Funding to support Yoruba World exhibition Funding to support the Spring 2025 production The Bushnell Performing Arts Center Funding to support a Local Art Stage digital production Funding to support the 2024 Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival Funding to support the Artists of Color Accelerate Fellowship Connecticut Chopin Competition Funding to support the 15th Annual Chopin International Piano Competition Connecticut Choral Artists Funding to support two concerts featuring An American Requiem Connecticut Museum of Culture & History Funding to support the 2024 Dia de Muertos Community Celebration and 2025 Lunar New Year Celebration Funding to support the 2024 Connecticut Summerfest Festival Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra Funding to support the 2024/2025 Performance Season CREC/Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Funding to support the 2024 Choreographers’ Showcase Funding to support Unsilenced, a new work by Arson Fahim Elizabeth Park Conservatory Funding to support the 2024 Summer Concert Series Funding to support Hartford Bonanza 2024 and First Night 2025 Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz Funding to support the 2024 Jazz Festival Funding to support the production of Jimmy & Lorraine: A Musing Funding to support Vox Feminae concert Funding to support the dance production, oldest daughter Funding to support the 2024 Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz Series Funding to support 2024/2025 Education Residencies/Artists of Color Funding to support the production of Two Trains Running Hartford Symphony Orchestra Funding to support the 2024/2025 Masterworks Season Funding to support the Cassatt-Degas exhibition research Funding to support two 2025 concerts New Britain Museum of American Art Funding to support The Land Carries My Ancestors exhibition Funding to support 2024 Night Fall production Funding to support the 2024 CT LGBTQ Film Festival Funding to support the 2024/2025 Mainstage Series Funding to support the 2024 Hartbeat Festival Funding to support the production of Sandra Funding to support the production of Midsummer Night’s Dream University of Hartford/Hartford Art School Funding to support Human Marks: Tattooing in Contemporary Art exhibition Funding to support the Connecticut River & Roots Festival Women Composers Festival of Hartford Funding to support 2025 Women Composers Festival of Hartford Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival Funding to support the 2023 Festival Funding to support The Nutcracker Bushnell Park Conservancy Funding to support Tao LaBossiere Sculpture The Bushnell Performing Arts Center Funding to support Jazzicians Funding to support the 2023 Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival Connecticut Chopin Competition Funding to support the 15th Annual Chopin International Piano Competition Connecticut Choral Artists Funding to support The Magnificat in D and The Love Between Us concert Connecticut Guitar Society Funding to support the 2023 Concert Series Connecticut Historical Society Funding to support Summer Concert Series and Lunar New Year Celebration Funding to support the 2023 Connecticut Summerfest Festival Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra Funding to support the 2023/2024 Performance Season CREC/Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Funding to support the 2023 Choreographers’ Showcase Elizabeth Park Conservatory Funding to support the 2023 Summer Concert Series Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz Funding to support the 2023 Jazz Festival Funding to support the production of Possessing Harriet Funding to support J’Adore Faure concert Funding to support the 2023 Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz Series Funding to support 2023/2024 Education Residencies/Artists of Color Funding to support the production of The Hot Wing Kings Hartford Symphony Orchestra Funding to support the 2023/2024 Masterworks Season Funding to support the Cassatt-Degas exhibition research Funding to support the Roberts Theater 50th Anniversary Production Mark Twain House & Museum Funding to support Anne Cubberly’s creation of a Mark Twain Puppet Funding to support the 2024 Concert Season Funding to support 2023 Night Fall production Funding to support the 2023 CT LGBTQ Film Festival Funding to support the 202/32024 Mainstage Series Funding to support the Millennial Apartment Mural Funding to support the production of Clyde’s Funding to support the production of As You Like It Funding to support Joy!
200 Years of Trinity, Hartford and the Performing Arts Funding to support I Am Hartford multimedia production Funding to support the Styling Identities exhibition Women Composers Festival of Hartford Funding to support 2024 Women Composers Festival of Hartford Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival Funding to support An Organ Extravaganza concert Funding to support The Nutcracker The Bushnell Performing Arts Center Funding to support Jazzicians Funding to support the 2022 Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival Funding to support the African American Film Directors Series Connecticut Chopin Competition Funding to support the 14th Annual Chopin International Piano Competition Connecticut Choral Artists Funding to support Feel the Spirit: The Legacy of Moses Hogan concert Connecticut Guitar Society Funding to support the 2022 All Star Concert Series Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra Funding to support the 2022/2023 Performance Season CREC/Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Funding to support the 2022 Choreographers’ Showcase Funding to support Bridges concert series Elizabeth Park Conservatory Funding to support three summer 2022 concerts Funding to support Hartford Bonanza and First Night Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz Funding to support the 2022 Jazz Festival Funding to support The Music of David Hurd & Margaret Bonds concert Hartford Dance Collective Funding to support Yesterday dance production Funding to support the 2022 Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz Series Funding to support 2022/2023 Education Residencies/Artists of Color Funding to support three ArtWalk exhibitions Funding to support production of Trouble in Mind Hartford Symphony Orchestra Funding to support the 2022/2023 Masterworks Season Funding to support the publication of Alfred Pope: An Evolution of Ingenuity Justice Dance Performance Project Funding to support In the Presence of Trees dance production Funding to support The Roberts Theater 50th Anniversary Concert Funding to support the 2022/2023 Concert Season Funding to support 2022 Night Fall production Funding to support the 2022 CT LGBTQ Film Festival Funding to support the 2022/2023 Mainstage Series Funding to support The 2022/2023 Real Awards and Exhibitions Funding to support the 2022 Hartbeat Festival Sonia Plumb Dance Company Funding to support The Pearl dance production Funding to support Fun Home Funding to support the Fredrick Douglass exhibition Funding to support Norman Malone’s travel expenses to attend For the Left Hand documentary and concert Women Composers Festival of Hartford Funding to support 2023 Women Composers Festival of Hartford Funding to support the 2021 Jackie McLean Memorial Celebration Funding to support The Nutcracker Funding to support the 2021 Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival Connecticut Chopin Competition Funding to support the 13th Annual Chopin International Piano Competition Connecticut Choral Artists Funding to support The Hebrew Prayer in B Minor Connecticut Historical Society Funding to support for Dia de los Mertos performances Funding to support the Kinsmen Sound Studio Production Support Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra Funding to support the 2021/2022 Performance Season Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz, Inc.
Funding to support the 2021 Jazz Festival Harriet Beecher Stowe Center Funding to support Judy Dworin’s presentation of Emergence Funding to support the 2021 Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz Series Funding to support 2021/2022 Education Programs/Artists of Color Funding to support Angry, Raucous and Shamelessly Gorgeous Hartford Symphony Orchestra Funding to support the 2021/2022 Masterworks Season Funding to support the 2021/2022 Concert Season New Britain Museum of American Art Funding to support 30 Americans exhibition Funding to support 2021 Night Fall production Funding to support the 2021 CT LGBTQ Film Festival Funding to support the 2021 Connecticut Shakespeare Festival Funding to support The Real Awards and Exhibitions Funding to support Surround Space art installation Funding to support Asylum Avenue Mural Funding to support the 2021 Hartbeat Festival The Bushnell Performing Arts Center Funding to support Jazzicians Funding to support Zoeys Perfect Wedding Funding to support Romeo and Juliet University of Hartford/Hartford Art School Funding to support African American Art History Course Women Composers Festival of Hartford Funding to support 2022 Women Composers Festival of Hartford Funding to support Bringing Art to Life Capital Campaign – final installment Funding to support the 2020 Jackie McLean Memorial Celebration Funding to support Aladdin Funding to support its annual Shakespeare production – As You Like It Charter Oak Cultural Center Funding to support two children’s theater productions Connecticut Chopin Competition Funding to support the 12th Annual Chopin International Piano Competition Connecticut Choral Artists Funding to support the 2020/2021 Mainstage Concert Series Connecticut Guitar Society Funding to support 2020/2021 Women and Their Guitar Concert Series Connecticut Historical Society Funding to support Offrenda video for Dia de los Mertos Funding to support the International Contemporary Ensemble residency Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra Funding to support the 2020/2021 Performance Season CREC/Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Funding to support the 2020 Choreographers’ Showcase Elizabeth Park Conservancy Funding to support two summer concerts Funding to support artist performances Funding to support virtualization info sessions and workshops Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz, Inc.
Funding to support the 2020 Jazz Festival Funding to support Handel’s Messiah!
concert Funding to support the 2020 Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz Series Funding to support New in November Funding to support 2020/2021 Education Programs Funding to support 2021 production Hartford Symphony Orchestra Funding to support the 2020/2021 Masterworks Season Judy Dworin Performance Project Funding to support Colorfields Dance Performance at NBMAA Funding to support the 2020/2021 Concert Season New Britain Museum of American Art Funding to support Some Day Is Now: Women, Art & Social Change exhibition New Britain Symphony Orchestra Funding to support the Spring Main Stage Concert Funding to support 2020 Night Fall production Funding to support the 2020 CT LGBTQ Film Festival Funding to support a Hartford Pop Up Mural Day Funding to support the 2020 Hartbeat Festival Funding to support Cellobration!
Funding to support the 2021 summer production Funding to support Let’s Dance: A Season of Celebrating Dance & Movement Funding to support Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion Training Funding to support Bus Shelter Murals Funding to support 80 @ 80: The Artwork of Phyllis Small Funding to support Bringing Art to Life Capital Campaign Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival Funding to support the 22nd annual Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival Funding to support Sleeping Beauty Bushnell Center for Performing Arts Funding to support the Jazzicians program Funding to support the restoration of the Israel Putnam Statue Funding to support its annual Shakespeare production – Merry Wives of Windsor Charter Oak Cultural Center Funding to support two children’s theater productions Funding to support the 2019/2020 Concert Season Funding to support the 2019 Bushnell Performance Connecticut Blues Society Funding to support 2019 Guitar Under the Stars Connecticut Chopin Competition Funding to support the 11th Annual Chopin International Piano Competition Connecticut Choral Artists Funding to support the 2019/2020 Great Performances Concert Series Connecticut Guitar Society Funding to support 2019/2020 Guitar Masters Series Funding to support the Quince Ensemble Residency Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra Funding to support the 2019/2020 Concert & Opera Season CREC/Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Funding to support the 2019 Choreographers’ Showcase Funding to support the Sounds of Persia concert Funding to support two Nat Reeves performances Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz, Inc.
Funding to support the 2019 Jazz Festival Funding to support Christmas in the Americas concert Hartford Independent Chamber Orchestra Funding to support the Hartt Connections 2 concert Funding to support the 2019 Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz Series Funding to support New in November Funding to support 2019/2020 Education Programs Funding to support three 2019 ArtWalk Exhibitions Funding to support Quixote Nuevo and Community Outreach Programs Hartford Symphony Orchestra Funding to support the 2019/2020 Masterworks Season Judy Dworin Performance Project Funding to support She Speaks Her Peace Funding to support the 2019/2020 Concert Series New Britain Museum of American Art Funding to support The Beyond: Georgia O’Keeffe and Contemporary Artists exhibition Funding to support 2019 Night Fall production Funding to support the 2019/2020 Main Stage season Funding to support Hartbeat Festival Sonia Plumb Dance Company Funding to support its production of Penelope’s Odyssey Funding to support the production of Fun Home Funding to support Alwin Nikolais: A Touchstone for Creativity Funding to support Where Are the Women?
exhibition Funding to support Self Preservation: An Artist’s Selfe exhibition Women Composers Festival of Hartford Funding to support the 2019 Women Composer Festival
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: 501(c)(3) arts organizations located in Hartford County, Connecticut, with priority given to those in Hartford, Bloomfield, East Hartford, Farmington, New Britain, Newington, South Windsor, West Hartford, Wethersfield, and Windsor. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Not specified Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is May 1, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
