The Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) is proud to bring back the Arts Workforce Initiative (AWI) Program! Twenty-nine (29) individuals between the ages of 18-40, including two veterans, and 25 host organizations will participate in the FY2018 AWI program!

The Arts Workforce Initiative (AWI) is a paid, 10-week, internship opportunity for Connecticut college students, emerging arts professionals and military veterans at Connecticut not-for-profit arts and cultural organizations. Selected host organizations receive a grant in the amount of $3,750 per intern and use 100% of the funds to pay interns at a rate of $15 per hour for a total of 250 hours. Internships take place from June 4, 2018 through August 17, 2018.

The Arts Workforce Initiative launched in 2017 as a pilot program placing twelve (12) interns in eleven (11) arts organizations across the State of Connecticut. Due to the enormous success of the pilot program, COA more than doubled the number of intern placements, expanded the opportunity to military veterans and opened the opportunity to be a host organization to all Connecticut not-for-profit arts and cultural organizations that could provide a hands-on and engaging internship in the arts.

AWI is a competitive program that selects individuals who have a strong alignment with COA's R.E.A.D.I Framework (Relevance, Equity, Access, Diversity, Inclusion), which comes directly from COA’s 2017-2021 Strategic Plan . COA is committed to the continuation and expansion of the AWI program and will seek additional ways to engage diverse individuals from marginalized communities.

For more information about the program contact AWI Program Manager Adriane Jefferson at [email protected]
MEET THE AWI INTERNS!

ADIS HALILOVIC , Middletown
Wesleyan University

Host Organization:

AMAKA SUNNY-EDUPUTA , Mansfield Center
Eastern Connecticut State University

Host Organization:
AMBER SCHEER , Norwich
Institute for Advanced Media @ Connecticut Public Broadcasting
* Military Veteran *

Host Organization:

ANDREINA DEJESUS , Wethersfield
Eastern Connecticut State University

Host Organization:
ANGEL BLEGGI , Seymour
Eastern Connecticut State University

Host Organization:
Mattatuck Museum , Waterbury

CLIFFTON BAIRD, Harwinton
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Host Organization:

DEAN JAIR ANDRADE , Naugatuck
Housatonic Community College

Host Organization:
DERVE JEAN, Bridgeport
University of Bridgeport

Host Organization:
Stamford Downtown, Stamford

GABRIELLA SANTIAGO , Wethersfield
University of Hartford

Host Organization:
GIANNA DIMAIOLO, Tolland
College of the Holy Cross

Host Organization:
University of Saint Joseph's

IJAH CULBERT , Danielson
Eastern Connecticut State University

Host Organization:

MEGAN SHISKIN, Monroe
Western Connecticut State University

Host Organization:

JETT M. BOSNACK , Bridgeport
University of Bridgeport

Host Organization:
JOSHUA BIBBEY, Woodbury
University of Connecticut

Host Organization:
ASAP!, Washington Depot
JULIEN MATTHEW CLANCY , Sterling
Eastern Connecticut State University
* Military Veteran *

Host Organization:

KIMOLEE COWELL, Hartford
Manchester Community College

Host Organization:

MARGUAX ANCEL, Mansfield
University of Connecticut, The Graduate School

Host Organization:
Mattatuck Museum, Waterbury

MAXIMILLION HEAD, New Britain
Capital Community College

Host Organization:
TheaterWorks, Hartford

MAYA BLAKE , West Hartford
University of Connecticut

Host Organization:

MEGAN DORAN, Chester
Shenandoah University

Host Organization:
Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington

NAJA GRASTY , Hamden
Spelman College

Host Organization:

OLIVIA BALDWIN, Mansfield Center
University of Connecticut

Host Organization:
Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington

RACHEL BONAPARTE , Middletown
University of Hartford

Host Organization:

ROBERTO SANCHEZ, Hartford
Central Connecticut State University

Host Organization:
Hartbeat Ensemble, Hartford

SACHE-GAYE YSANNE MARSHALL , Enfield
Dean College

Host Organization:

VERONICA SANCHEZ , Storrs
University of Connecticut

Host Organization:

YASMINNE MORGAN , Bridgeport
The University of Bridgeport

Host Organization:

MONIQUE ALLEN, Bridgeport
Eastern Connecticut State University

Host Organization:

QUIANA STANLEY , Naugatuck
Eastern Connecticut State University

Host Organization:
Thank you to the host organizations for offering the professional development opportunities to these 29 dynamic individuals!


COA sends best wishes to all the AWI interns!
May you do well and come out with flying colors!
Good Luck! Your future is bright!
For more information about the program, contact AWI Program Manager Adriane Jefferson at [email protected].