[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6248564,"mediaKeyId","3209920-93af3cbb8cbadd0c7c08380c38be0642","parentId",3209920,"title","Arts commission reviews budget, NEA grant status and program spending priorities","audioSeconds",367,"startMs",4369000,"endMs",4736000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3209920-93af3cbb8cbadd0c7c08380c38be0642&start=4369&end=4736","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3209920-93af3cbb8cbadd0c7c08380c38be0642/thumbnail_4369000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6248564/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Arts-commission-reviews-budget-NEA-grant-status-and-program-spending-priorities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248564-7a59ee1aa91a7eb9e1931aa5e4b58510/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201679&Signature=XveMg3cZbdYEK7h0Px-sRa6TC3jm-KRpXwLobZpalRb4PeZqAbToKoBqbnsOMi04WyCrB~ltAQRz8wfym-njIiNS73cRq1q~EzdvhHplULLHpjqIjO13FOslLDxryK6ytKHn1slEIQkH7lsAISnf~S2Eam7GXgyLaE6-GcffQ0HiYBcZjlu7GhHIDSmtiDPauhovaNhg97PsJphoV7BEG5VDlynqafWrImTF1WGifPyu1K4ogT6xNg2v2urYjm794xbF-UwlzVLfyfhCtAztJ4fAroJVdli7VJl5yziks4aItqewZDKBCPVbDbuR8U0Umz-Sojn-cexNZUTn3RwlfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Norwalk, CT","date","2025-05-07T00:21:51Z","article","During May 6 business, the Norwalk Arts and Cultural Commission reviewed its operating and capital balances and received an update on an outstanding National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant application.

Sabrina (staff member) reported the NEA funding stream referenced in the commission’s application was, \"currently not\" available and that the NEA had defunded the programming line in question; she said previously approved applicants are not being paid back at this time. Commissioners characterized the outlook for that grant as poor unless federal priorities change.

On the commission’s own budgets, staff reported roughly $25,000–$26,000 remained in capital funds and about $8,000 in operating funds, with roughly $10,000 of operating intended to remain for maintenance. Commissioners discussed using operating funds before the fiscal-year deadline (June 30) for small events, mixers and materials for traffic-box painting. The commission noted it could allocate roughly $1,000 stipends for traffic-box painting projects, and staff said there is an existing $5,500 professional-services line plus about $500 for printing that could be used for programming and design work.

Members also discussed program ideas that would use operating funds: paying musicians for Make Music Day ($350 organizational fee was cited as the event registration cost), expanding the People’s Gallery and Mayor’s Gallery rotations, sponsoring open-mic nights and paying stipends for artist-led traffic-box updates. Commissioners asked staff to return cost projections and place any required funding votes on a future agenda.

No formal budget appropriation vote was taken at the meeting; commissioners agreed to pursue specific items and asked staff to bring formal proposals and quotes for consideration at the next meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Norwalk Arts & Culture Commission 05-06-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission reviewed remaining operating and capital funds, learned the NEA grant application is unlikely to be funded, and discussed using remaining operating funds for mixers, traffic-box supplies and artist payments for small projects.","taxTitle","Norwalk City, Fairfield, Connecticut","taxId",4245,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6248569,"Commission discusses Ely Avenue fencing RFQ, favors local artists and plans selection subcommittee",296,3386000,3682000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3209920-93af3cbb8cbadd0c7c08380c38be0642&start=3386&end=3682","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3209920-93af3cbb8cbadd0c7c08380c38be0642/thumbnail_3386000.jpg","/articles/6248569/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Commission-discusses-Ely-Avenue-fencing-RFQ-favors-local-artists-and-plans-selection-subcommittee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248569-b0127a8435f953059f520a3dfb243c61/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201679&Signature=FH0EeYN2hWdew7RYvccN3drd9BL1hzLTkS82fy1riiGlDVzPbMt2EB1RENXmn93~yzuZ54QApndq3Xz1Et92NzfuW-iS0AN1EwCF6Gw055fBHq0qrMQ1ZgjthnIbVkqD6NgTT8Tr7ciTI9OwNAD6k-hg1Dylj9bHV4rT6iD-3qbDeTGZOJzFXs5qTI-vaaUKnKUgzCY1O-FcRUZpyjWkYC-yNJW51myGJ8r9Sv0knDvsvtk7YCgBsGqto1veI2gyPAlM7cjUHcKJbVoiknOwOkkVaJJj-w~Es~f3TfWBs1IUSsj6Jig3nNncWZCjPlYfJz0hKOxIkYOPjnGf4dmO8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Norwalk Arts and Cultural Commission discussed the Ely Avenue fencing RFQ at length on May 6, favoring local, community-engaged artists and agreeing to form a subcommittee to recommend finalists for proposal stipends.

Brian Casper said the project requires community activation and participation in the creation. Commissioners identified several locally based applicants — Jermaine (surname not specified in transcript), FiveFingers, Oksana and Lauren Clayton (Stamford) — and discussed narrowing the field to artists who demonstrate community-participation plans rather than purely studio or large-sculpture practices.

Casper and others said that several out-of-area applicants had portfolios that did not prioritize community engagement and that, given the location’s context near train tracks and an area in transition, the commission wants artists who will involve neighbors in the work. Commissioners agreed the subcommittee should include two city council members (Darlene Young and another council member referenced during the meeting) plus three commission members to be named; that five-person group will interview candidates and recommend artist finalists for stipends.

Kevin Hoffman suggested the commission could consider whether a project might intentionally shape public behavior or foster “prosocial” outcomes given the site’s transitional character; commissioners said that is a useful consideration for the subcommittee to incorporate into artist guidance.

No formal artist was selected at the meeting. Commissioners discussed extending invitations to local groups such as The ArtSpace and encouraging more local applicants; they noted the RFQ can be reopened if needed. Sabrina (staff member) said the subcommittee will review submissions and present recommendations to the full commission.","The commission reviewed submissions to an RFQ for public art on a chain-link fence along Ely Avenue, signaled a preference for hyper-local artists and agreed to form a selection subcommittee that will recommend finalists and stipend recipients.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6248573,"Norwalk Arts and Cultural District narrows branding choices; commission asks designer to refine two directions",2231,1220000,3451000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3209920-93af3cbb8cbadd0c7c08380c38be0642&start=1220&end=3451","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3209920-93af3cbb8cbadd0c7c08380c38be0642/thumbnail_1220000.jpg","/articles/6248573/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Norwalk-Arts-and-Cultural-District-narrows-branding-choices-commission-asks-designer-to-refine-two-directions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248573-fb657882fa27b8498b8e0632c6b94b08/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201679&Signature=DYukcTBQj5pir32wI9Lgj~WFtd6lboyyH3h1n~UDKvZznEvN71MRlwZmdcpvfRTknw~Sss4pObjEI8hiveuRPdBUtBd5yH-O22AZz0dNEZjAAdzGve3uBmURTUazV71Q48yws90D~096AFoyOBXNZICh5nSS7tMhJ-T04uBNDXmU~ljNhcpHvJ8cGo1YmVizcaDf2azugsdPqrS4~cXkyassRF1auuZPVHwGnkqZr-xXB1v7gmayogh3n~y6s0TysnjLyDleGuF0LQlPAdA6bkirnMaxcBs4KP6ut-cimn~~kpWEdTfrUtLEXub9T-ilqWB~hmt1lDCJuIp9K4TFcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Norwalk Arts and Cultural Commission on May 6 reviewed three visual directions for a proposed Norwalk Arts and Cultural District brand and asked consultant Ash Nichols to refine two concepts for further development.

Ash presented three sub-directions within a selected mood board: a geometric, counterform-based system (direction 1); a brick-like, place-based patterning emphasizing the district’s geography (direction 2); and a warm, type-forward option that references local visual cues (direction 3). Commissioners discussed aesthetic trade-offs and possible uses across platforms.

Chair Brian Casper and multiple commissioners said they were drawn to elements in direction 2 for its reference to the district’s physical layout and to direction 3 for color and warmth. After discussion, commissioners agreed to ask Nichols to further develop directions 2 and 3 and to return with refined artwork and a proposal for the additional payment needed to produce the revisions.

Commission member Mark Allen seconded the motion to continue developing two directions. The roll-call vote recorded Brian Casper voting nay and Mark Allen, Bob Abriola, Janae Sylvester, Melissa Matuska and Nori Gruden voting aye; the motion passed by majority (5–1). Sabrina (staff member) and commissioners said the commission would discuss funding for the additional design work at the next meeting after Nichols provides a price for the extra revisions.

Nichols said she will work with commissioners offline to refine the preferred concepts and explore black-and-white proofs and color/pattern extensions; commissioners asked that initial refinements include black-and-white versions so the mark stands on its own before any color exploration. Several commissioners also discussed possible future use of an acronym lockup with a descriptor during rollout so the public understands the term “Arts and Cultural District” while the mark gains recognition.

The commission did not finalize a single design at the meeting; members agreed to an additional round of refinement and a follow-up vote after the designer submits cost and refined proofs.","After reviewing three design directions, the Norwalk Arts and Cultural Commission asked consultant Ash Nichols to refine two preferred concepts (directions 2 and 3) and to provide a cost proposal for additional work; commissioners authorized a small committee to negotiate scope and budget.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6248578,"Norwalk arts commission approves Rowayton Elementary traffic-box mural by fifth-grade artist",689,447000,1136000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3209920-93af3cbb8cbadd0c7c08380c38be0642&start=447&end=1136","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3209920-93af3cbb8cbadd0c7c08380c38be0642/thumbnail_447000.jpg","/articles/6248578/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Norwalk-arts-commission-approves-Rowayton-Elementary-traffic-box-mural-by-fifth-grade-artist","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248578-cac194af8ec265fa994b4c71d955ff69/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201679&Signature=dfilQzxIJlP3OvmA-bdyXZhqltrCdsRZuP8qH9qCohdHIGcwyhjFnSSQI-9eIio1V875npXMfrPnDbcoiQuMOUxc6utHIiSNJFrhFEpXT~Ny54lJWv2WsIsL-5E2NtUccQJhA8sTe-j~Z6EhZ4Ps7ie2uqlgUbSuVk7UeSwDmxUnht~eQ9f76P3CFMIpgk2KiRVSnTNeDH7~LzHHu6X3IqrkXYiyh-ehogrZWFoWpzUZ8qmUk93O6sNMA6N0cETRgI64bvcAWBfV0RweyvCwg3FyGG8golNB8Ipfv8U-uDKcwRKFEFQfwWlg7Ldbl7qCDVT9ZXKLgy2TXXGMrA0I8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Norwalk Arts and Cultural Commission voted unanimously on May 6 to approve a design by fifth-grader Jagger Little for a traffic utility box at Rowayton Elementary School.

The commission’s approval covers the artwork as presented and authorizes the commission to provide paint and guidance on surface preparation and anti-graffiti sealing so the paint will adhere and not peel. Amanda Antunes, a Rowayton Elementary teacher who coordinated the student project, said the commission would supply materials and that she expected multiple fifth-grade students to participate in execution under school supervision.

The decision followed a short presentation in which Jagger described the artwork: “I made it how it is because we’re in Roway, and that’s right next to an ocean or the Long Island Sound, and there’s a lighthouse near Roway,” Jagger said. He told commissioners he chose a sunset so the sky would not visually merge with the water.

Commissioner Melissa Matuska moved to approve the design; Mark Allen seconded the motion. The roll-call vote recorded Brian Casper, Mark Allen, Bob Abriola, Melissa Matuska, Janae Sylvester and Nori Gruden voting aye; the motion passed unanimously.

Sabrina (staff member) explained the administrative steps: she confirmed the box is eligible to be painted, said the commission signs a contract with PMP to formalize approvals, and offered technical assistance to ensure the correct paint system and anti-graffiti clearcoat are used. Bob Abriola, who frequently advises on traffic-box projects, cautioned that older boxes require careful surface prep and sealing to avoid peeling and offered to inspect the box at 1 Rowayton Avenue to confirm condition before painting.

Antunes said she plans to coordinate student participation with Rowayton principal Dr. Cummings and suggested bringing out small groups of students with supervising teachers to add elements of the design toward Jagger’s overall composition.

The commission congratulated Jagger and said staff would follow up with the school on logistics, materials and a maintenance plan.

Budget and timing details for paint and sealing were not finalized at the meeting; commissioners said the commission would provide the paints and assistance and that any additional costs would be covered from the operating budget or a small capital allocation if needed.","The Norwalk Arts and Cultural Commission unanimously approved a student-designed mural for a traffic utility box at Rowayton Elementary, selecting a design by fifth-grader Jagger Little and agreeing to provide paint and technical support for surface preparation and sealing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Arts commission reviews budget, NEA grant status and program spending priorities

Commission discusses Ely Avenue fencing RFQ, favors local artists and plans selection subcommittee

Norwalk Arts and Cultural District narrows branding choices; commission asks designer to refine two directions

Norwalk arts commission approves Rowayton Elementary traffic-box mural by fifth-grade artist