The Middletown Commission on the Arts (MCA) is pleased to announce that we are celebrating 50 years of accomplishments in the Middletown Arts community.  This has happened because of organizations, communities, and individuals like you, who have consistently and creatively represented the best our city has to offer its citizens over the span of five decades. 

It’s been quite a transformation for the MCA, and your efforts are critical to where we are now. In 2022, the commission recognizes and pays tribute to 50 years of supporting the interests and engagement in arts and culture by providing services, resources, information and events to and for artist’s, organizations, and the public. 

The MCA's 50th anniversary celebrations will run through January 2023, featuring a yearlong of initiatives and activities to recognize Middletown's commitment to the arts, and setting the stage for even more robust, diverse and inclusive arts programming to better serve the Middletown community in the future. The MCA is especially interested in opening the dialogue of citizens by asking "What’s YOUR Art?” with the goal of helping everyone realize they have an artist within themselves. 

MCA Commissioner Barbara Arafeh stated, “Having been in the arts generally for so many years and in Middletown's arts scene, especially music, I want to both share as well as support others through my role as a MCA Commissioner.”

MCA Commissioner Charlotte McCoid stated, “Middletown may be a smaller city but the impact of the arts is large for its size. The Arts kit the community together, creating a kaleidoscope of choices for the pubic to partake in or enjoy. They highlight our cultural diversity through theater, music, dance, visual arts, creative play and more. The Arts are an economic engine, and the MCA’s role is to maintain and promote this circle of mutual achievement.”

MCA Commissioner and commission Vice Chair Lee Godburn explains, “as Chair of the planning committee assigned with the project of recognizing our 50th anniversary, I am working closely with the Commission Chair, the City Arts Coordinator, the Mayor’s office and the entire Arts Commission to make this event not only a memorable celebration of the past but a strong step into the future of arts for the next 50 years. Some of the long term projects we are planning to emphasize in our yearlong celebration will include strengthening the Arts Office the community has come to rely upon. Making sure we expand our efforts to bring arts to all of our Middletown residents, not just to those downtown but to those on the outskirts by Cromwell and Durham. We are looking to make art a strong presence in the riverfront project that will positively and forever change the scope of our city. Throughout 2022 citizens of Middletown should look for special 50th projects presented by ourselves and our local arts partners. Feel welcomed to come join in any celebration sponsored by the MCA, we are doing this to share the arts with you. We believe everyone has at least a bit of artist in them and our goal is to connect with as many as we can, this year and beyond.”

Mayor Ben Florsheim said, “I want to congratulate the MCA on 50 remarkable years, and to thank all those who have served over the course of that time. And I am so excited for the bright days ahead that our arts community has to look forward to. This is a celebration of the MCA’s history as well as its future, and I’m looking forward to experiencing it with all friends and supporters of the arts in Middletown.”

The MCA will kick off their spring activities with the announcement of the Arts Advocacy Award and the Middletown High School Senior Art Award recipients, Summer Sounds Community Concert Series, the annual 4th of July Fireworks Celebration, Kids Arts/The Children’s Circus of Middletown, upcoming Municipal Arts Grants opportunities, and special events for the fall 2022 season. Stay tuned for updates on all things art in the City of Middletown. 

What’s YOUR art? Let us know!

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