Interest in Connecticut Art Trail’s Passport-Journal program grew substantially in 2023 as more people embraced the opportunity to explore Connecticut’s world-class art museums, galleries, and cultural attractions.
There were a total of 880 Passport-Journal sales in 2023, a 79 percent increase compared to 2022. Of these transactions, 648 were sold as part of a year-end “buy one, get one” offer encouraging people to buy a Passport-Journal as a holiday gift. BOGO sales nearly doubled from the previous year, increasing 92 percent.
“The response to the Passport-Journal program has been amazing in the past year, and we’re excited that so many more people are signing up to see Connecticut’s incredible artistic attractions,” said Carey Mack Weber, President of the Connecticut Art Trail and the Frank and Clara Meditz Executive Director at Fairfield University Art Museum. “It’s especially heartening to see the growing popularity of the Passport-Journal as a unique holiday gift that opens the door to an entire year of new discoveries.”
Passport-Journal holders receive free admission to all Connecticut Art Trail sites for one year after purchase. Each site also offers additional benefits to holders, such as free gifts and museum store discounts.
The Passport-Journal can be purchased for $35 at any member site, or online at ctarttrail.org/passport.
Passport-Journal holders receive a sticker when they visit any Connecticut Art Trail site, and anyone who visits all 24 locations by Dec. 31st will be entered into a drawing for a grand prize giveaway. Delamar Hotels continues to partner with the Connecticut Art Trail to provide the grand prize of an overnight stay and a couples massage at the Delamar Hotel of the winner’s choice.
Does the winter season have you feeling blue? Our latest newsletter shows how you can escape the dreary weather to discover inspiring works by world-renowned artists as well as local and regional talent.
The newsletter features current and upcoming exhibitions and events from the 24 Connecticut Art Trail museums, as well as profiles of two member sites: Hill-Stead Museum and the Greenwich Historical Society / Bush-Holley House.
The year is still young, so pick up a Passport-Journal to enjoy free admission to all Connecticut Art Trail museums and be eligible for a grand prize giveaway!
The Connecticut Art Trail is pleased to announce its expansion to 24 member museums and cultural sites in 2024 with the addition of Eastern Connecticut State University’s Art Gallery (Eastern Art Gallery). Additionally, The Carousel Museum and Five Points Arts join as affiliate members. The expansion brings new opportunities for residents and visitors to participate in the Trail’s unique Passport program — providing access to rich cultural and arts experiences throughout the state.
The Eastern Art Gallery has been the university’s on-campus cultural incubator for four decades. The museum features exhibitions of contemporary art intended to inspire students, faculty, and the community and has dedicated itself to advancing the school’s public liberal arts mission. Eastern Art Gallery provides exhibition programming with depth and relevance to multiple disciplines and a diverse campus and community audience.
“We are thrilled to announce Eastern Art Gallery as the 24th member of the Connecticut Art Trail and sixth location in eastern Connecticut,” said Carey Mack Weber, President of the Connecticut Art Trail and the Frank and Clara Meditz Executive Director at the Fairfield University Art Museum. “Eastern Art Gallery and the university are tremendous partners in championing our state’s incredible creative and cultural spaces. Also, the addition of The Carousel Museum and Five Points Arts as affiliate members further diversify the cultural landscape available to all Connecticut Art Trail Passport holders.”
The Art Trail’s expansion signifies an unwavering commitment to making art accessible to everyone. For $35 art enthusiasts can purchase a Passport at ctarttrail.org or a member museum. Good for the year, the Passport provides one-time admission to each of 24 locations – 24 museums and the two affiliate members. This affordability aligns perfectly with the rising trend of “third spaces” – welcoming environments outside of home and work where individuals can connect, relax, and engage in enriching low-cost or no-cost activities. With more than two dozen unique destinations to explore, the Connecticut Art Trail offers a tremendous opportunity for residents and visitors to tap into accessible cultural experiences in every corner of Connecticut.
Trail explorers can gain more than an enriching experience by visiting Connecticut Art Trail museums and cultural sites. With every sticker collected at a participating museum, Trail explorers are one step closer to being entered in a grand prize drawing. Collect all 24 unique stickers and drop the completed Passport off at your final museum destination to be eligible for an overnight stay for two at the Delamar West Hartford — complete with a couples massage.
The Connecticut Art Trail is offering a special promotion for the holiday season, inviting anyone who purchases a Connecticut Art Trail Passport-Journal to receive a second at no charge.
The Passport-Journal is a signature offering of the Connecticut Art Trail, granting the holder free admission to all 24 member museums and cultural sites on the Trail for one year. It also provides a variety of other perks, including discounts, free admission for guests, and complimentary gifts.
“The Passport-Journal is the best way to experience the Connecticut Art Trail, offering a great incentive to explore our state’s rich artistic offerings,” said Carey Mack Weber, President of the Connecticut Art Trail and the Frank and Clara Meditz Executive Director at Fairfield University Art Museum. “The buy one, get one offer invites people to take full advantage of the Passport-Journal’s benefits, giving them an opportunity to experience the Trail as a family.”
Delamar Hotels will again sponsor a grand prize giveaway in 2024, offering an overnight stay and 60-minute couple’s massage at a Delamar Hotel location chosen by the winner. Anyone who visits all Connecticut Art Trail sites and returns a completed Passport-Journal is eligible for a drawing for this prize.
The Passport-Journal includes information on each member of the Connecticut Art Trail as well as sections for holders to take notes, record their favorite places and best moments, and sketch a favorite location or piece of art. It can be purchased online or in person at any member location for $35.
The buy one, get one deal is available from November 15th through December 30th. Anyone can redeem this offer by setting the quantity of Passport-Journals they would like to purchase at two; they will only be charged for one Passport-Journal at checkout.
The Connecticut Art Trail has launched a new campaign encouraging people to take advantage of the autumn season by mapping out adventures at the state’s art museums.
“Map It Out” invites residents and visitors to experience the Connecticut Art Trail by seeing multiple museums in a single day or weekend. The organization is sharing routes that highlight museums in close proximity, posting suggestions for these trips on its social media channels. The campaign also highlights individual museums, encouraging people to include them on their itinerary during fall trips.
“Connecticut’s landscapes have been inspiring artists for years, and it’s a particularly popular time for people to enjoy the changing scenery before the chilly winter months arrive,” said Carey Mack Weber, President of the Connecticut Art Trail and the Frank and Clara Meditz Executive Director at Fairfield University Art Museum. “Many of our member museums are just a short drive away from one another, making it easy to spend a full day experiencing some of Connecticut’s great cultural attractions.”
Map It Out is also a way to help all holders of the Connecticut Art Trail’s Passport-Journal to complete this document before the end of the year. The Passport-Journal grants free admission to all member museums on the Trail for one year after purchase. Anyone who visits all of these museums during the calendar year is eligible for a grand prize giveaway of an overnight stay for two and couples massage at the Delamar Hotel of their choice.
Passport-Journals are available for purchase on the Connecticut Art Trail website or at any member museum for $35.