On Friday, May 2, several member museums of the Connecticut (CT) Art Trail were informed that current grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) will be terminated on May 31, 2025. This action follows the significant reductions to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)—a key federal agency supporting museums—as well as the cessation of grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Together, the NEA, IMLS, and NEH provide essential support to Connecticut museums and other cultural nonprofits. The termination of this federal funding is a severe blow to museum operations and undermines the ability of our local museums to serve the communities they represent.

The CT Art Trail member institutions are significant economic contributors to the state and are collectively proud of the role we play in the lives of our diverse communities. Equally important is the support that leaders at the local, state, and federal levels show for organizations dedicated to preserving and expressing culture and fostering the creativity that enriches our country. We ask that you join us in writing to Congress to urge the restoration of IMLS and the reinstatement of terminated federal grants. We also invite you to visit any of the CT Art Trail museums and organizations, and consider becoming a member if you are able.

We urge you to use your voice and influence to help restore federal support for Connecticut’s museums.

Several museums on the Connecticut Art Trail have opened registrations for their 2025 summer camps, which give children of all ages a chance to build their creativity and strengthen their artistic skills.

Art-themed summer camps include gallery tours, craftmaking, outdoor activities, and more. Most camps offer weekly sessions, with the ability to sign up for multiple sessions during the summer. Scholarships and discounts are available in many cases.

“Summer camps on the Connecticut Art Trail are an excellent way for both children and adults to discover the art museums in their community,” said Carey Weber, President of the Connecticut Art Trail and the Frank and Clara Meditz Executive Director at Fairfield University Art Museum. These programs offer an immersion in Connecticut’s rich art collections and activities designed to stimulate creativity, and they’re a great way for kids to enjoy the summer.” 

Summer camps scheduled at Connecticut Art Trail museums include:

• The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art: Camp Aldrich offers sessions for grades 1-3 from July 7-18 and for grades 4-6 from July 21-25
• American Mural Project: Summer@AMP and Teen Art Studio weekly programs explore a variety of themes including art play, band lab, and outdoor design and build. Available to ages 6-18, running June 23 to Aug. 1 
• Five Points Arts: Summer Teen Art Labs feature afternoon sessions four days a week from July 7 to Aug. 14. This is a free program designed to help young artists develop a strong portfolio.
• Florence Griswold Museum: The museum’s weekly summer programs include Wee Faerie Camp (June 10 to July 3), Intensive Camp for Middle School Students (June 23-27), and Art Colony Camp (July 7 to Aug. 8); sessions are available for grades 1-8.
• Greenwich Historical Society: Art & History Camps offer children in grades 2-8 an interactive experience on this historic campus, with three separate experiences available between July 14 and August 1.
• Hartford Art School Galleries: The Hartford Art School’s Pre-Collegiate Visual Arts Portfolio Workshop runs July 7 to Aug. 1. This is designed for high school students interested in pursuing an art career and helps them develop a portfolio to apply to art colleges and universities.
• Lyman Allyn Art Museum: The Summer Art Immersion program runs July 7 to August 1 and includes weekly sessions for ages 5-11.
• Mattatuck Museum: The School’s Out program has six week-long sessions between June 30 to Aug. 8 and is open to ages 6 and up.
• MoCA CT: Camp MoCA runs June 16th through Aug. 18 and is open to ages 4-10.
• Mystic Museum of Art: Junior Studio Camps and Specialty Camps are available to ages 3.5 to 15 between June 16 and Aug. 22.
• New Britain Museum of American Art: Weekly three day sessions are available for ages 6-12 from July 8-31.
• Silvermine Arts Center: Summer Art Studio week-long camps run from June 16 to Aug. 22 and are open to ages 3-17.
• Stamford Museum & Nature Center: Wonder Art Camp and Wild at Art Camp are open to ages 18 months to 3 years old, with two-day sessions available each week from June 30 to Aug. 8.

For more information on individual camps, including updates on registration availability, check the museum website.