BY KRISTEN RUNK
Sometimes it is hard to explain what we do at the Cultural Alliance. Part of that is because the organizations, people and businesses we support are the ones creating the tangible product and work while we are providing the support to help them create. However, sometimes it”™s just because “arts and culture” is such a broad category and we want to help the entire field, including those areas that aren”™t immediately recognized.
We do support the artists, theaters, museums and symphonies in the area, but did you know that we also support the nature centers? The libraries? The historical societies?
We are constantly striving to make an impact on all arts and culture throughout Fairfield County. As an example, we heard that preservationists and preservation societies felt isolated ”” that they wanted a way to come together with other like-minded professionals and volunteers to discuss the challenges and issues everyone was facing day to day in historic preservation. We convened a group of interested parties to develop the structure of this network, the benefits of joining and the needs of this group. We are excited to announce that this year we will be kicking off our Fairfield County Preservation Network.
Like the Cultural Alliance, preservationists are often working in the background. One marvels at the beautiful historic barn, but is perhaps unaware of the years that went into saving and restoring the structure. One notices the widely varied historic bridges on the Merritt Parkway, but doesn”™t consider that there are women and men working hard to maintain those bridges and ensure that any repair preserves their unique architecture.
There is a lot of hard work being done all around us in the arts and culture field that goes unseen and unsung. Here at the Cultural Alliance we are proud to give these efforts a collective voice, and to offer these dedicated individuals the opportunity to come together, solve problems as a team and grow as a community.
Kristen Runk is interim executive director of the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County. For more information, visit CulturalAllianceFC.org, email infoCulturalAllianceFC.org or call 256-2329.
