FC Buzz: Cultural Alliance radio show digs for inside story

BY KRISTEN RUNK

Last month we organized a conversation among Fairfield County artists Duvian Montoya and Miggs Burroughs, artistic director of The INTAKE Organization, Angie Durrell, and founder of the Bridgeport Theatre Company, Christy McIntosh-Newsom. Our guests discussed what drove them to do what they do and how they help new, younger artists get their foot in the door. These artistic leaders were brought together to share their ideas thanks to a new live radio program produced by the Cultural Alliance, “Spotlight on Arts and Culture.” Our program airs the second Monday each month from noon to 1 p.m. on WPKN 89.5 FM, a longstanding media partner of the Cultural Alliance.

“Spotlight on Arts and Culture” gives us the chance to dig in a little deeper to find out what our area arts and culture organizations and creative individuals are thinking, doing, and creating. The program is produced and hosted by the Cultural Alliance”™s director of marketing and public relations Jennifer Bangser. Jennifer has led lively conversations about the contemporary art scene in Fairfield County, regional theaters, the importance of libraries in a community, outdoor summer programming and, most recently, creative individuals who are dedicated to creating a diverse and vibrant cultural landscape in the county.

Our program Sept. 8 will focus on Fairfield University”™s efforts to serve as a hub for intellectual and cultural enrichment for the greater community. Through programming at the Bellarmine Museum of Art, the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, Open VISIONS Forum, and the Inspired Writer”™s Series, the university brings innovative, exciting entertainment and enrichment to the area. The director”™s from all four of these cultural venues will be joining Jennifer in the studio on Sept. 8, live at noon.

We are very excited about this new program and the enthusiasm our members have shown for the opportunity to join in on the conversation. Our goal at the Cultural Alliance is to promote arts and culture in the community and we love to get people talking and thinking about how arts and culture can change and advance a society. What better way to do that than to give our incredible artists and organizations a platform from which to share their ideas? So tune in to “Spotlight on Arts & Culture” at Noon on the second Monday of every month on WPKN 89.5 FM.

Kristen Runk is interim executive director of the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County.