GEORGETOWN – The Granite is the region’s newest church-turned nonprofit community arts and music venue that connects generations through live performance, dance, visual arts, wellness activities, and educational opportunities. It was recently named one of 11 bluegrass programs across eight states and Canada to receive grant funding from the IBMA Foundation to support bluegrass education and community programming initiatives.
“It’s a recognition that the program has gained enough momentum and attention to earn support at the national level,” said Austin Scelzo, program director for bluegrass and Old Time Music at The Granite and founder of the Connecticut Bluegrass Association. “As a lifelong resident of Connecticut, I recognize that this music is not as common or as visible than in the states where it originated – Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia.
“So, I feel reinvigorated and inspired to build up the community and continue to educate folks in my home state about this incredible American art form.”
Bluegrass at The Granite, which is located at 5 N. Main St. at the former Granite Church, presents monthly bluegrass nights alongside youth and adult music education programming. A newly developed 2026 series will feature coached and uncoached jam sessions, educational workshops, and performances by professional bands.
The IBMA Foundation awarded a total of $20,000 in 2026 project grants. The nonprofit organization supports programs that foster the growth of bluegrass music by investing in arts and culture initiatives, education, literary work, and historic preservation. According to its website, its mission is to “build a brighter future for bluegrass music.”
The Granite received a $2,000 grant from the foundation. The IBMA Foundation was created by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2007 with a bequest from the Richard Barnhart estate. Barnhart was a musician from northern Virginia who loved bluegrass and wanted to support educational programs for children.
“It’s important to our bluegrass program and a great vote of confidence in The Granite and the program Austin is building,” said Richard Wenning, executive director of The Granite. “The biggest challenge is raising enough money to keep the lights on. We’re handling this by building The Granite as a true community space with superb programming to build local and regional commitment for sustaining its financial future.”
This is the first time The Granite has received a grant from the IBMA Foundation. “It’s the largest organization that supports this music. More than just the fiscal support, winning this grant also means recognition at the annual World of Bluegrass Conference, which will be held in Chattanooga Tennessee this year,” Scelzo said. “The conference brings together all the biggest movers and shakers in the bluegrass community.”
Previously, the IBMA foundation has supported public education through “Bluegrass in the Schools” mini grants that have allowed Scelzo to bring educational programming to Ridgefield and South Windsor public schools, and soon to Danbury schools.
“This consistent public work has put Connecticut on the map as a state where the IBMA Foundation’s support is put to good use,” Scelzo added.
According to Trisha Tubbs, IBMA Foundation board chair and president, “We are grateful to donors who continue to support the Foundation. Project grants are the flagship program of the IBMA Foundation, dating back to 2011. We’re especially pleased to help fund important work across the U.S. and beyond with these annual grants that make an enormous difference in lives and communities.”
Nancy Cardwell, IBMA Foundation executive director, noted the foundation is pleased to help support bluegrass programming at The Granite in Redding.
“We’re aware of the rich tradition of bluegrass music in Connecticut from Phil Rosenthal to Austin Scelzo, and we’re proud to be a part of sharing bluegrass with the next generation of new listeners and musicians on a weekly basis in Redding,” Cardwell said. “The project grant review committee was especially impressed with the education-related aspects of the program at The Granite including workshops, coached jam sessions, mentorships, peer-to-peer learning, and of course the Wernick Method Jam class.”
According to Scelzo, the grant funds will support the production of live concerts and dances in addition to educational and community programming including banjo, fiddle, guitar, dobro, mandolin, bass, and harmony singing instruction. Scelzo has been working with Wenning to create sustainable systems to support additional programming.
“In addition to grants, donations, and fundraisers, we’re building live event ticketing structures that support artists, sustain operations at the Granite, and remain affordable to local families,” explained Scelzo. As Wenning noted, as a public charity, The Granite also relies on memberships and sponsorships to carry out its mission of preserving the national landmark church for future generations.
The town of Redding and neighboring communities have benefitted from the dedicated music and arts space.
“The opportunity to dance, sing, play, clap, or listen intently at The Granite brings new life to the town. We want our venue to become what people feel is their ‘Third Space,’ a term more common these days, especially as more people find themselves working from home,” Scelzo said. “I dream that The Granite becomes the premier center for folk and community arts and culture in Connecticut, much like the School of Jalopy in Brooklyn, Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, Club Passim in Boston, and 317 Main in Yarmouth, Maine.”
Much of this vision will be made real with the first coming together of our programming at the Planet Granite Festival this coming Sept. 19-20. Scelzo and Wenning are bringing together folk, country, bluegrass, and old-time music programs.
“We’ll have two step dancing, swing, line dancing, flatfooting, harmony singing instruction, a kids showcase, jamming classes, live music outdoors, food vendors and more. We’re excited to be inviting more folks into this wonderful space,” Scelzo said.
