Hartford Business Journal

2 0 C T I N N O V A T O R S , 2 0 2 2 "Creativity offers a common ground for people who turn vision into reality." – Shelley Best ford at the center of our work to restore the energy and vitality of this city aer all we've been through," says Bronin. To this end, in June, the City of Hartford announced plans to spend $5.85 million — part of the city's $112 million allocation from the American Rescue Plan — on arts and culture initiatives. Of that $5.85 million, Bronin says more than $1 million a year over the next three years will be committed to Hartford Creates, a program to fund visual and performing arts, in partnership with the Arts Council. "I think the Council is a natural partner in this work to involve our community and to empower Hartford's artists because that's a mission that is a priority for Shelley Best," Bronin says. Raising self-esteem Another priority for Best is raising Hartford's profile and self- esteem when it comes to its role as a center of arts and culture, not only in the state, but in the region. "You've got to claim who you are," she says. "For too long, Hartford has allowed itself to stay in the shadows between Boston and New York, but I believe it is New England's premier creative destination." As evidence, she points to the city's many artistic and cultural landmarks and institutions: the Wadsworth, America's oldest pub- lic art museum; the Hartford Courant, the nation's oldest news- paper; the Mark Twain House and Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, among others. e work of the Arts Council, she says, is to build upon these foundational legacies by focusing on three key pillars: "create, evolve, and belong." " 'Create' is looking for ways to increase creativity in new ways. 'Evolve' is shiing some of the business focus of the arts to build new audiences, and 'belong' is supporting arts that are accessible to everyone," says Best. Ambitious goals, perhaps. But for someone to whom paintings can be prayers, it follows that the arts have the power to transform not just individuals but entire communities. I Continued from page 19 Rev. Dr. Shelley Best (center) stands with her staff at the Greater Hartford Arts Council.

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