Funds Paint Bright Picture For Future of 'Healing Newtown'

People have many ways of dealing with tragedy, and due to the hard work of many area residents and donations from around the globe, healing through the arts will continue to be an option in Newtown.

“Healing Newtown” is a support fund built out of a partnership with the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut and the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. The fund grossed more than $137,000 since December, and Monday the cultural alliance officially transferred that money over to the town of Newtown.

“We are deeply humbled by the incredible support from across the country and parts of the world,” said Lisa Scails, Executive Director of the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut. “It’s extremely gratifying to see the power of the arts in action.”

Scails said the commission, as an agent of the town, is in the best position to control the funds, but following the transfer the alliance will continue to advise and consult with the commission as needed.

To learn more about Healing Newtown and its mission, and to support their cause in the community, check out the organization's page on PatchWorks.

“The arts are one of the first things we turn to when we need to express our hurt and hope, and that’s really what has happened here in Newtown,” said Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra. “We’re very, very grateful to have had this partnership.”

The money from the Healing Newtown fund will be designated specifically for the purpose of cultural arts and not put in the town’s general fund, according to Llodra.

Llodra said the goal is to find a permanent place for the arts in Newtown and that this transfer is a wonderful springboard for that to happen.

Robert Rabinowitz, Secretary of the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission, echoed Llodra’s sentiments, reinforcing the goal of an arts center in Newtown at some point in the future.

“The important thing here is the arts in Newtown,” said Rabinowitz. “We’re moving past the healing, and we’re moving towards the goal of having a Newtown Cultural Arts Center. Whether that’s a year from now or five years, or however long it takes, we’ll continue that mission.”