The Connecticut Arts Hero Awards honor and celebrate Connecticut residents who are doing extraordinary things in, for, or through the arts in Connecticut. Since 2016, the Connecticut Arts Hero Awards have introduced us to remarkable individuals engaged in or supporting the arts – some publically and some behind the scenes.

The Hero Awards will be presented at a very special, open-to-all, free event on May 6th, 2020 at Infinity Hall, Hartford. This evening event is designed to honor and celebrate these extraordinary individuals and to reaffirm the significant role the arts play in Connecticut. Please save the date!

The 2020 Connecticut Arts Hero Awards will be dedicated to the life and legacy of our dear friend, colleague and arts leader Elizabeth L. Mahaffey who passed away in October 2019. Ms. Mahaffey, affectionately known to many as Betsy, was an extraordinary mentor to young professionals pursuing a career in arts administration. The Elizabeth L. Mahaffey Arts Administration Fellowship was established upon her retirement after more than 20 years of dedicated service at the Connecticut Commission on the Arts. The Fellowship is awarded annually and provides funding to young arts administrators to help them advance their careers.

If you know a special someone who has contributed significantly to the arts in Connecticut, please take a moment to nominate this individual! You can do so by clicking the NOMINATION BUTTON below. The deadline to submit a nomination is February 3, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. We look forward to learning about YOUR Arts Hero!

Note: Arts Heroes are not awarded posthumously. Recipients must be able to accept the award in person on May 6th.